Dario Alioto

Childhood

Dario Alioto was born in 1984 in Palermo, Italy. Details about his early life and childhood are scarce, but his emergence from Palermo marks the beginning of a notable career in professional poker.

Career

Alioto’s breakthrough came in 2005 at the European Poker Tour (EPT) in Barcelona, where he finished 7th in the main event, earning €52,000 after qualifying through an online satellite. This success propelled him into the world of Pot Limit Omaha (PLO) cash games, which became his specialty and the foundation of his reputation as one of Italy’s top professional poker players.

In 2007, Alioto won his first World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet in the £5,000 Pot Limit Omaha event at the WSOP Europe, securing £234,390. He continued to perform strongly at the WSOP, with notable finishes including a 4th place in the 2008 $1,500 PLO event, earning $180,534, and several other final table appearances through 2009 and beyond. Alioto also claimed side event titles at the EPT in London (2009) and Prague (2010), further cementing his prowess in mixed and Omaha games.

Alioto served as captain of the Sisal Poker Team Pro in 2009 and 2010, a team voted the #1 Team Pro in Italy during those years. He led Italy’s team in the European Nation’s Cup multiple times, achieving runner-up status in 2008 and strong finishes in subsequent years.

His career highlights include multiple WSOP final tables, a leading position on the European Omaha all-time money list, and recognition as the most successful Italian player in non-Hold’em tournaments. By 2013, his live tournament winnings exceeded $1.5 million, and he was ranked 4th on the WSOP Omaha all-time money list.

Revenue

Alioto’s career earnings from live tournaments total over $1.5 million as of 2013, with significant cashes at WSOP and European Poker Tour side events. His yearly earnings from 2005 to 2013 show consistent success, peaking in 2007 with $542,685 and maintaining strong results in subsequent years.

Interesting facts

• Alioto holds the record for the most WSOP final table finishes by an Italian player (seven).
• He was the youngest Italian to win a WSOP bracelet.
• He is the first Italian to reach final tables at both WSOP and EPT events.
• Alioto is considered one of the best all-around poker players in Europe, excelling in various poker formats beyond Hold’em.
• He was nicknamed "Ryu," reflecting his reputation in the poker community.
• He chose to skip WSOP events in later years for fiscal and strategic reasons.
  

Legacy

Dario Alioto’s legacy lies in his pioneering success in Pot Limit Omaha and mixed games for Italian poker players. His multiple final table appearances and leadership roles in team events have inspired a generation of Italian and European poker professionals. He remains a respected figure in the poker world for his skill, consistency, and contributions to the growth of poker in Italy.