Poker star Jesse Sylvia joined friends and family on Monday night for a hometown celebration at the Ritz Cafe in Oak Bluffs. In late October Mr. Sylvia won second place in the World Series of Poker Main Event, earning $5.29 million.
Biggie Shorty provided the tunes and a crew of two camera men followed Mr. Sylvia around, filming an MTV True Life episode on him as a young millionaire. Earlier, the camera crew had filmed Mr. Sylvia shopping for houses on the Island for his mother Marlene DiStefano.
At 3 a.m. on Wednesday morning, Marlene DiStefano thought she might have to change her flight home. Her son, Jesse Sylvia, was nine hours into the 2012 World Series of Poker main event in Las Vegas, and the competition was still going strong.
“We were like, this is never going to end,” said Ms. DiStefano in a phone interview.
Yesterday Vineyarder Jesse Sylvia secured a spot as one of the three finalists in the 2012 World Series of Poker Main Event and will be contending for the $8.53 million jackpot when play resumes tonight at 9 p.m. He is assured of winning at least $3,799,073.
The world series tournament began in early July, initially narrowing the field of 6,598 players down to nine, with Mr. Sylvia in the lead when the tournament took a two-month hiatus. On Oct. 29 play resumed.
Jesse Sylvia took second place in the 2012 World Series Poker Wednesday morning after a marathon all-night session. The 26-year-old West Tisbury native won $5.29 million in prize money. Throughout the contest Mr. Sylvia stayed within striking distance of the eventual winner and new world champion, Greg Merson.
A large group of friends and fans traveled to Las Vegas to watch the match, including his family. Marlene DiStefano, Mr. Sylvia’s mother, lost her voice after the nearly 12-hour event.
Islander Jesse Sylvia has secured his spot at the 2012 World Series of Poker Main Event. The 26-year-old West Tisbury native, now a professional poker player living in Las Vegas, beat out nearly 7,000 others for one of the seats at the final table in the October competition. He will compete against eight others for the $8.5 million top prize. Seven of the nine finalists are expected to win at least $1 million.
Mr. Sylvia enters the competition as the chip leader, with more than 44 million chips. His next closest competitor has just under 30 million chips.
Islander Jesse Sylvia has secured a seat at the final table in the 2012 World Series of Poker Main Event, making him one of nine players competing for the $8.5 million jackpot in late October.
His stack holds 14.5 million more chips than his nearest rival.
“Going in, I’m going to be the favorite in the tournament,” said Mr. Sylvia. “It puts a little more pressure on me which is scary. But hopefully I’ll have that bracelet on my wrist when I come out of there.”
