Italian Poker Pro Wins $1.7 Million at 2014 EPT

The longest heads-up battle in EPT history ended in an amazing $1,715,439 win for Italian poker player Antonio Buonanno.

It took 10 hours of heads-up play for Antonio Buonanno to win the grand prize at this year’s European Poker Tour (EPT), but it was worth it. The Italian poker pro won $1,715,439 after defeating Britain’s Jack Salter.

“It was very hard and very long. Salter is a good player and it was very difficult to win this EPT,” Buonanno told reporters. “I played five days very short-stacked but I think I played good poker yesterday and today,” he added.

The event was organized by PokerStars and the Monte Carlo Casino, and was held in one of the best Monacan poker rooms.

From clothing store owner to poker pro

According to the latest gambling news, Buonanno took the title, the trophy, the $1,715,439 prize, as well as 2,100 Card Player Player of the Year points. This will be enough to move him into a tie for 10th place in the overall Player of the Year race standings.

The Italian used to own a clothing store and decided to become a professional poker player. Things have worked out well with his new career, as he traveled the EPT circuit for the past four years and has won a World Series of Poker title.

Payouts awarded at the 2014 EPT final table:

1. Antonio Buonanno – $1,715,439
2. Jack Salter – $1,058,315
3. Malte Moennig – $756,730
4. Mayu Roca Uribe – $579,653
5. Magnus Karlsson – $459,295
6. Sebastian Von Toperczer – $357,337
7. Kenneth Hicks Jr – $260,774
8. Sebastian Bredthauer – $178,184