John Cernuto, known as “Miami John” and the record holder of tournament cashes has died aged 81 of colon cancer. Cernuto passed away at home in Las Vegas with his family by his side.
News that the 3-time WSOP bracelet winner had entered hospice care at home broke earlier this week, long-time friend actor James Woods taking to Twitter with the news.
Miami John’s son has asked me to speak to his friends in the poker community about his condition. He is at home surrounded by family, cared for by hospice, and by God’s grace, completely at peace.
— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) February 10, 2025
There will be no service now, but a Celebration of Life in June at the WSOP. pic.twitter.com/sM40TdoCP8
A few days later and Woods paid tribute to his mentor and friend…
“Miami John Cernuto made every decision like the scientist he was at heart. Remember, his profession was as an air traffic control controller for years. When all the striking ATC employees were fired en masse, John was left high and dry. He taught himself poker, and became the highest scoring tournament champion in history. No one has ever won as many as he.
“He has approached the end of his life with the same ruthless analytical rigor. After surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, he said enough was enough.
“He has faced his fate with the strength of a true champion. His power derived from the love of his children, his friends, and, yes, the game he enjoyed so dearly.” – James Woods
“I’ve never met a more giving soul, nor a more intellectually demanding teacher. As he stands tall in the twilight hours of his life, I embrace him with all my heart, with the full measure of gratitude for his counsel, for his undying friendship, and for the many smiles with which he gifted me for years. God bless you, John. And goodbye.”
Other members of the poker community paid their respects at news of Cernuto’s passing the following day…
- Rest in peace to our dear friend. It’s been a personal pleasure of mine to compete with Miami John so many times over the past few years. He will be missed. -Ari Engel
- Rest peacefully my friend -Jeanne David
1/2: My very good friend, poker-legend Miami John Cernuto, is no longer suffering. He passed away at his home tonight surrounded by family. At John’s request, there will not be a service, but there will be a Celebration of Life event – likely in June. Jack & Diets all around.
— Susie G. 🦋 (@Ziggy_Susan) February 11, 2025
Miami John Cernuto – A Life in Poker
John Anthony Cernuto, aka “Miami” John Cernuto, was born in Jersey City, New Jersey in 1944 and graduated from Florida State University. He took up poker in the 1980s after losing his air traffic controller job in Miami, as Woods explains above.
“At the time, getting fired was not the best thing that ever happened to me, because it was my chosen lifelong profession,” Cernuto later explained. “But in the end, things have really worked out and looking back now, it really was a good thing.”
The change in lifestyle saw him quickly rise to prominence in the poker world, his “Miami” tag sticking with him over the years.
Before the noughties boom in No Limit Hold’em, Cernuto had carved out a career as a mixed game specialist. His first big tournament cash came in 1988 at Amarillo Slim’s Superbowl Of Poker, in Las Vegas, a Limit 7-Card Stud event.
Among the 597 tournament cashes – a record that will almost certainly be broken but likely never matched given his longevity including a time when poker wasn’t “cool” – are three WSOP gold bracelets.
In 1996 he took down the $1,500 Seven Card Stud for $147,000, following up the next year with victory in the $2k No Limit Hold’em for $259,150, his biggest-ever live cash. Cernuto’s third and final WSOP gold came along in 2002 when he scooped the $1500 Limit Omaha title for $73,320.
He also made three final tables in 2006 alone and the annual World Series of Poker, combined with the WSOP Circuit events (Cernuto had two WSOPC rings to his name) accounted for more than $2million of his $6,471,384 lifetime earnings.
Last year Cernuto was nominated for the first time to the Poker Hall of Fame but missed out on induction. He was, as ever, as gracious in defeat as he was in victory, tweeting:
Congratulations to @Patrik_Antonius for his 2024 induction into the Poker Hall of Fame. Well deserved.
— John Cernuto (@MiamiJohnC) July 16, 2024
It is almost certain that this summer’s WSOP will remember “Miami” John Cernuto, who leaves behind family, friends and unforgettable memories.
RIP Miami John Cernuto 1944-2025
