Poker wins, business spins and Roberto Romanello's triple triumph

February 11, 2025

Poker wins, business spins and Roberto Romanello's triple triumph

Poker is a game of skill, strategy, psychology, and luck. It continues to captivate millions worldwide, but the question is, what separates the card sharks from the minnows? Imagine facing a famous British actor across the felt, reading his every move, watching for a twitch, a hesitation, a tell. For those hoping to make a name for themselves in this fast-paced, high-stakes world, the poker table glistens with sweat and tears whilst hard work, perseverance, and self-belief form its core.

Roberto Romanello, charismatic poker professional and business extraordinaire, spoke exclusively with SiGMA News, offering priceless insight into the journey of mindset and mastery. From family values to the importance of self-belief, Roberto articulates his journey from football injury to poker Triple Crown and how it shaped where he is today in his betting tips business.

Dealing the first hand on Roberto’s poker journey

Roberto’s poker journey began most unexpectedly–with a football injury in 2005. After breaking his leg, he found solace in poker. Starting with small games at the back of his family’s chip shop in Swansea, Wales, Roberto reminisced, “We would put in £5 stakes and play all night. Sometimes, we’d finish the first game and play another for five pounds.” His confidence grew as he started winning consistently. He wanted more.

“We moved on to a pool hall across the road where they had poker nights. The games went from £5 to £10, and I was cleaning up two or three times a week,” he says. This success at a local level led him to seek bigger challenges. “Somebody told me they play poker in Swansea, just seven or eight minutes from my house. The buy-in was £20 on weeknights and £50 on Sundays,” he recalls.

His first experience at a larger venue was nerve-wracking. “I was sitting next to this very loud and confident Italian guy. I was shaking, feeling the butterflies in my stomach,” he recalls. Despite the nerves, Roberto’s natural ability shone through. Within a week and a half, Roberto gained confidence, consistently winning. “I was playing £1/£2 stakes in cash games and going home with at least £150 most nights,” he says, marking a turning point in his growing poker career.

From beginner to big-time

Roberto spread his wings to attend festivals around England and Wales the following year. His steady performances in these tournaments guided him to the UK Poker Tour, the biggest tournament in the UK, with a £1000 entry fee. “I was running deep in these tournaments, making final tables. I came third in one, picking up £100,000, which was huge money back then,” he reflects. In 2006, Roberto recorded his first ever cash at the Welsh Open in Swansea. The same year, he travelled to Las Vegas for his first World Series of Poker event, winning almost $40,000 (€38,724).

One unforgettable final table was with Michael Greco, a well-known actor who transitioned from acting to professional poker. Best known for playing Beppe di Marco in the popular British soap opera Eastenders, Greco has been involved in the poker community as a much-respected player and an ambassador for the game.

Roberto smiles as he remembers how the cards unfolded. “He was begging me for a deal. He knew I was on a different level. After the deal, they played a different game, losing the fear they had of me.” This moment taught him the importance of maintaining an edge over his opponents and was a vital lesson in the psychology of poker. “You want to keep them scared because they make lots of mistakes,” he says.

His first major win came at the European Poker Tour in Prague in December 2010. “When the last hand was dealt, and I was declared champion, it was a feeling I’d never experienced before,” he shares.

The victory was more than a financial reward; it was a personal triumph. “Winning that tournament was like nothing I’d ever felt before. I felt invincible. They say when you win major tournaments in poker, you go on, you’re fearless.” This success sparked a hunger for more, placing him on the path to poker greatness.

Triple crown success

Roberto’s determination led him to achieve the prestigious Triple Crown in poker, winning the European Poker Tour, the World Poker Tour in Bratislava in Slovakia in 2011, and the World Series of Poker Gold Bracelet in 2020. “To this day, only nine people have completed the Triple Crown, and I’m proud to be one of them,” he says. This achievement firmed his status as one of poker’s elite. Reflecting on his journey, Roberto notes, “It’s hard to win one major tournament, but to win three of the biggest tournaments in the world is a blessing.”

In the early days, Roberto was constantly on the move, travelling from one tournament to another, living out of a suitcase. His hunger and passion for the game fuelled his determination to win. Nowadays, Roberto balances his poker career with family life. An enduring theme of the entire interview is Roberto’s connection to his family and the important backbone this gives him as he navigates fatherhood, poker, and business. “My family is everything to me,” he emphasises.

Looking forward, Roberto has a clear vision for the next phase of his career. He plans to focus on the European poker circuit, choosing tournaments that catch his interest. One he never misses is the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. “In the summer, I’ll be there and probably play a huge schedule,” he shares. The World Series of Poker main event, with a first-place prize of around $10 million, remains a significant occasion. “Every event at the World Series will have a gold bracelet attached, something that somebody will have for a lifetime,” he notes.

The SiGMA Poker Tour

The SiGMA Poker Tour is an exciting new addition to the poker circuit, offering a blend of top-tier poker action and incredible networking opportunities. “The SiGMA Poker Tour is more than just poker; it’s an experience,” Roberto explains. The tour isn’t just about the game. It connects poker professionals and brings the poker community closer to the iGaming industry. Stopping in Brazil from April 9-14, 2025, and Malta from September 3-7, 2025, the tour promises a memorable experience.

Each stop gathers a blend of seasoned poker professionals and recreational players. Players can look forward to multiple daily tournaments with a guaranteed prize pool of €250,000 per stop. The tour will also integrate with SiGMA’s larger gaming summits. This gives participants access to exclusive networking events, glamourous dinners, concerts, affiliate meetups, and much more.

Roberto highlights the importance of such events for seasoned professionals and emerging players. “These events are great for networking and meeting new people. You never know what’s around the corner,” he says. In addition to the competitive thrill, the SiGMA Poker Tour is also dedicated to supporting local communities through its integration with the SiGMA Foundation. A percentage of buy-ins will be donated to support local projects, enriching the tour’s commitment to responsible gaming. “It’s important to play within your limits and stay in control,” Roberto advises.

SiGMA Group recently launched its inaugural PokerFace podcast, featuring SiGMA Poker Tour ambassador Lukas Robinson, known as RobinPoker, in the first episode. SiGMA Poker Tour also recently announced its other tour ambassadors, social influencer Jon Vlogs, former professional footballer John Arne Riise, and Norwegian poker champion Drea Karlsen.

Betting clever for the future

Roberto’s entrepreneurial journey took a pivotal turn when he founded betclever, a betting tips service that began on his mother’s veranda and has grown into a thriving business. Betclever focuses on providing the best odds and insights for bettors, leveraging cutting-edge technology and data analysis. “We’ve got an unbelievable tech guy on board, and we’re using AI-based number crunching to provide the best service we can,” he says.

It is clear that the journey of betclever is a testament to Roberto’s direction and vision, with a significant emphasis on family support. Roberto points out that he and his brothers always support each other in everything they do. “Whether it’s running our fish and chip restaurants or navigating the poker world, we rely on each other. Family is everything to me, and their support has been crucial to my success.”

The road to success for betclever involved a lot of trial and error. “We started going to conferences, where I met a lot of people and learned about the industry. We made mistakes, but we learned from them,” he explains.

As betclever grew, so did the team. The company expanded its services, offering daily betting tips, predictions, and insights across various sports. Roberto says, “We focus on providing the best price for the odds and bets, ensuring our users get the most value.”

Betclever use of AI and advanced algorithms sets it apart from other betting platforms. “Our tech guy, who lives in Brazil, has been instrumental in building our AI-based number-crunching system. This allows us to provide accurate and reliable betting tips,” Roberto explains.

The platform covers an extensive range of sports, from football to basketball and even horse racing, offering users a comprehensive and reliable betting experience. Roberto’s dedication to delivering top-tier betting solutions reflects the person he is–relentless in his desire to succeed not only for himself, but for his family and his community.

Fish, chips and full houses

In addition to his poker career, Roberto is deeply involved in his family’s restaurant business. “We have eight fish and chip restaurants around Swansea, Wales,” he says.

This business has been a passion for his family for generations. “My dad came over from Italy looking for work, and after a few years, he brought my mum over and started a family. They worked hard and built the business from the ground up,” Roberto explains. He and his brothers expanded the business, growing it to eight restaurants. “We still run these through franchise and one family-owned restaurant, the busiest one, which we run as a family business in our town,” he adds.

SiGMA’s value to the gaming industry

Our last topic concerns the SiGMA Europe Event, where we met at Portomaso Casino in St. Julian’s, Malta. Roberto elaborates on the value of these events: “They’re very good if you use them in the right way. I love meeting people, sitting down, having a drink, and chatting. Your business can grow from it. Being nice and helping others can lead to great opportunities. Sometimes, it might help the other person, but it all comes around. You might see someone in the future and think, ‘I know them,’ and it can have a massive impact on your business.”

Roberto Romanello’s journey from a football injury to poker stardom and business success is a testament to the power of persistence and self-belief.

His story inspires aspiring players and entrepreneurs alike. As Roberto puts it, “Poker is a game where you can go from feeling invincible to crashing down in a single hand. But that’s what makes it so exhilarating!”

*All images supplied by Roberto Romanello.