Michael P Dentale
United States
Michael P Dentale is a Brooklyn-born poker pro known for his aggressive style and confrontational personality, with over $2.3 million in live earnings and a memorable heads-up loss to Cate Hall.
Early Career and Major Tournament Success
Michael P Dentale, a native of Brooklyn, New York, began his poker career playing in live tournaments across the United States. his total live tournament earnings stand at $2,344,911, placing him 1,173rd on the all-time money list and making him one of the top earners from New York (66th on the New York all-time list). His largest single cash came in 2015 when he won the Borgata Fall Poker Open in Atlantic City, taking home $336,331. This victory established Dentale as a force in the East Coast poker scene, particularly at venues like Parx Casino in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, where he has consistently cashed and ranks among the venue's leading money winners. Over the years, Dentale has amassed numerous cashes, demonstrating a steady ability to perform in medium- to high-stakes tournaments. His approach is characterized by a solid, aggressive style suited to deep-stack play, and he has often been described as a "musclebound poker pro" with a no-nonsense table presence.
Heads-Up Grudge Match with Cate Hall
In 2017, Dentale became embroiled in a heated Twitter exchange with fellow pro Cate Hall. The feud escalated when Dentale referred to Hall as a “broke homeless crackhead” and a “cunt,” prompting Hall to call him a “pathetic sad sack.” The dispute was settled in a heads-up match organized as part of the #HU4Rollz series. Dentale faced Hall in a two-match format and lost 2-0, a result that was widely covered in poker media. The match highlighted Dentale's volatility and his willingness to engage in personal confrontations away from the felt. Despite the loss, the event drew significant attention to his persona as a combative and colorful character in the poker world.
Legal Troubles and Court Appearance
In April 2019, Dentale found himself in a courtroom rather than a casino. He appeared on the television show The People’s Court in a dispute over a bathroom renovation. The case involved Japanese tiles and a window installation that had gone wrong. Judge Marilyn Milian ruled against Dentale, ordering him to pay $350. Dentale himself tweeted about the experience, and the story was picked up by poker news outlets. One Reddit user quipped that Dentale was “accused of making a 'shitty bluff'.” Though a minor incident, it added to his reputation as a figure whose off-table life occasionally intersects with the absurd.
Overall Legacy and Playing Style
Michael P Dentale is not a household name in global poker, but his results and confrontational personality have earned him a niche following. He is ranked 586th on the United States all-time money list and is a regular on the Mid-Atlantic tournament circuit. His playing style is aggressive and confrontational, mirroring his off-table demeanor. While he has not achieved the same level of fame as some of his peers, his ability to consistently cash in significant events and his memorable legal and personal controversies ensure he remains a notable figure in American poker. For aspiring players, Dentale's career illustrates that success in poker often requires both technical skill and a resilient—if occasionally combative—character.
Additional Legal and Media Appearances
Beyond the 2019 People's Court episode (season 20, episode 101), Dentale has been the subject of poker media coverage for various off-table antics. The bathroom renovation dispute centered specifically on a window and Japanese tiles that were not installed to the plaintiff's satisfaction. Judge Marilyn Milian ruled in favor of the plaintiff, ordering Dentale to pay $350 in damages. The case was widely shared on social media, with one Reddit user humorously commenting that he was "accused of making a 'shitty bluff'." This incident, though minor, further cemented his reputation as a colorful character whose life outside poker often makes news. Dentale has also achieved the $2,000,000 milestone in live earnings, a mark that places him among the more successful grinders on the East Coast circuit.
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