This month, we take a look at Jason Zarlenga of Lansing. Zarlenga, originally from Boardman, Ohio, has three siblings (Joy, Jaime and Josh) and was raised by his parents James and Joyce. He went to Kent State and majored in finance with a minor in pre-law. He worked for Ace’s Gaming Supply at Trippers Poker Room as a dealer before having his breakout year, which helped him pad his career winnings to nearly $250K. He started off the run at the Mid-States Poker Tour event at Firekeepers Casino in Battle Creek, Mich., where he topped the field of 411 entries to pocket $101,482.
Next he went to Las Vegas for the World Series of Poker, earning a couple of cashes in bracelet events, including a 35th-place finish in Event 55 for $13,552 and a 382nd-place finish in the Millionaire Maker (Event 8).
In September, he went to Milwaukee for another MSPT event at Potawatomi Casino, and again he topped a massive field (487) to walk away with the $120,164 first prize. This win made Zarlenga the MSPT’s all-time money-winner and it put him in contention for MSPT Player of the Year.
He plans on following the circuit through May before heading to Vegas for the WSOP again. Congratulations on an excellent year.
— Email Scott at anteupscottm@gmail.com.
