Poker Pro Amanda Musumeci Thriving Since Black Friday

Philadelphia poker pro Amanda Musumeci was signed by Team Bodog back in May 2010 after her impressive results combined with  glamorous looks came to the attention of the online gaming brand.
At the time of joining the then 25 year-old had amassed $200,000 playing MTT’s online, and was yet to cash in at a live tournament.
Just a year later and Amanda “Manderbutt” Musumeci had taken her online earnings up to an impressive $770,098 and also scored an 11th place finish at the $10k WPT in Lawrenceberg in April for $22,157.
A few days later, however, and Black-Friday occurred in the US leading to sponsorship deals ending with most US playing pros, including Amanda Musumeci whose contract ran out on April of this year.
That might very well have spelled the demise of her blossoming poker career, but instead of moving on to pastures new, the Kutztown University Speech/Mass Communications major instead saw an opportunity amidst all the upheaval.
Armed with skill and a good dose of optimism, Amanda Musumeci then headed to the 2011 WSOP in Vegas and ended up cashing in at 4 events for a combined $140,972, including a remarkable 62nd place finish in the Main Event for $130,997. As Amanda explains;
“I miss staring into my laptop. I was really excited about playing by the time the Series came around, so I went and found some backers…as far as the effect on my game, not having a patch helps. It makes me less recognizable. I think some pots I won this summer came from my blending in. I’d say in that way, not being sponsored became a favorable thing.”
Now that circumstances have forced Amanda Musumeci to transfer her poker skills away from the online arena, she is already proving to be a formidable live player and will now be looking forward to continued success on her new poker track. 
Amanda Musumeci’s near miss to Erika Moutinho (29th) at being the last woman standing at the 2011 WSOP Main Event also helped attract more positive attention to the young pro’s prowess. However, as Amanda Musumeci points out:
“I love opportunity. If last woman standing gives that woman notoriety, it’s a good thing. At the same time, I’m striving for overall poker success, not to be the best woman player.”