QUALIFIERS - Mike Caruso

What's your home town?
Arvada, Colo.

How about your education?
Arvada West High School, no college.

What's your marital status?
Single.

What do you do for a living?
Professional poker player.  

How long have you been playing poker?
About three years.

What or who inspired you to start playing?
The Chris Moneymaker boom.

How long have you been playing at Bodog?
Three years or so.

Tell us about your best poker win...
I’d say the Bodog Poker Open #1 for $26K or so. It was a tough field and final table. Had to beat Josh Arieh and Bodog pro Evelyn Ng three-way.

How did you win your seat?
I played in a $270 winner-take-all qualifier. I was very excited, as it was the first one I won. 

What do you think your chances are of winning the WSOP*?
I really have no clue. I’m very confident though.

Who is your favorite poker player?
Chad Batista and Scott Clements.

What would you do if you won?
Invest and travel.

What would your tagline be if you turned pro?
Mike “rusostreet” Caruso.

What single story best defines you and your life?
Just playing poker for a living - never saw that one coming. I guess I’m like a box of chocolates!

How will you spend your time off in Vegas?
Having a good time whatever it is.

What type of player are you?
Friendly and observant.

Have you ever been to Vegas before? If so, any good stories?
Yeah, I go about six times a year and have a ton of good stories, but what happens in Vegas…!!