Vanessa Rousso Back at the Poker Tables

 It’s been a while since we last saw Vanessa Rousso at the poker tables. The popular pro has been focusing on a career in music; DJing with Lisa Pittman under the appropriate name Deuces, and studying composition, music theory and digital production on the side. This year she participated in the latest season of the reality show Big Brother, where she came in third place after spending four months in the Big Brother house – playing a very strategically game; by many considered one of the best games that the show has ever seen. At the wrap party for Big Brother Rousso announced her engagement to long-term girl friend Melissa Ouellet:

The love of my life asked me to marry her last night…and I said YES!! NRSaQPkZfH

— Vanessa Rousso September 25, 2015

In the light of all these activities, it’s no wonder that Rousso has been a rare guest at the poker tables, but now she’s back, and yesterday she final tabled the Heartland Poker Tour $1,650 Main Event at Soaring Eagle Casino, Mount Pleasant.

The three-day event saw 465 entries, which created a prize pool of $666,600 – with $153,323 reserved for the winner. Rousso entered the final table with 1,081,000 (6th) in chips and Main Event Champion Joe Cada hot on her heels with 858,000. Craig Casino was the man to catch with around 3 million in chips.

Rousso was off to a great start as she knocked out Mark Johnson in 9th place with pocket jacks against his pair of tens. Rousso was now 4th in chips and looking good. Unfortunately Rousso doubled up Steve Hagar, when she called his shove with pocket tens and was up against his pocket aces, which held. Rousso was now one of the short stacks, and in what became her final hand, she was all in with A8 vs. Danny Hannawa’s A4. Hannawa hit a four on the flop, and Rousso was eliminated in 8^th place for $16,665:

Even tho I got unlucky in the end, I still made $16,665, so I can't complain…thank you ALL for your loyalty and support! I'm so blessed!

— Vanessa Rousso November 23, 2015

Congrats to Rousso on her deep run. We hope to see more of the experienced pro in the months to come. Craig Casino wound up winning the event with Jimmy Dennis as runner-up and Joe Cada in 3rd place.