Pat Pezzin lets out a wry chuckle when informed his daughter was simply 9 years previous the final time he spoke to PokerNews. She’s 21 now, freshly graduated from college, and Pezzin’s first cease after the 2025 World Collection of Poker will likely be again residence to Canada to rejoice her achievement.
If it looks as if a very long time since Pezzin was final cashing on poker’s greatest stage, that’s as a result of it has been – lengthy sufficient for a little bit lady to develop into a school grad. However within the late 2000s, Pezzin was a daily fixture on the latter levels of a number of the greatest poker occasions.
His career-best rating got here on the 2009 WSOP, the place he completed runner-up to Greg “FBT” Mueller within the $10,000 World Championship Restrict Maintain’em for $285,195. Different highlights embrace fourth within the 2007 $5,000 World Championship Seven-Card Stud, eighth within the 2008 $5,000 Restrict/No-Restrict Maintain’em, third within the 2010 PCA $5,000 Eight Sport, and twenty second within the 2008 WPT North American Poker Championship.
Then, he stepped away. His love for the sport waned, and the hearth that burned all through that late-2000s run crackled to embers.
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The WSOP, Negreanu, & the Bocce Increase
“It’s a very long time since I cashed on the WSOP,” he says. “I’ve been taking part in a little bit bit, however not a lot for the reason that early 2010s. Final 12 months I got here for every week, this 12 months I’m right here for 2.”
Pezzin was final seen taking part in Occasion #55: $10,000 H.O.R.S.E. Championship, sadly, not capable of regain a few of that old-school rungood that made him a preferred determine of the late poker growth period.
There’s been a growth in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and components of Canada, too. I’ve been taking part in tournaments virtually each week.
“I’ve largely been at residence in Canada,” he says. “I’ve been pursuing my different ardour, bocce, bocce ball.”
For these unfamiliar, it’s a sport with roots to historical Rome that is much like pétanque or English garden bowls. Gamers throw balls towards a smaller goal ball referred to as the pallino; closest wins.
“There’s been a growth in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and components of Canada too,” he explains. “I’ve been taking part in tournaments virtually each week.”
The previous PokerStars Group Professional calls it a “pastime,” however his résumé reveals extra: 12-time Canadian Bocce Champion and World Championship appearances representing his nation within the sport’s pinnacle occasion.
Bocce, together with household life and “just a few good investments,” has helped fill the void that event poker as soon as occupied.
Pezzin, who has amassed $805,922 in reside event earnings, can also be remembered for his longtime friendship with Daniel Negreanu. Followers might bear in mind a memorable skit from the late 2000s, the place Pezzin, accompanying the Corridor of Famer by means of the halls of the Rio, graciously obliged as unofficial photographer whereas dozens of followers clamored for photographs with the star.
On Negreanu, Pezzin reveals they’re nonetheless shut and have spoken this summer time. “I did see him right here, we talked for a bit. We stated, ‘Let’s hang around,’ however he’s going deep in all the things. It’s kinda arduous to get time with him.”
He smiles. “Good for him.”
As for extra poker this summer time?
“I’ve bought some free time and wished to play just a few tournaments. I get pleasure from money too, however the scene is hard nowadays with all of the personal and reserve video games.”
“Tournaments are completely different. You’ll be able to simply register, take your shot, and attempt to win it. That’s nice.”
Eliot Thomas
Content material Government
Calum Grant
Senior Editor & Reside Occasions Government
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