Eugene Tito "The Machine"

Eugene Tito is an American citizen based in Glendale, California. Originally from Catanduanes province in the Philippines, Tito found himself in familiar yet unfamiliar territory when he saw action in the recently concluded Manila Super Series 22 in the Philippines. It was there that Somuchpoker caught up with him for an exclusive interview, diving into his poker journey.

Getting To Know Eugene Tito

If one looks up Eugene Tito’s poker achievements, he has a few cashes in his motherland for a grand total of ₱219,600 (~US$ 3,895), including a 49th place finish in the MSS 22 Main Event for ₱51,000 (~US$ 905). Those are decent numbers for many Filipino campaigners, but Tito does most of his hauling in the United States where he has taken down 11 titles and finished third in WSOP Bracelet event last year for his largest payout of US$ 407,970. 

Tito has amassed US$ 1,716,710 (to date) in his poker career—and he’s not even a full-time professional…at least not anymore.

I’ve been a hospital administrator for 22 years. It’s hard to give up a six-figure income.

He still lists the Ridgecrest Healthcare Center in California as his business address. Tito’s earliest recorded cash came in 2002 when he min-cashed in a small tournament in Gardena, California. It wasn’t until a few years after when he began to invest more time and effort in honing his skills.

It was in 2007, that’s when I started playing seriously. They called me ‘The Machine’ because I played the daily tournament, like maybe out of seven I went to final table five times. And then 2009, that’s where I turned professional. I won the Los Angeles Poker Classic for $125K but after six months, I burned out. My excitement was gone, so I went back to work.

Balancing Work And Play

Tito had migrated to the United States in 1987 and in just over two decades later found himself at a crossroads. Returning to his regular job, he found solace in knowing that he could still be active in the game as a “weekend warrior” and still churn out meaningful outcomes.

Normally on the weekends, I tell my department that I will play poker. So as much as possible, don’t disturb me if it’s not an emergency but you call always call because I work 24/7.

The Filipino “Balikbayan” (connoting an individual who has returned to the Philippines) was delighted about the experience of playing in MSS 22.

I’m very impressed with Pokerstars. Actually, they run tournaments very well. Even the dealers I’m very impressed with them.

Now that he has successfully put all his children through school, Tito can concentrate on his game further, albeit not as grizzled professional. He also weighs in the possibility of returning to the Philippines for good.

I still have five years before my retirement. So maybe I might stay six months here in the Philippines and six months in the United States. It’s really hard because more than half of my life, I’ve been there. But again, my children are here. I have four daughters here and I have four in United States and so perhaps when the time comes.

Biggest Achievement And Advice To Newcomers

Tito’s biggest poker achievement was still coming so close to a WSOP bracelet in the 2024 WSOP at Event #5 NLH – Mystery Millions.

We’re talking about 18,409 players. So, it’s not really easy. To land in third place is a really big achievement, because normally in LA we only have maybe the most is 500 to 700 players depending on how much the guarantee is. Sometimes they have $100,000 guarantee and $500 buy-in so a lot of players normally play because they love one day events.

Tito does have advice to the Filipinos who intend on taking the next step.

I think they need to know their stuff. What I mean by that is they need to know the probabilities and they need to read books. When you go internationally and  you’re not equipped, they swallow you. Because if you only depend on your experience, but you don’t know the number or probabilities, it’s going to be very hard. So my advice is know your probabilities, know the numbers.

He has proven this after having multiple six-figure cashes. Tito — whose surname in the Philippines means “Uncle”— could be the inspirational adviser to the budding Filipinos who want to attain even a fraction of his successes on the felt. Hospital Administrator by trade, “The Machine” by passion.

*Second photo by Pokernews