Luca Pagano
Luca Pagano and his unusual heads-up encounter
Let's face it, when you take a seat on an airplane, a bus, or a train; even in the cinema or at a concert, all you're hoping for is that you're not sitting next to a lunatic. It applies to any public place, and also at the poker table. You have no power over the seat draw of course, and you go where...more
Poker and real life
A few days ago, I was having dinner with some friends of mine when a very interesting debate arose about the metaphors on life that might originate from our behaviors at the felt, and vice versa. The debate led us to analyze some similarities that are common to the two sectors which, after a thoroug...more
Online poker regulation around the world through an Italian lens
'In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity'The wise statement used as the title is not a personal intuition. It is one of the pearls of wisdom that Albert Einstein's genius left us. I think it perfectly reflects the present situation of poker in Italy in which - no point in denying the facts - is...more
Home away from home
Poker has always given me the opportunity of travelling a lot, and often I found my home on a plane, in a hotel, or on a train. Up to now I had never been so far from Italy for so long as I have been in recent months. Most part of this latest period I was heart-and-soul-devoted to an ambitious proje...more
Poker and mental training: the synergy to succeed
Success in poker comes through various factors. One of these--the most substantial in my opinion--concerns the psychological aspects: ability to read the opponents, presence at the table, and mindset. They are all just as important to have as they are difficult to implement when the action at the ta...more
Poker Strategy: Let's talk about Heads Up!
Hi everybody! Taking the cue from the interesting video that recently appeared on PokerNews Italia in which three major heads up players suggest some starting points to reflect upon this speciality, I also wish to analyze the theory of heads up tournaments to express my personal view.Among poker tou...more
Envy: your biggest limitation or your biggest drive
Over the years I have turned my passion into a job. I've gotten results and satisfaction. I have a major sponsor. I have created a successful business.Inevitably, this has put me in a position to perceive a feeling of envy toward me. I'm not surprised to be envied, I am surprised, however, that most...more
California dreamin'
Last summer I went to the States to play in the World Series of Poker. I was supposed to stay for a month and a half, but I decided to extend my trip after the WSOP was over. I was in need of business inspiration and went looking for it in California. I've always run business together with poker. I'...more
Poker is not a crime
In my last blog, I wrote about my involvement in the business and media side of the Italian poker industry. This time, I want to talk about my broader role as an ambassador for the game. Even though the "boom" was several years ago now, there are still a lot of misconceptions about poker and people ...more
The business of poker, beyond the felt
Ciao from Italy. I'm writing after another successful tournament series in San Remo. This was the sixth time the EPT has come to San Remo, and almost 800 players participated in the main event won by Ludovic Lacay. One reason why I'm always keen to see things go well in San Remo is because it was ...more
To contact the PokerStars Blog team, simply email 
