Kevin Calenzo Running Deep Again at WPT, Hopes for Breakthrough

By Sean Chaffin

It’s been a nice summer for Kevin Calenzo. Fresh off an 84th-place finish in the WSOP Main Event for $72,514, the 34-year-old poker pro from New Hartford, NY who now calls Las Vegas home, is making a deep run in the Season XVI WPT Choctaw Main Event with only two tables remaining.

He also just arrived here after a five-day vacation in San Antonio, so things are going nicely, and a big cash in Oklahoma is a nice way to end the summer.

“Today I actually haven’t played many big pots, just small pots,” Calenza said after the first break of the day.

With almost $1.3 million in live tournament winnings, Calenzo is no stranger to success at the tables and has some nice five- and six-figure scores in his career with several final table appearances. Two years ago, Calenzo cashed in the inaugural event here, finishing 64th for $10,332. He also has three nice wins in his career, with the biggest being a WSOP Circuit victory for $197,451.

In his free time, the New Yorker likes working out, socializing with friends, and watching movies. He also enjoys golf and traveling.

While he hasn’t yet made a televised final table, Calenzo has become accustomed to the cameras that come with making a deep run in a major event.

“I’ve been playing so long that I think I’m pretty comfortable with it,” Calenzo said. “Getting deep in the WSOP Main Event, the cameras are on you all the time. You kind of get used to it.”

Before poker became his full-time gig, Calenzo worked in car sales and at a bank, but he’s now been playing poker professionally since 2007 and is hoping to keep the momentum going.

“I’ve been running pretty deep in these main events lately,” he said. “I’ve also had a couple nice runs in WPTs. I’ve had a ninth and and 11th, both at the Borgata. I’m ready to break through that threshold and hopefully make the final table and go from there.”

With 10 players left in the WPT Choctaw Main Event, the final table is right there for taking for Calenzo.