The poker world is mourning the passing of “Miami” John Cernuto, a true icon of the game who left an indelible mark on the industry. Cernuto passed away on Monday in Las Vegas at the age of 81 after a battle with colon cancer, leaving behind a legacy that will be cherished by players and fans alike.
A Storied Career of Dedication and Excellence
John Cernuto, widely regarded as one of the greatest mixed-game players in history, holds the record for the most career tournament cashes—an astonishing 597, according to The Hendon Mob. He was the first player to surpass 500 recorded cashes, the majority of which came from mixed-game events, a testament to his versatility and skill across poker formats.
Born on January 10, 1944, in New Jersey, Cernuto’s path to professional poker was anything but conventional. After earning his degree from the University of Florida, he embarked on a career as an air traffic controller. However, in 1981, he found himself among the 11,000 controllers dismissed by President Ronald Reagan following the PATCO strike. This pivotal moment became the catalyst for a dramatic career shift—one that would see Cernuto rise to prominence in the world of competitive poker.
From Adversity to Poker Greatness
Recalling his journey, Cernuto once shared with the World Poker Tour, “When I went on strike, I always had it in the back of my mind that if I lost my job, I’d finally get the chance to do what I had wanted to do for years—become a professional poker player.”
With little more than his retirement savings, he took a leap of faith and moved to Las Vegas in 1982. Just a few years later, he found his stride on the tournament scene. His first significant win came in 1988 when he claimed victory in a $1,000 Limit Seven Card Stud event at Amarillo Slim’s Super Bowl of Poker, earning $58,000. The following year, he reached his first World Series of Poker (WSOP) final table in the $5,000 Seven Card Stud event, finishing fourth and securing $26,900.
Over the decades, Cernuto built an illustrious resume that included three WSOP bracelets, two WSOP Circuit rings, and career earnings exceeding $6.4 million. More than $2 million of that total came from WSOP events, underscoring his consistent excellence on one of poker’s biggest stages.
The Ironman of Poker
Cernuto’s unwavering dedication to the game earned him the nickname “The Ironman of Poker,” a title bestowed upon him by Hollywood actor and fellow poker enthusiast James Woods. That moniker was well-earned—well into his late 70s, Cernuto continued to grind the tournament circuit with remarkable stamina and enthusiasm.
Even in 2023, he showed no signs of slowing down. At the WSOP, he notched six cashes, all in mixed-game events, further cementing his reputation as a true competitor. His final tournament score came in July at the Venetian DeepStack Championship, where he secured third place in a $1,000 event.
A Legacy That Transcends Generations
Cernuto was not only respected for his skills but also deeply admired for his sportsmanship and mentorship. Among the countless players who paid tribute to him was poker pro Ari Engel, a modern-day ironman himself. “Rest in peace to our dear friend,” Engel wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “It’s been a personal pleasure of mine to compete with Miami John so many times over the past few years. He will be missed.”
Nominated for the Poker Hall of Fame for the first time in 2024, many in the poker world believe he was long overdue for induction. His contributions to the game and the respect he commanded among his peers make him a deserving candidate for posthumous recognition.
A Lasting Impact
Though “Miami” John Cernuto has left the felt for the final time, his influence on the game of poker remains. His legacy of skill, perseverance, and passion will continue to inspire players for generations to come. As the poker community grieves this loss, it also celebrates the extraordinary life of a true legend—an Ironman whose impact on the game will never be forgotten.