From Chance to the Professional Scene
Luca's first encounter with poker happened entirely by chance. In a casino, neither roulette nor blackjack appealed to him, so he decided to try something new. He started playing poker and was immediately struck by the fact that not everyone at the table loses. “I saw that some players win consistently. It occurred to me that if I learned how, it could be more than just a game.”
Luca bought books, flew to California, visited local poker clubs, and came back prepared. At the first European Poker Tour event in Barcelona, he made it to the final table. It was the start of a great journey. “I can't credit my luck, but I was ready when the opportunity came.”
Campione: A New Poker Hub
Today, he leads the new PS poker room in Campione — a small Italian-Swiss town revitalizing as a poker hub. It's a place designed to combine a passion for the game with an inclusive approach. “We want everyone to enjoy poker. Whether playing a €50 tournament or a high roller for thousands, the experience should be strong for everyone.” Luca believes that the future of poker lies in communities and spaces that are both professional and welcoming.
According to Luca, Campione has immense potential. He wants to create events that bring together not only the poker community but also chess players, e-sports enthusiasts, and creatives. He sees poker as a gateway to a broader range of experiences.
Mentors, Failures, and the Psychology of Poker
Luca speaks candidly about times when he struggled and doubted himself. During these moments, he was helped by former champions Greg Raymer and Joe Hachem. “They took me to dinner and told me I had to believe. That evening changed everything.”
He believes the worst feeling is knowing you failed not due to bad luck but because you played poorly. This is why he emphasizes the importance of mindset and the ability to handle failure. “In Italy, we fear failure. But failure is what propels us forward.”
Life Beyond Poker
Beyond poker, Luca is involved in technology, e-sports, and family. In his youth, he programmed on a Commodore 64 and later got into chess and backgammon. After a break from poker, he entered the e-sports industry, trying to transfer his poker event expertise to a new field.
He's also passionate about AI development. “AI will change the world. It might be a challenge for developers, but if approached correctly, it could be an opportunity.” And what would he do if he didn't play poker? Without hesitation, he answers: “I'd be programming.” But he adds with a smile, once a player— always a player.
More Episodes of the Olga Poker Podcast
Victoria Livschitz: “I Can't Rest, But I Can Dream Big”
Alex Dreyfus: From Winamax through Messi to a Revolution in Entertainment
Daniel “Jungleman” Cates: When You Stop Clinging to Money, the Pressure Eases
Adam McKola: How I Went from Manchester United to the Poker Tables
Patrick Leonard: “I See Problems in Poker and Life as Puzzles to Be Solved”
Joe Stapleton: The Voice That Prefers Talking to Playing
Eugene Katchalov: Why Online Poker is Dying?
Sources – PokerNews, PGT, YouTube, OctopiPoker
