Nick Palma: 'I come from nothing – and I want to show what you can do'

I was kind of upset because it meant I had to restart from the beginning with another Day 1. I go to my table and this gentleman in a wheelchair was sitting in Seat 2. I heard him say, “Nicky P!” and I was wondering what was going on.

“You know who I am?” I asked him. He said, “Yeah, of course, I’m a big fan.” The dealer asked me for my ID and I jokingly said, “You didn't hear him say Nicky?” And Seat 2 says, “That’s Nick Palma!” I wanted to tear up at that point.

Seat 2 says, “That’s Nick Palma!” I wanted to tear up.

 

His wife came over and asked if I’d take a selfie with them. The guy – his name was John – was a big poker fan. Then, a couple of hours into the day, he whipped out his phone, opened up ODB Fantasy and showed me that he picked me for his fantasy team. 

It was amazing. I had a great day playing with them, and it just confirmed what I knew – poker is such a great game.

Team Palma

Where else do you get to compete at the highest level with so many people from all different walks of life? What other sport can we all compete together like that?

Usually you have to be fast, tall, strong, athletic. This is a mind sport where everyone starts on the same level, whether you're a woman, a man, whatever race you are. Everyone starts the same and no one has an advantage. 

I’m getting asked for selfies in the corridors too.

A bunch of people came up to me after my run-in with Hellmuth to say, “Good job.” After I busted the $3K, some random guy told me, “Nicky P, you got people rooting for you!”

This is happening a lot this summer, so that’s a great feeling. Who wouldn’t want people coming up and wanting a picture, or just rooting for them? I come from nothing, and I want to show what you can do if you have the right attitude and the right mindset.

I like to be an example for people that come from nothing. No matter what field you’re in, if you put in the work and stay dedicated, anything’s possible.

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Make mistakes, but own them

I make mistakes, like everyone else. But when you do, you need to own up to them.

The same day I played with John in the Monster Stack, I ran into Victoria Livschitz outside the Horseshoe.

We’d had some beef online, and I just went up to her and said, “Hey, I’m really sorry I was out of line.” I shook her hand and I said, “I don't want any ill will towards you or anyone,” and I wished her well.

Everyone should be able to admit when they're wrong – it’s not a weakness.

 

We were both in the wrong, but that’s okay. I'm wrong all the time, and I admit when I'm wrong. I think everyone should be able to admit when they're wrong – it’s not a weakness. A lot of people don't do it, especially Donald Trump, but it makes you feel good. And it’s human. No one’s perfect. 

I talk a lot of smack and I'm cocky, but I’m still human and we all make mistakes. I've always believed that the energy you give is the energy you get back. If you’re positive and give out good vibes, that’s going to come back. 

What about the poker? I’m up to seven live cashes now. I wake up and I get in the money. Now I just need to run a little bit better when the money comes around. But if you keep knocking on the door, eventually the door will open.

I'm super locked in and I expect to get a stack in every tournament I play. If a couple of things fall my way, I think I'll have another gold bracelet around the wrist.

Nick Palma's 2026 WSOP live cashes

• Event #1: $550 Mini Mystery Millions NLH – 2,330th: $622
• Event #2: $5,000 8-Handed NLH – 80th: $9,947
• Event #5: $5,000 8-Handed PLO – 75th: $9,944
• Event #10: $600 Deepstack NLH – 405th: $1,260
• Event #11: $10,000 GGMillion$ High Roller NLH – 76th: $19,999
• Event #28: $600 NLH/PLO Deepstack - 8-Handed – 116th: $1,815
• Event #32: $3,000 No LImit Hold’em – 126th: $6,027