In the 60th event of the recently completed PokerStars World Championship of Online Poker (WCOOP), David “Blue Knight1” Sesso came away with the bracelet and a massive $299,000 bankroll boost following a four-way deal. In June, Sesso entered the Ladies Event of the 2010 World Series of Poker (WSOP) after a prop bet much to the ire of the women in attendance. Now, he’s in the spotlight for a completely different reason.
Just before a trip to Hammond, Indiana for the WSOP Circuit stop at the Horseshoe Casino, Sesso, a member of Team Bustout Poker, sat down with Poker News Daily to recap his latest accomplishment.
Poker News Daily: Congratulations on pulling down nearly $300,000 following the four-way chop in the $215 No Limit Hold’em WCOOP event. Tell us how you’re feeling.
David Sesso: It’s an amazing feeling. When it first happened, it was so unreal and rewarding after everything I’ve gone through this year. A lot of things fell apart this year for me and then this happened after I had been on my own for a month. I’ve worked hard, but the luck involved in winning this just as I got started on my own is huge. Now, I just hope I can take this gift and turn it into more.
PND: How has the $300,000 cash windfall affected your life since you earned it in late September?
David Sesso: It’s definitely had a big impact. Career-wise, it’s given me a chance to play high-stakes online MTTs on my own dime, which is not what I was expecting to have happen this soon. I’ve actually come back to Chicago for a bit to re-asses what’s next for me. I think as far as my image goes, I’ll just say that some players who doubted me before seem to be giving me a second look.
My confidence is through the roof now. During my heater in 2009, however, I let my ego take control and I think I got way too cocky, which wound up costing me in the end. This win came only after I put my ego in check and really took a closer look at my game. I found so many things I needed to improve upon. I’m actually very happy that I nearly went broke. I’m glad I was humbled because I think that’s what is going to make me stronger. I’m going to try to stay humble and realize that this is only the beginning.
PND: Did entering the WSOP Ladies Event change how others viewed you or acted towards you?
David Sesso: I’m not really sure what people think. I can only hope that people will see that I felt badly about it and admitted that I was wrong. While I meant no disrespect, it was an act of immaturity and I just hope people can forgive me for it. Maybe the fact that I have a WCOOP title will help with that, but maybe not. I guess it really just comes down to whether or not people believe I can change and grow as a person. Either way, my plan is to just keep working and getting better at this great game, whether people want to be behind me or not.
PND: You’re an ambassador for Bustout Poker, a popular line of poker gear. Can you remind us how you became involved with the company?
David Sesso: At Mohegan Sun, I was playing a $2,000 side event and happened to notice Jeff Griffith (the founder of Bustout) showing some t-shirts to a poker agent who was at my table. I liked the shirts and struck up a conversation with him. He told me about how he really loves MMA fighting and poker, which is what inspired him to build the company. The shirts have the look of many popular MMA clothing brands with a poker twist that I, along with many other top pros, find to be very cool.
I told Jeff a little about myself and I think he liked what he saw. Jeff is assembling a team of top players to represent Bustout Poker and I am quite impressed with the lineup so far, which includes internet stars such as Ben “Kid Cardiff” Warrington, Matt “All In At 420” Stout, and Chris “Big_Huni” Hunichen. We also have accomplished PokerStars pro Chad Brown and more big names in the works. Don’t be surprised to see a lot of Team Bustout members reaching final tables both online and live. I really believe that these players are going to put a sting on the competition.