World Series of Poker - Official Tournament Coverage and Results
Massa Paola rails his friend Fernando Pons
Throughout this year's Main Event Fernando Pons has had a dedicated friend on his rail. Massa Paolo has been Pons's number-one cheerleader for the last seven days, and he has no plans of leaving Pons's side until his friend makes the November Nine.
Paolo and Pons has been friends for 12 years, after meeting in Spain where Pons currently lives. Paolo has traveled to Vegas to attend the World Series of Poker a total of six times, but has only played the Main Event once a few years ago after he won a seat online.
According to Paolo, this is Pons's first time in Vegas. Pons won his seat on 888 Poker for €30 (approximately $33 US Dollars), and is now guaranteed a minimum $269,430 payday, with the hopes to winning the $8,000,000 first place prize.
Paolo and Pons arrived in Vegas on July 10th, and were scheduled to stay here for only five days. Paolo says Pons has had to go clothes shopping every day for new clothing to wear. "He only had clothes for five days.
"In the morning, you think, 'I am happy I am still here,' at night when you finish you can't believe it. It's a dream. So you go buy more clothes for the next day," Paolo says with a laugh. Pons has a wife and one child, a girl four years old. He is (an) Internet player, and was happy he won a ticket online to play in Main Event. He was scheduled to travel home today, but will reschedule his flight tomorrow now that he is still playing. Even if you play, you don't think about being here on Day 7," Paolo explains, showing a hint of emotion.
When asked about what makes Pons a true contender in this year's field, Paolo says that he is dedicated, quiet, and focused. "He always has the same face," Paolo explains, "He lost big pot on Day 4 with vs. , and he says, 'No problem, no problem.' The pot was 1.2 million. The flop was , the turn , big-size bet and other guy calls. And the river . But he says, 'No problem.' Always, he has the same face--when he wins the pot, when he doesn't win the pot, always the same face. But I'm Italian, and I make the faces for him," Paolo says throwing his arms in the air and cheering.
According to Paolo, yesterday Pons won a key pot in which he called Jan Suchanek's all-in bet holding against Suchanek's . There was an ace on the flop, but Pons hit the on the river to eliminate Suchanek from play, and catapult him to the top of the leaderboard.
"I'm staying here until he is done. I don't move," Paolo says with a giggle. His demeanor then quickly changes after realizing that Pons is involved in a hand. “He’s going to win…,” Paolo trails off as he watches his friend with the same intense focus that Pons seems to be giving the hand he is involved in.
Fernando Pons
from Poker
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