Mike Santoro -- CPT Winner at Trump Taj Mahal

Santoro has been playing poker since 1992, and it hasn't been easy, according to Santoro.

"I've invested a lot of free time in poker over the last fea years, and it is now finally starting to pay off," says Santoro. "I have made 6 final tables in the last year. It has been an amazing year for me."

Santoro doesn't have much free time. He is a Taekwondo Master that manages Korean Karate College (KoreanKarateCollege.com) in New Jersey, where adults and teens can attend classes. Last year he opened a second sporting business called Fair Game Outfitters (Fairgameoutfitters.com).

"In 2006 I opened the Fair Game Outfitters business and we are already expanding in our second years," says Santoro. "Still there has been a lot to deal with, from my partner passing away, to handling both businesses. Poker is my escape."

While most might use their poker money to pay bills and buy expensive new toys, Santoro re-invests his poker bank roll on himself, using his winnings to play in highlimit games.

"Poker is my passion, says Santoro. "Every poker win is a success for me, whther I make the final table, or just place. I have a great time doing it, and my friends and I have a great time."

Santoro is a true Master, and his skill in the martial arts may have helped him focus on the intense heads up at the final table of the $5,000 Main Event. Santoro battled Charles Minger, who tool second place in the main event, until the end.

There was a crucial hand early on, when Santoro chip leader with $240,000, bet $6000 with a pair of 6,6. Minter re-raised $20,000 with A (hearts), 9 (hearts). Santoro went all in and on the flop Minter landed runner hearts and took the pot. Santoro was left with $70,000 in chips and a monumental hurdle to over come. Approximately, 20 hands later, Santoro bet $5,000 with a 10 (heart), 9 (heart), Minter re-raised $15,000 with a pair of K,K. Santoro didn't waste any time and went all in, and was called. As luck would have it, the flop showed all hearts and he won the mathc with a flush.

Who syas there isn't any justice in poker. Santor0, Karate Kid, took the cash over $85,000 and the CPT Cup, and road off in his mortocycle in search of another highlimit game.