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Posted by on Nov 13, 2013 in Blog, General Poker | 5 comments

Mike “Little Man” Sica Passes Away

 

Mike Little Man Sica

 

I’ve just learned Michael “Little Man” Sica has passed away.

Sica may have been known as “Little Man” a nickname given for his smallish stature.  But he was a giant of joy and one of the funniest and most decent people I’ve ever met in poker.

 

He lived in northern New Jersey and was a popular player in East Coast poker rooms and at major poker events over the past twenty years.  I’ve seen him many times at WSOP Circuit events in Atlantic City.  He also played at the WSOP in Las Vegas every year.

SEE MIKE SICA’S WSOP RECORD HERE

I’ve enjoyed many meals and many laughs with Sica over the years.  During all those times, I don’t remember him ever saying a bad word about anyone.  He was full of smiles and good cheer, no matter what happened at the poker table.  I hope he’s remembered for his positive attitude, because we need more of that, and more people like him.

In 2004, Sica won a WSOP gold bracelet, his first major poker victory.  I remember that event well because at the time it made poker history.

Below is part of the official report of Sica’s victory that I penned nine years ago:

 

Michael “Little Man” Sica Wins Half Million Dollars at World Series of Poker

Mike Sica did something truly extraordinary. He won the largest prize pool ever for the non-main event. In the 35-year history of the World Series of Poker, no event beyond the $10,000 buy-in world championship has ever awarded so much in prize money. A staggering figure – nearly $1.8 million – was split between the top 63 finishers. Standing alone at the top of the money list was Sica – who was thrilled to win his first gold bracelet.

The tournament was more of a marathon run than a poker game. It ran so long on day two (including most of the final table) that play was finally suspended as the sun was about to come upon the third day. No non-main event had ever run into the third day, but the number of entries and ferocious competitiveness of the finalists meant that play was resumed on day three. The race concluded with Sica crossing the finish line first.

This was the first tidal wave in a series of events during the final week that is expected to push the total WSOP prize pool for 2004 to over $40 million. Poker is now bigger than ever, and anyone who doubts the game has now reached astronomical popularity is invited to watch and see what happens in a few days – when the main event of the World Series is set to begin. If last year was the “sonic boom” for poker – with 839 entries – this year’s championship may very well be a volcanic explosion that will ignite a firestorm of popularity far beyond what anyone could have ever imagined.

My deepest condolences go to Michael Sica’s family.  He will be remembered as fondly as he will be missed.

5 Comments

  1. Hi Nolan,

    That was a nice little tribute to Little Man. He took me under his wing back in 2005 and I learned so much from him. I also know for a fact he really had a lot of respect for you.

    I have been crying most of the evening and I will never forget my friend.

    Thx
    Michael

    PS – I miss you on the circuit

  2. Hands down one of the best highlights of my time consulting for Borgata was seeing Mike and his smile. Amazing guy and auch a wonderful spirit. Definitely been a hard two days as I keep seeing him at the tables greeting me with a smile and a hug whenever I think of him. Thanks Nolan for your piece. Poker and humanity loat a good one with his passing. My heart goes out to his family and friends. He touched everyone he met with his wonderful personality.

  3. I feel sad for not having run into this man.

    What a great piece Nolan.

    R.I.P Little man..

  4. Hi Nolan Long time—- Your article about Mike jogged me into thinking how i bonded with him several yrs ago, we met in Reno at one of the Pot of Gold tourneys and then played at the same table in one of the larger events a few mos later Well John Bonetti Eskimo and several big names played in this and I happened to have a couple of prehistoric fossilized sharks teeth on the table and everyone is always curious about these things So bonetti asks to see one and it is the size diameter of a persons hand He wants to buy it and so does this kid next to him they get info a bidding war and during this the kid says maybe he’ll try to get one elsewhere Mike chirps in yeah I’m sure you’ll run into another sharkstooth salesman when u break to another table To which we all roared and belly laughed at the absurdity of the moment. Ever since every time he saw me he would point and or bring up the story and infectious laughter ensued.. I am as sad as anyone to find out hes gone, but for that memory and joy of humor that he brought everywhere, this is the slice of life that I’ll always treasure Feel free to use this if u want Hope to see u down the road God Bless your friend Craig DiSalvo<>

    • Craig,
      This is Mike Sica’s daughter. I just pulled up this article and came across this shark tooth story. Dad always came out with spontaneous, spur of the moment responses like that which sent others into hysterics. He was one of a kind.
      Sincerely,

      Michele Sica Selesky

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