Alessio Isaia plays online at Full Tilt Poker.

Italian native Alessio Isaia started playing poker in 2005 and chose to turn pro a year and a half later. Drawn to the game after watching poker on TV, he began his career by playing online. Alessio used the prize money from his first tournament victory to concentrate on improving his game. He soon moved on to live ring games and local tournaments and steadily built his bankroll by applying good money management.

A solid player on the live European circuit in 2006 and 2007, 2008 was Alessio’s break-through year. He placed 2nd in the $3,000 No-Limit Hold 'em event at Bellagio Cup IV and walked away with more than $130K. He also won the €3,000 No Limit Hold 'em Royal Poker Tour in Sharm el Sheikh, which awarded over $44K in prize money. At the 2008 World Series of Poker, Alessio made two final tables, finishing 4th in the $1,500 Seven-Card Stud Hi/Lo event for over $50K, and 6th in the $5,000 World Championship Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo event, winning more than $58K.

The Italian won his first major tournament at the 2009 IPT San Remo Main Event in December 2009. He took down the first prize in the €2K buy-in event for €140,000.

In 2011, Alessio became the first Italian to win a WPT Championship title when he won the WPT Venice. He bested a field of 523 players, including an epic heads-up battle that lasted over eight hours, to win the first prize of €380,000.

When Alessio is not playing poker, he loves to show off his moves on the ski slopes. He also enjoys watching films and travelling the world. If you’d like to see him in action at the tables, look for him online at Full Tilt Poker.