Michael Rossi

Michael Rossi is a professional poker player based in Tampa, Florida, United States. his total live earnings exceed $434,000, with a best cash of $148,200. He first made headlines in the poker world not for his overall ranking but for a storybook run in 2023 that echoed the legendary Chris Moneymaker's 2003 WSOP Main Event triumph.

In May 2023, Rossi busted out of a live tournament and, with rakeback funds remaining in his America's Card Room account, decided to enter a $90 satellite. The satellite awarded 25 seats to the $2,500 Moneymaker Tour Main Event at the Palm Beach Kennel Club. Rossi won the satellite on his first bullet, securing a seat.

A few days later, on the exact 20-year anniversary of Chris Moneymaker's satellite victory in 2003, Rossi took down the Moneymaker Tour Main Event. He defeated a tough final table that included two-time WPT champion James Carroll and Stephen Song, who have combined winnings of over $10 million. Rossi entered heads-up play with a 3-to-1 chip deficit but caught a rush of cards to win the tournament and $134,265.

In a phone call during heads-up play, Moneymaker told Phil Nagy that if Rossi won, they should gift him a WSOP Main Event seat. Nagy famously replied, "Screw the Main Event, let's put him in Triton." Rossi ultimately received both a $10,000 WSOP Main Event entry and a $100,000 Triton London package, thanks to Moneymaker and Nagy's generosity.

Rossi's biggest live cash came before the Moneymaker Tour win, with a $148,200 score according to The Hendon Mob database. He has cashed in numerous events over the years, with total live earnings of $434,161 as of his last recorded results. His victory in the Moneymaker Tour event significantly boosted his career totals.

In addition to the WSOP and Triton packages, Rossi was also gifted a $125,000 package to the ACR High Stakes Adventure London, which includes $110,000 in buy-ins and $15,000 for travel and accommodations. He planned to attend both the 2023 WSOP Main Event and the London high roller series.

Rossi works at a beverage manufacturing company and admitted after his win that he would need to have a conversation with his boss about taking time off for poker. He described himself as having a small crew of family and friends who support him. Rossi's Cinderella story captured the imagination of the poker community, proving that the spirit of the Moneymaker era is alive and well.