By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
MICHAEL ‘Geronimo’ Geremia has been dealt more than a few good hands in the last couple of weeks.
The Beaconsfield builder has just won historic back-to-back Victorian State Poker Championships, which saw him walk away with about $13,000 cash and a plane ticket to Las Vegas, where he will compete in his second World Series of Poker (WSOP) event.
The father of four topped more than 400 competitors each time to win the monthly crowns.
“I’m rapt with what I’ve done in the last two months,” Michael said.
“It doesn’t happen often and it probably won’t happen again.”
In fact, it’s the first time a player has ever won back-to-back State Championships.
In February Michael won the Australian Poker League/888 Poker League State Champs at Dingley International, where he scored $3000 in cash and his second WSOP Package.
He had previously won an APL/888PL Satellite event in 2014 to get his first Vegas trip.
His February form followed him through to the APL/888PL March State Champs where he won again, walking away with $10,000 cash.
“It’s like playing golf, you want to become better,” Michael said.
“If you play, you want to be better, and I tend to improve.”
Michael’s passion for poker only goes back a few years when he started playing with his mates.
Before long he was playing in small competitions and then qualifying for the bigger events like the two he just won.
“A friend of mine introduced me to playing poker and then I got to know a group of guys,” he said.
“I usually play a couple times a week. I enjoy it, I used to play golf and now this is my hobby.
“It’s a good break away from the week.”
Michael said his wife, Silvana, and his four kids, were very excited about his back-to-back wins.
“I’ve had a pretty good two or three years to tell you the truth,” he said.
The next APL/888PL State Champs will be held on 17 April at the All Season Hotel in Bendigo, where Michael will be aiming for his third straight crown against another 400-odd competitors.
The World Series of Poker kicks off on 31 May at the Rio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, where Michael is likely to play in the Millionaire Maker Event which offers a $1 million first prize.
