Michael Rossitto
Italy
Michael Rossitto is an Italian professional poker player best known for winning the 2023 Wynn Millions Main Event for $604,637. He has over $5.4 million in live tournament earnings and has come close to WSOP glory with runner-up and third-place finishes in 2025.
Early Career and Online Success
Michael Rossitto began his poker career online, playing under the alias "Aquafina93" on major platforms. He amassed over $414,000 in online tournament winnings, honing his skills in high-volume multi-table tournaments. His consistent performance in online events provided a strong foundation for his transition to live poker, where he quickly made his mark on the European and international circuits.
Major Tournament Victory: 2023 Wynn Millions
Rossitto's biggest career score came in 2023 when he won the $3,500 Wynn Millions Main Event. He topped a field of 1,314 runners, defeating Andrew Esposito heads-up to capture the $604,637 first-place prize. In his post-win interview with PokerNews, Rossitto explained his strategy: "I just waited for good hands early on until I got chips and could play more aggressively." This victory established him as a formidable force in live tournaments.
World Series of Poker Near Misses
Rossitto has come tantalizingly close to winning a WSOP bracelet. In 2025, he finished as the runner-up in Event #X: $1,500 Shootout No-Limit Hold'em, narrowly missing the title. He also placed third in Event #Y: $1,500 Freezeout No-Limit Hold'em that same summer. These deep runs demonstrated his ability to compete against the world's best, earning him recognition as a serious contender in every event he enters.
2026 WSOP Main Event Run
At the 2026 World Series of Poker, Rossitto entered the $10,000 Main Event, which drew 9,208 players (the fourth-largest field in history). After two starting days, he emerged as the Day 2d chip leader with 770,500 chips, leading a field that included numerous bracelet winners and former champions. The event's $10 million first prize and the coveted bracelet await the eventual winner, and Rossitto's deep stack positions him as a major threat. Among the other notables still in contention were Alex Foxen, Brian Hastings, and defending champion Michael Mizrachi.
Playing Approach
Rossitto employs a mathematically rigorous style that emphasizes positional advantage and aggression. He tends to play a wider range from late positions and frequently applies pressure with continuation bets post-flop. His pre-flop decisions are based on stack sizes and opponent tendencies, and he adjusts his aggression level dynamically. "I just waited for good hands early on until I got chips and could play more aggressively," he noted, reflecting his adaptive approach that balances patience with calculated risk.
Legacy and Future
With live tournament earnings exceeding $5.4 million, Rossitto is one of Italy's most successful poker players. His close calls at the WSOP and his chip lead in the 2026 Main Event suggest that a bracelet is within reach. As he continues to compete at the highest levels, both online and live, he represents the new wave of technical Italian players who have made a significant impact on the global poker scene. Fans and peers alike expect him to achieve even greater successes in the years ahead.
Online Poker Achievements
Rossitto played online under the alias "Aquafina93" on major platforms, where his account is now closed. According to online tracking sites, his online tournament record includes 0 bracelets, 0 rings, 8 final tables, and 63 cashes, totaling $414,356 in earnings. These results show his early proficiency and volume, laying the groundwork for his transition to live poker.
Live Tournament Summary
As tracked by The Hendon Mob, Rossitto's live tournament earnings exceed $5.4 million as of 2026. He has 0 WSOP bracelets, 0 rings, 16 final tables, and 87 cashes in live events. His career-best score remains the $604,637 for winning the 2023 Wynn Millions Main Event. He also boasts multiple WSOP near-misses, including a runner-up and a third-place finish in 2025, underscoring his consistent high-level performance.
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