John Spadavecchia is not a name typically discussed on poker forums and listed among the best tournament players. But he has more accomplishments in his long history in poker than many. But despite his long and impressive tournament resume, he doesn’t call himself a professional poker player. After being born in Italy nearly 70 years ago, he moved to the United States in his youth, married and had three children, and made a career as a distributor of ceramic tile, marble, and granite.

Upon his retirement, poker became an even bigger presence in John’s life. Besides his cash game accomplishments, his poker tournament successes went on to span more than a 20-year period of time. All in all, he has 26 World Series of Poker cashes, including numerous final table appearances, three second place finishes, and a bracelet in the 1991 $5,000 deuce-to-seven draw event.

In 2003, John began playing World Poker Tour events when his schedule allowed. He cashed in that year’s World Poker Open but didn’t finish in the money again until 2006 at the Gold Strike World Poker Open. But in January of 2008, he went to Tunica again for the WPT World Poker Open, which resulted in a better-than-ever finish. He made it to the final table and finished in sixth place. Now that John is retired, there is more time than ever for poker, so no one should be surprised to see him at many more final tables.