The event was held during the Cardplayer Lifestyle festival in Las Vegas
Poker players in Las Vegas paid tribute to the late “Miami John” Cernuto by dedicating a tournament in his honor just a week after his passing. The event, held during the Cardplayer Lifestyle Mixed Game Festival X at Resorts World Las Vegas, was renamed the Miami John Commemorative O/E tournament to recognize his impact on the poker community.
Congratulations to Gary Bolden for winning the Mixed Game Festival X $300 @MiamiJohnC Commemorative O/E event.
Gary takes home $3,395 for the win 💰 pic.twitter.com/2DEaQAyfzY
— Robbie Strazynski (@cardplayerlife) February 18, 2025
The $300 buy-in Omaha 8 and Stud 8 tournament took place on February 17 and attracted 36 players, generating a $9,000 prize pool. Missouri’s Gary Bolden claimed victory, earning $3,395, while Arizona’s Michael Moon finished in second place with a $2,098 payout. Other players who cashed included David Edgett, Glenn Engelbert, James Matz, and Bennett Koo.
Cardplayer Lifestyle founder Robbie Strazynski decided to rename the tournament after Cernuto, recognizing his significance in the mixed game world. Cernuto had previously won the first-ever Mixed Game Festival O/E event in 2023, a moment that now feels even more meaningful given his recent passing. Strazynski recalled meeting Cernuto during an online game and later connecting with him in person at the festival, where he continued to show support for growing the mixed game community.
Cernuto’s legacy in poker is undeniable. He holds the record for the most tournament cashes tracked by Hendon Mob, with the majority coming from mixed games. His final recorded cash was a third-place finish in a Big O Bounty event at the Venetian in July 2024, where he won $14,962. His influence on poker extended beyond the felt, as he was known for his kindness and support of players and organizers alike.
Moving forward, all O/E events at the Mixed Game Festival will carry his name, ensuring his contributions to poker are remembered.
