Legendary poker player ‘Miami’ John Cernuto has passed away at the age of 81 after a courageous battle with cancer. In his final days, he spent time in home hospice care, surrounded by family and friends.
Cernuto fought tirelessly against cancer, undergoing surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. When the illness became incurable, he transitioned into hospice care. His family shared that he was resting comfortably, aware of the love surrounding him, even as he could no longer communicate. Tributes from fellow poker pros quickly poured in, honoring Cernuto’s legacy and the lasting impact he made on the game.
The news of Cernuto’s passing emerged late Monday night through heartfelt tributes from his closest friends, including actor and fellow poker player James Woods. Woods posted a long and emotional tribute about the legendary poker player, later confirming the sad news of Cernuto’s passing.
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‘Miami’ John Cernuto’s Poker Achievements
Hailed from New Jersey, John Cernuto carved out a legacy in the poker world with a career spanning nearly four decades. Before starting his career as a professional poker player, Cernuto worked as an air traffic controller but was among those fired en masse by President Ronald Reagan in 1981. With no employment opportunities, Cernuto started his journey as a professional poker player.
Widely known as “Miami John,” Cernuto quickly became popular among the poker players for his impressive play, establishing himself as a formidable player in multiple poker variants. Cernuto excelled in both formats–cash games and tournaments which was very impossible for players at that time as they only focused on one format either cash games or tournaments.
As of 2025, Cernuto holds the record of most tournament cashes of 597, spanning from 1987 through July 2023 with 89 poker victories. A regular at the WSOP each summer, Cernuto captured three coveted bracelets and two WSOP Circuit rings, with WSOP earnings surpassing $2 million. His total live tournament earnings is close to $6.5 million, cementing his place among the game’s greats. In 2024, Cernuto was named a finalist for the Poker Hall of Fame, recognizing his lasting contributions to the game.
He has over $6.4 million in recorded cashes with many notable titles including a World Heads-up Championship and a Amarillo Slim Super Bowl of Poker title.
Poker World Mourns the Passing of John Cernuto
Beyond his impressive accolades, Cernuto was admired for his kindness, generosity, and competitive spirit. His friend and poker player/actor James Woods wrote “I’ve never met a more giving soul than a more intellectually demanding teacher.” Here are the tweets from several poker players and brands.
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