The countdown to the 2025 WSOP starts here. 100 bracelets. All the poker players. And PokerOrg will be on the floor from start to finish.
Frankie Cucchiara is a rising star in the poker world as a content creator and player, and is a member of the PokerOrg Player Advisory Board with a refreshing approach to poker and love for the game. He recently challenged Daniel Negreanu to a heads-up match. Who won? Frankie will reveal all soon on his popular YouTube channel.
'I plan to do a Phil Hellmuth-style walk-in'
What are you most looking forward to this summer regarding the WSOP events?
I'm stoked to play another summer. I'm the most prepared at this point in my career, which is good. I'm working on my game every single day. Going into this summer at the top of your game is a good feeling.
I have a bigger schedule this year, which is also exciting. In the past, I had to be a bit more careful and play with less variance. But I’ve had a lot of support moving forward.
At the moment, I'm selling action and preparing for the summer. I should be able to buy in some events multiple times. Having a strategy where you're comfortable to rebuy is a massive advantage.
When you can’t do that, you just find yourself playing way too tight in spots that you need to put the money in. You know the hand will be a 60/40 or 55/45, but you’re comfortable to rebuy if you happen to lose it. It's a really good feeling.
Which event are you looking forward to most?
I'm most excited about the Main Event this year. It's the pinnacle of all poker tournaments. I plan to do a Phil Hellmuth-style walk-in with 'Suga' Sean O'Malley this year.
It hasn't been confirmed yet, and I'm hesitant to post it. I'm waiting for the WSOP to approve it, but it sounds like they would love to do it.
I'm buying 'Suga' Sean O'Malley into the Main Event this year. He's loving poker, and I'm coaching him up for it, and it'll be a really fun video.
Didn’t you recently play him in heads-up cash? How did you meet?
I did. He recently fell in love with poker. But Sean started watching my videos a few months back and commented on them. I couldn't believe it. I was in shock that it was his real account. He has five million followers on Instagram and is at the pinnacle of the UFC, especially his division.
How did the heads-up match go?
I was very confident that I would win. I had a side bet with him. It was huge for me. If he loses to me, I have to be the only person he follows on IG. Because right now, Suga follows no one.
I was shocked when he agreed. But... if I lose, I have to spar him for three rounds in the Octagon. And I lost the match. So, on April 10, I'll be flying down to Arizona. I'm sparring with him and filming a video titled: I Fought a UFC Champion with No Training.
Very cool. I hope you survive with minimal damage.
(laughs) I'm not worried about getting hurt. Some guys have a reputation for knocking out their sparring partners, but I know he will have a fun, friendly match with me. But of course, as the day gets closer, my anxiety increases.
'I hope there is some drama'
What do you think will be the biggest story of the WSOP this summer?
There's big news at the WSOP; it's about phone usage at the table. You have to step away to use your cell phone. I think it's going to be a net positive for the game.
Also, I hope to see someone take down multiple bracelets. I hope to see one candidate have a breakout year. I hope to see a new name appear in a big way in the field. And I hope there is some drama.
What kind of prep are you doing to prepare for the grind?
I'm lucky to have a partner in Kitty Kuo, who is a massive grinder. She loves to study the game. I sit in on her lessons when she's working with a couple of German coaches right now.
We study together with Nick Petrangelo. Nick’s knowledge of the game is one of the best in the world. Nick is a balance of understanding the solver and the problems with it. That makes him an elite player because he's not a slave to the sim.
Working with Nick makes me much more confident coming into this summer’s WSOP.
Quickfire round
Who would you pick to swap 5% with this summer?
Kitty Kuo.
Sorry, who is that?
(laughs) She's ready. She's going to have a big summer. No one can adapt to the game as well as she can. She's a good blend of that table presence that gets her paid. She knows when to be loose and use her image.
And if you didn’t say Kitty, she might never talk to you again.
Yeah, so again, safe answer (laughs).
We have to know: Is baby rungood a real thing?
Unfortunately, I can confirm that baby rungood is not a real thing. I started a big downswing soon after my son’s birth with Kitty. But I think a 13-month-old baby rungood will be a thing.
Last question: Will Phil Hellmuth play in the WSOP Main Event?
Of course. I am 99% sure he will play. As we get closer to the end of his career, with his legacy on the line, he will take every opportunity and chance to win the Main Event.
Follow Frankie on Instagram and X.
Additional images courtesy of PokerGO/UFC.
