Marc Alioto

Marc Alioto developed a passion for competitive games at an early age. At seven, he played gin rummy with his grandfather, later moving on to competitive chess in elementary school and Magic: The Gathering as a teenager. This foundation in skill-based games paved the way for his entry into poker.

Alioto started playing poker in college after Chris Moneymaker's 2003 WSOP victory sparked widespread interest. Initially a sports gambler, he began with small home games. After dropping out of school, he worked for the family business while depositing his paychecks into online poker sites. Early results were poor due to a lack of bankroll management and skill. A turning point came when he lucked into a PCA (PokerStars Caribbean Adventure) seat, meeting influential players who helped him realize poker was his calling.

With a bankroll of around $1,000, he started grinding $30 9-man non-turbo sit-and-goes, then transitioned into $50 Double or Nothing (DON) SNGs on PokerStars. Under the mentorship of Casey “bigdogpckt5s” Jarzabek, he shifted focus to online multi-table tournaments. This regimen quickly elevated his game.

After just two years of intensive MTT study, Alioto achieved the title of #1 ranked MTT player on the Merge Network in 2014. He balances his time between grinding online tournaments, playing live at the WSOP, and creating instructional content. He is a Lock Poker pro and a featured instructor at Tournament Poker Edge, where he aims to simplify poker strategy for members. His online alias is “aznAllin007.”

Alioto has also shared his expertise on the “Mindset Advantage Podcast” with Elliot Roe, discussing the importance of mental preparation and overcoming early career frustrations.

Marc Alioto has recorded four cashes at the World Series of Poker (WSOP) between 2013 and 2016, all in No-Limit Hold’em events. His best finish came in 2015 in Event #47: $2,500 No-Limit Hold’em, placing 27th out of 1,244 entrants for $16,640. Other notable results include:

• 2016 WSOP Event #50: $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em Shootout – 73rd place ($4,955)
• 2014 WSOP Event #19: $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em – 177th place ($2,872)
• 2013 WSOP Event #11: $2,500 No-Limit Hold’em 6-Handed – 19th place ($14,042)

He has not yet won a WSOP bracelet or ring, nor made a final table, but his consistent deep runs reflect solid tournament skills.

Alioto is known for adapting his play to tournament dynamics. He uses Hold’em Manager 2 and recommends starting with basic HUD stats: Hands Played, VPIP, PFR, and 3bet%. He emphasizes adjusting these stats based on blind levels and antes—for example, his own VPIP/PFR/3bet shifts from 14/10/4 pre-ante to 25/22/9.5 post-ante. He values stats like Early Position Steal and Turn Continuation Bet to exploit opponents’ tendencies. While he considers his HUD crucial, especially when multi-tabling, he warns against relying on it too heavily late in tournaments.

Marc Alioto’s career illustrates the importance of persistence and structured learning. From early losses to becoming a top MTT player on a major network, he continues to compete and educate others in the poker community.