Massimiliano Mino

Massimiliano Mino, known online as "MAXDUMBO," is an Italian poker player who gained notable recognition after winning the PokerStars SCOOP Main Event in 2024. A dedicated enthusiast rather than a full-time professional, Mino has been involved in poker for over two decades, balancing the game with a diverse career in sales and business.

Mino's poker journey began like many others, playing socially with friends and then moving online. Around the year 2000, he opened his first account on GD Poker and started playing sit & go tournaments live at a poker room in Turin. He later organized home games with a league system, where players contributed to a fund that sent winners to Saint Vincent for events like the Mini IPT or Poker GrandPrix. This early structure helped him develop his skills and passion for the game.

In May 2024, Mino won the PokerStars SCOOP Main Event, a €100 buy-in tournament with a €400,000 guarantee. The event attracted 4,245 entries, and Mino triumphed as "MAXDUMBO" after a deal at the final table. His first-place prize was over €22,000, which also included Mystery Bounty rewards. The victory was a career-defining moment, as his previous largest online cash was less than €3,000. Mino described the tournament as "practically perfect," citing good timing and strategic play, including a successful hero call on Day 2 that propelled him to the chip lead. He made a deal when short-handed, which secured a substantial payout.

Outside of poker, Mino has worked in various sales roles, including as a key account manager for an antinfortunistica company and as a sales manager for Bofrost Italia. He also co-founded the escape room brand Intrappola.To in Madrid, expanding it to Spain via franchising. At the time of the interview, he was unemployed and considering moving to the Canary Islands to pursue kitesurfing, a passion he discovered recently. Part of his SCOOP winnings were reinvested into live tournaments, such as IPO Sanremo, where he cashed in three out of four events, including a final table deal. He also planned to play a €2 million guaranteed tournament in Rozvadov in July 2024.

Mino appreciates Mystery Bounty and bounty formats, stating they suit his style of play. He is known for making hero calls and timing his aggression well. Online, he prefers MTTs on PokerStars, but also enjoys live tournaments. He describes poker as a passion and entertainment, with monetary success being a secondary goal.

While Mino is not a household name in poker, his SCOOP victory showcased his skills on a significant stage. He remains a dedicated amateur who balances poker with his other interests, and his story resonates with many recreational players who dream of a big win.