Thomas Marchese

Thomas Marchese was born on September 30, 1987, in Parsippany, New Jersey, and now resides in Las Vegas, Nevada. He began his poker career online under the screen name "Kingsofcards" on Full Tilt Poker, where he played very high-stakes no-limit hold'em. His early online success paved the way for a stellar live tournament career.

In 2010, Marchese was named the Card Player Player of the Year, making 11 final tables and winning the NAPT event at The Venetian. He finished 14th in the 2016 WSOP Main Event, his best showing in poker's most prestigious tournament. Marchese captured his first WSOP bracelet in 2023, winning the $1,000 No-Limit Hold'em 6-Max Championship Online for $195,963. He has multiple WSOP final tables and over 19 WSOP money finishes. As of 2025, his live tournament earnings exceed $19 million, placing him 64th on the all-time money list, with a best live cash of $1,574,518.

Marchese has excelled in high roller events, particularly at the Aria Resort & Casino. In 2015, he won back-to-back Aria High Roller events, netting $681,876 combined. On July 3, 2019, he won the partypokerLIVE MILLIONS Vegas event at the Aria for $1,000,000, his third seven-figure cash at the venue. He also placed 5th in a 2020 Aria Winter High Roller Series event for $28,000.

Marchese has a total of 19 tournament wins and 123 recorded cashes in live and online events. Notable cashes include 72nd in the 2021 WPT Five Diamond World Poker Classic ($21,045), 38th in the 2021 Wynn Millions ($57,952), and 104th in the 2021 SHR Poker Open ($11,340). He also has deep runs in WSOP online events, such as a 9th place in the $3,200 NLHE event in 2023 ($22,493) and a 12th place in a $500 PLO Six Max event ($5,935).

Marchese is known for his aggressive, modern playing style, frequently using continuation bets after raising preflop to apply pressure. He is considered one of the top no-limit hold'em players in the world, particularly in heads-up and six-max formats. His calm demeanor at the table has earned him a reputation as a "poker robot."

Thomas Marchese is widely regarded as an elite player who has achieved success across both online and live poker. His ability to perform in high-pressure, high-stakes situations has solidified his place among the game's best. With over $19 million in career earnings and a WSOP bracelet, he continues to be a force in major tournaments.

Marchese has made two final tables and four money finishes on the World Poker Tour (WPT). Although he has not won a WPT title, he has earned over $100,000 in WPT events. His best WPT cash came from a 16th-place finish in the 2015 WPT Bicycle Main Event for $17,782. He also cashed in the 2012 WPT Commerce Main Event (25th, $34,260), the 2018 WPT Five Diamond World Poker Classic (61st, $28,780), and the 2021 WPT Five Diamond World Poker Classic (72nd, $21,045). These results demonstrate his consistency in WPT fields.

Marchese is a prolific online player, having earned over $629,000 in WSOP.com online events alone. He secured his first WSOP bracelet in the 2023 WSOP Online $1,000 No-Limit Hold'em 6-Max Championship, worth $195,963. He also has deep online runs such as a 9th-place finish in a $3,200 NLHE event ($22,493) and a 12th-place in a $500 PLO Six Max event ($5,935) in 2020. Overall, Marchese has 14 online WSOP cashes with 2 final tables. His online screen name "Kingsofcards" was well-known in high-stakes games on Full Tilt Poker.

Marchese has one final table and one money finish on the European Poker Tour (EPT). While specific details of his EPT results are limited, this achievement highlights his ability to perform across different international poker circuits.

Marchese is active on Twitter under the handle @BigCheese_poker, where he engages with the poker community. He is also known by the online alias "Kingsofcards" on Full Tilt Poker, under which he played high-stakes games. His online presence reflects his status as a top player.

Marchese's victory in the partypoker MILLIONS main event, a high-stakes tournament series, stands as a highlight of his tournament career. The win added a major title and a substantial cash prize to his already impressive resume.

Marchese became the first player from the United States to cross the $19,000,000 milestone in live tournament earnings, a testament to his consistent success at the highest levels of the game.