The WSOP Main Event is a tournament unlike any other. Gathering thousands of players and featuring a field made up of hardened professionals, complete amateurs, and everything in between, it continues to write new stories and create unforgettable memories.

One of this year’s stories is that of Aaron Barone, one of the most prominent 888poker ambassadors and the man whose focus is largely on online poker. But, like so many others, Barone can’t resist the allure of the Main Event, and this year, that passion for the game was handsomely rewarded.

After six long days of play, Barone’s run through the tournament ended with a 65th-place finish, which was good for $125,000 — his best live career score by far. The finish was a significant improvement on last year’s run, which saw him exit the tournament in 326th spot.

For the Love of the Game

For some of the hardcore grinders, the Main Event is just another tournament on the summer schedule. For others, Barone included, it is a special occasion that deserves to be savored and enjoyed.

The 888poker pro played his first Main four years ago. Although he failed to make money that year and busted before the bubble the year following, Barone kept the passion burning, with the goal of making it one more day the next time.

That approach finally paid off in 2025 when he made a deep run in the tournament, outlasting all but a few hundred players and cashing for $45,000. This year, he came in with a positive attitude and shared his journey with the world from the very first moment, and made it all the way to the last few tables.

Of course, despite it being his career-best, busting out of the biggest tournament in the world so close to the final table and having outlasted over 9,000 players has to hurt. But Aaron chooses to focus on the positive.

Throughout the event, he kept posting about the Main Event magic and even joked about how that magic was lost on some players who look to squeeze out every ounce of EV out of every tournament they play.

For Barone, the Main Event remains special. Like so many others who make a living playing poker, he is no stranger to the grind, countless hours spent behind the screen, and less-than-glamorous moments that make up the biggest part of every grinder’s routine. But the Main Event brings back that passion that led him to the game in the first place.

A True Poker Ambassador

Aaron Barone may not be the biggest name in the poker space. With the bulk of his career devoted to the virtual felt, he doesn’t get nearly as much exposure as many pros who focus on the live circuit.

However, the way he handled his Main Event run and the time he devoted to sharing his excitement with the rest of the world tells you all you need to know about his love for the game and the desire to spread that message as far and as wide as possible.

The first thing he did after what had to be a painful exit was to send a message to everyone who supported him and everyone he met along the way, expressing how grateful he was to be in this spot in the first place.

Poker is a fickle game, and results are never guaranteed. But it’s the way you approach it that largely defines your success — and Aaron Barone is doing it right.

So, if you happen to run into him at one of the upcoming 888poker LIVE festivals, don’t hesitate to say hello, ask a question, or simply strike up a conversation about the game that connects us all. Poker could certainly do with more ambassadors like Aaron!