Mustapha Kanit

Meet Mustapha Kanit, the 32-year-old Italian professional poker player who has carved his name into the annals of poker history. Born in Italy and currently residing in London, Kanit has achieved remarkable success both online under his moniker, “LASAGNAAAMMM” and on the live felt. With recorded earnings totalling an impressive $12,606,818, he holds the outstanding position of being second on the Italian All-Time Money list. Kanit is celebrated as one of the world’s best poker players, known for his charisma, yet simultaneously feared and loved at the tables—a true legend in the poker realm.

Mustapha Kanit: Early Life

Kanit grew up playing games, finding comfort and skill at the table from a young age. In 2006, he ventured into the world of online poker and saw it as a potential solution to his financial struggles. Starting with just €10, it took him two years of perseverance before he celebrated his first significant win of €2000. His inspiration sprouted from witnessing friends make money from games like Magic: The Gathering. Additionally, he looked up to renowned international players like Phil Ivey and Tom Dwan. This motivated him to intensify his poker studying striving to reach high-stakes games while maintaining confidence in his abilities.

At a young age, Mustapha packed his bags and explored Europe’s poker spots. He also worked on improving his skills while showcasing his exceptional talent for connecting with diverse people. This talent facilitated deep connections with people he encountered along the way. During this time, he worked briefly as a dealer in Milan to supplement his poker ambitions with a modest income. He also crossed paths with a friend with whom he formed a dynamic partnership. Together, they set a goal to raise €10,000, agreeing to share the winnings 50/50. When they achieved this milestone, they entered their first major live tournament in 2010, the Malta Poker Dream. There, he achieved a notable 2nd place finish, winning €53,500, which he split equally with his friend as agreed.

Mustapha Kanit: Poker Career

Kanit’s rise to fame started with his victory in the Italian Poker Tour event in Nova Gorica in March 2011. His initial triumph garnered attention within his home country. This victory indicated the beginning of his extraordinary talent being recognized by European poker professionals. The discovery took place six months later during the Partouche Poker Tour final.

Mustapha’s efforts soon bore fruit. His creativity flourished at the poker tables, resulting in a substantial increase in his bankroll. However, it was May 2015 that marked the pinnacle of his young career. During this remarkable year, Mustapha secured victories in two of the most prestigious online poker tournaments: the Spring championship of Online Poker (SCOOP) and the Fulltilt Of Online Poker Series (FTOPS).

Kanit accumulated a staggering $1.5 million in winnings from these triumphs. Additionally, he won at the EPT Monte Carlo, adding $1,048,243 to his earnings. He also clinched victory in the EPT Barcelona High Roller three months later, raking in $834,303. This string of successes was followed by a third-place finish in the 2015 WSOP Europe, where he pocketed a hefty $257,677.

Mustapha Kanit Continued success Online & Live

In 2016, as Mustapha celebrated his 25th birthday at the end of January, he continued his winning streak. He secured over $1 million in earnings during the weeks surrounding his birthday, including finishing in 4th place in the Super-High Roller PCA $100K event for $596,360. Additionally, he emerged victorious in the €25K High Roller at EPT Dublin, adding $567,460 to his winnings in February.

You might assume that Mustapha would take a rest and savor his success, as many young poker professionals do. However, for Mustapha Kanit, this was not the case. Barely two weeks after his victory in Dublin, he was back online, winning the PokerStars Sunday Million and claiming $177,229. This victory boosted his online winnings to over $4.25 million.

In 2017, Team Winamax welcomed Kanit from Italy and Adrian Mateos Diaz from Spain as professional brand ambassadors in Europe. This coincided with Winamax preparing to launch a shared online poker liquidity network in France, Italy, Spain, and Portugal. At that time, Kanit was Italy’s most profitable poker pro, boasting $9.2 million in live tournament earnings and a high-roller event presence.

Conclusion

Mustapha Kanit’s philosophy emphasizes the importance of embracing change and continuous self-improvement in the world of poker. His journey from tight to aggressive play underscores the value of experimentation and adaptability. He encourages players to analyze their hands, learn from their mistakes, and understand the strategies of their opponents.

Kanit’s rare combination of skill and approachability sets him apart in the poker world—a tough player welcomed with enthusiasm. The lingering question is whether he can sustain this inner drive and motivation in the next decade, an unwritten chapter in his poker career.