Dario Sammartino’s Festival protagonist at the PokerStars Open

“Have you seen Dario?” was the recurring question in the corridors of the Campione Casino during the last Open. Yes, because everyone wanted to take a photo or simply greet Dario Sammartino, the true star of the PokerStars Open 2026 which saw the participation of former Serie A footballers at the Main table

BETWEEN PADEL AND MAIN EVENT

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What do they discuss Alessio Cerci, German Denis and Dario Sammartino during a break on the ninth floor of the Campione Casino? to understand this we have to rewind the tape. Among the many initiatives of the second edition of the PokerStars Open di Campione 2026 there was also the one linked to the “Grand Slam Padel Show VIP“. The padel circuit featuring former Serie A footballers who, during the PokerStars Open in Campione, stopped in Lugano. In addition to the efforts on the pitch, many protagonists tried their hand at cards in a Spin & Go which saw Alessio Cerci triumph over the rest of the competition. The experience at the table also continued for the Open Main Event. From Ciccio Caputo to German Denis passing through Cerci himself and the sports journalist Riccardo Trevisani. The most awaited player in the room, however, was Dario Sammartino. After the recent agreement that made it become new PokerStarsNews talent everyone was waiting for his arrival in Campione. After dedicating the first few days to activities related to his new role, including interviews and educational videos for poker players, “MadGenius” sat at the Main Event table attracting the attention of the splendid room on the ninth floor

DARIO SAMMARTINO: MISSED COMEBACK AT THE POKERSTARS OPEN

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Day 2 of the event which registered 1,582 paying people is the one that leads to the first prizes, awaiting the grand finale. Dario travels with a stack that allows him broad playability. He’s not at the top of the rankings but that doesn’t matter given that the road to the final table is still long. At a certain point, however, Sammartino loses a large pot and stay with only one darkness! He has 4 chips of 1,000 in front of him when the blinds are 2,000/4,000 and it’s not long until the bubble bursts. Incredibly, Dario manages to put over 30,000 chips back in front of him, starting a possible comeback from the cover! During one of the scheduled breaks, the professional from Campania is joined by Alessio Cerci and German Denis, the last two former VIP footballers still playing in the Main Event, with whom he discusses the progress of the tournament. The best of all will be in the end “El Tanque” Denis who, in his first live tournament, will come out in 174th position and cash! Even better than his friend Dario Sammartino, whose comeback was abruptly stopped in a three-way allin that would have put him completely back in the game: Dario has KQ and finds himself against KT and AQ. In the end the worst hand makes a straight and Dario, always with the smile that distinguishes him, greets his traveling companions. “It’s a shame it didn’t go as I hoped, but this is sports poker: it’s part of the game. I had a lot of fun. The organization was of the highest level. The PokerStars Open is now a reference event for European poker” commented Dario before taking selfies with the fans