TumaJames Woods
@RealJamesWoods
Miami John Cernuto made every decision like the scientist he was at heart. Remember, his profession was as an air traffic control controller for years. When all the striking ATC employees were fired en masse, John was left high and dry. He taught himself poker, and became the highest scoring tournament champion in history. No one has ever won as many as he.
He has approached the end of his life with the same ruthless analytical rigor. After surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, he said enough was enough. He has faced his fate with the strength of a true champion. His power derived from the love of his children, his friends, and, yes, the game he enjoyed so dearly.
I’ve never met a more giving soul, nor a more intellectually demanding teacher. As he stands tall in the twilight hours of his life, I embrace him with all my heart, with the full measure of gratitude for his counsel, for his undying friendship, and for the many smiles with which he gifted me for years. God bless you, John.
And goodbye.
Mason MalmuthI first met Miami John in 1987. Being from Miami myself (actually Coral Gables) we had something in common. I had just moved to Las Vegas and would often play in the Las Vegas Hilton Poker Room where he was a regular.
A few months ago I ran into him at a Starbucks close to where I live. We talked for a while and he was very complimentary towards our recent small stakes no-limit book. But he also told me he was struggling with cancer, so I'm not surprised to see that he's now in hospice,
All in all, though a tough competitor, he's one of the nicest people who played poker and perhaps in this coming year, after he's gone, he'll be elected to the Poker Hall of Fame. He certainly deserves it.
Had dinner on a tagalong with him and another player at an all you can eat sushi restaurant in Reno in 2002. Nice guy, gravelly voice "Hey, uh, Bill, I got the cab, you get the tip, OK, Bill?"
Air traffic controller fired by Reagan. Maybe the greatest HiLo player ever, especially tournaments. When California legalized non-draw games in the late 80s, he moved to Vegas and commuted M-F to LA on Southwest. First name basis with those stewardesses & pilots who couldn't believe what he was doing. He said it was cheaper than moving there.
Definitely hope he’s pain-free and resting peacefully.
