As we have written to you on more than one occasion, the Spin & Go format, which would be more correctly called Hyper 3 Handed, is one of those that has gained the most traction worldwide, especially in its online mode, given that there are thousands of enthusiasts in Italy alone.
Even live it is beginning to become a beaten discipline, also and above all thanks to the PokerStars Poker Spin & Go Championship, a particular competition that will take place also in 2026, starting from the European Poker Tour in Paris.
And for the thread of our interviews with those who have achieved important successes more than others, today we are talking about Rocco Ciracì, who recently caught and brought home a multiplier in the Twister Classico.
Interview with Rocco Ciraci
AP: Hello Rocco and welcome to Assopoker. Let’s start with you: who are you, how old are you, where are you from, and what do you do in life besides poker?
My name is Rocco, I am 39 years old and I live in my splendid Calabria, in Catanzaro. I have been working at Decathlon for a long time and I have been married for 4 years. Besides work and poker, my life revolves around sports: I play at an amateur level in an over 35 football league, a commitment that I carry forward with the same passion that I dedicate to the green felt.
How did poker come into your life? Do you remember the first time you played “seriously” and what got you hooked?
My first encounter with poker dates back to my university days, when I was 19 and we used to get together with friends. That curiosity grew when I saw a friend playing online cash games seriously, prompting me to sign up on PokerStars and Snai.
How much space does poker occupy today? How many sessions do you do per week and how do you fit it in with everything else?
Today I manage to dedicate about two hours a day to poker, between study and sessions, maintaining an average of 1,000 spins per month with the goal of climbing the levels one step at a time.
Hyper 3 Handed: between passion and practicality
Why Spin & Go specifically? What do you like about this format compared to MTTs or cash games?
For years I dabbled as an amateur in MTTs, the discipline that fascinated me the most, but over time family and work needs changed. Spin & Go became the ideal solution: a fast, adrenaline-fueled structure perfect for those with little time but who don’t want to give up competition.
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What buy-ins do you usually play and for how long? And what goal did you set for yourself before this win (even a small one: “move up a limit”, “study better”, “have fun without tilting”)?
Until a few months ago, I played completely on my own. Then, by chance, I came across a Pokermagia survey and my adventure began: first in the Academy and now as an official player at €5.
Tell us about the multiplier: when did it happen, what was the buy-in, what multiplier did you hit, and what was the feeling like in the first 30 seconds?
A few days ago, all this study paid off in an instant. It was 4:00 PM, I had just started the afternoon session on two tables. On the sixth spin, the incredible happened: the maximum multiplier of 5,000 euros dropped.
Rocco Ciracì: “I’ll tell you about the Twister multiplier”
How did you handle the pressure during that game?
As soon as I realized we were playing for a 1000x, I immediately closed the other table. I wanted 100% focus on that spin. After the first 30 seconds of pure adrenaline with my heart racing, I imposed calm on myself: I told myself that it would be mine and that I would play by strictly following the ranges and teachings of the school.
Winning was amazing, but the greatest pride was doing it by playing technically and with discipline.
Was there a key moment or a hand you remember? Even just “a push that changed your tournament” or a play that gave you confidence.
The key hand came almost immediately, on the third hand, with all players still at 25 blinds. From BB, I defended K-3 of diamonds on a 2.5x open from the button. The flop A-6-10 with two diamonds gave me a nuts flush draw: I check-called the opponent’s 40% c-bet. The turn is a Jack of diamonds which closes the game. I check again, he decides to check behind. The river is an inconsequential K; I bet pot (10 blinds) and he calls. That hand brought me to 40 blinds, allowing me to reach heads-up with a huge advantage. The victory came shortly after on a classic coinflip: my pair of 3s held against his Q-J offsuit.
Let’s talk about coaching: why did you decide to start a path with a school? How is it structured, your path?
Thanks to Pokermagia, my approach has changed radically: before I suffered from tilt and frustration, now I have a solid mindset and I always know what to do in every situation. The school offers incredible support with highly prepared coaches, constant reviews, and a Discord community that is a real reference point. For those who want to embark on a serious poker journey, I believe it is the best choice in Italy. Now I continue with my goal: to perfect myself, eliminate flaws, and move up a level, one step at a time.
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