Anthony Spinella
United States
Anthony Spinella is an American professional poker player with more than $4.7 million in live tournament earnings and over 250 recorded cashes. He made history in 2015 by winning the first-ever WSOP.com online bracelet, and his largest live payday came as runner-up in the 2017 WPT Bay 101 Shooting Star for $786,610. He is also known for a fifth-place finish in the 2022 WSOP Monster Stack for $260,315.
Overview
Anthony Spinella is an American professional poker player originally from Port Jefferson, New York, who has also been listed as based in North Carolina and currently resides in Mexico. His live tournament earnings have surpassed $4.7 million, with recent database records showing $4,757,404 across more than 250 cashes. Spinella's Global Poker Index ranking is 2,175, reflecting his sustained presence on the international tournament scene. Including online tournament winnings, his combined career earnings exceed $5.2 million. He combines consistent live results with a pioneering online resume, having won the first online bracelet ever awarded on WSOP.com.
Early Career and First Cash
Spinella's first recorded tournament cash dates back to 2007. In the years that followed, he established himself as a regular on the live circuit, particularly in World Poker Tour events. One of his earliest notable deep runs came at the 2009 WPT Bellagio Cup V, where he finished 10th for $46,485. That result foreshadowed a career built on long, grinding days and deep finishes in major tournaments.
Major Live Tournament Results
Spinella's largest career score came in March 2017 at the WPT Bay 101 Shooting Star in San Jose. The $7,150 buy-in main event saw Spinella navigate a tough field before reaching heads-up play against Samuel Panzica II. After striking a deal, Spinella took home $786,610 as the runner-up, the biggest cash of his career.
Earlier in 2017, Spinella finished fourth in the WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown $25,500 High Roller for $240,700. He had previously placed sixth in the 2016 WPT L.A. Poker Classic for $191,250, another deep run in one of the WPT's most prestigious events. These results made Spinella a frequent presence on WPT leaderboards and in tournament recaps. He has also been involved in notable feature hands at major events, including WPT championship coverage that highlighted a million-chip pot where kings cracked aces.
World Series of Poker Achievements
At the 2022 World Series of Poker, Spinella delivered one of his best live performances in Event #21: $1,500 Monster Stack No-Limit Hold'em. He finished fifth out of a massive field, earning $260,315, which remains his second-largest live tournament payday. He also cashed in the 2022 WSOP Main Event, finishing 729th for $21,000.
Spinella's overall WSOP results include more than $1.4 million in earnings. He has repeatedly made deep runs in both no-limit hold'em marathons and high-buy-in events, adding to his reputation as a durable and patient tournament player.
Online Poker Success and Circuit Rings
Spinella made history in 2015 by winning the first-ever WSOP.com online bracelet. The event was Event #64: $1,000 WSOP.com Online No-Limit Hold'em, and the victory paid $197,743. That milestone put his name in the poker record books as the first player to capture an online WSOP bracelet on WSOP.com.
Spinella has also found success on the WSOP Circuit, winning two rings. The most significant came in December 2019, when he won the WSOP Circuit Harrah's Las Vegas $1,700 Main Event for $192,199. The win was widely covered and demonstrated his ability to close out large fields beyond the Las Vegas summer series.
Recent Form
Spinella has remained an active tournament player into 2025. His recorded cash count has grown past 250, with live earnings listed as high as $4,757,404. His most recent reported cash at the end of 2025 was for $50,000, recorded on 10 December 2025. Other 2025 cashes include $15,545 in November and $1,600 in May, showing his continued presence on the tournament circuit.
Playing Style and Reputation
Spinella is widely viewed as a disciplined, tight-aggressive grinder who leans on solid fundamentals, selective aggression, and patience. His best results have come in large-field events where avoiding variance and managing a deep stack are crucial. He has earned respect from fellow pros and media alike for his consistency across the WPT, WSOP, WSOP Circuit, and online formats.
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