Mariano Grandoli has played many six-figure pots on Hustler Casino Live, but none of them larger than the $909,400 showdown he took part in on the show's most recent High Stakes Friday game. You can watch it play out above, starting at the 07:28 mark.
According to the Highroll Poker database, Grandoli currently stands as the second-biggest winner in the show's history with $2,500,540 in net winnings – roughly $150,000 shy of the top spot held by his opponent in the hand, Peter Wang.
Before the clash with Wang, Grandoli was in danger of booking a sizable loss, as he was in the hole for about $300,000. With a single fortunate river card, however, everything changed.
River dreams for Mariano, nightmares for Wang
With the blinds at $200/$400 and the $800 straddle in play, Grandoli had about $453,000 in front of him when he kicked off the action – raising to $2,000 with 
on the button. Wang, next to act in the small blind with a covering stack, came along with 
and Jeff the Cash called from the straddle with 
. On the 
flop, Grandoli continued for $2,000 before Wang quickly raised to $10,000 with an open-ended straight draw.
Jeff the Cash couldn't continue with his holding, but Grandoli connected well enough to match the raise with a gutshot straight draw, backdoor flush draw, and positional advantage. The 
turn improved Grandoli's prospects as the flush draw materialized for him. With $26,800 in the middle, Wang ramped up the pressure with a $30,000 over-bet. Grandoli made the call and watched on as the dealer rolled over the 
on the river – an absolute dream card as he improved to the nut straight while Wang made a straight of his own.
"Even when Mariano runs horribly, he runs great," said Charlie Wilmoth from the commentary booth. "All of the run-bad we've seen from him today, it's all about to vanish."
With $86,800 in the pot, Wang opted for another over-bet sizing of $120,000.
"What an absurd setup this is," Wilmoth continued.
After a few moments of fake-tanking, Grandoli announced all-in for the rest of his $411,300. Wang instantly shot to his feet to get a better look at the board and, with visual confirmation of the runout, made the call – only to see the bad news as Grandoli quickly revealed his holding. Wang threw his cards onto the table to show the brutality of the cooler.
"How does a man run like this?" Wilmoth asked rhetorically.
