Event 3: Poker Couple is All In

$500 + $60 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

Burnitz & Ruszkay

Poker romances often start because of the couple's time spent around the game, but for Matt Burnitz (Wilmington, DE) and Sam Ruszkay (Paoli, PA) it's a different story.

Ruszkay didn't know a thing about poker when they first met in 2006, but since then she's learned the game and is finding success.  "He's taught me everything I know," she says fresh off an Event 1 cash, the second of her tournament career.

"She didn't know much," says Burnitz, who has $630,000 in career tournament earnings, "so the level she's at now speaks volumes about her game."

Not only is Ruszkay plunging head first into Texas Hold'em, but she's taking the wedding plunge as the two are set for their wedding later this month.

"She's been playing a lot the last six months," says Burnitz, who is a full time pro whose biggest score came last September when he finished runner-up in the 2012 WPT Borgata Poker Open for $489,000.

The two will have a small ceremony after the Championship Event of the Borgata Summer Poker Open, but there won't be time for a honeymoon.

"He's off to Vegas for the World Series (WSOP)," says Ruszkay, "and I have to work."

Ruszkay, who works in the healthcare industry, will travel more in the future with Burnitz on the tournament circuit.  "Strictly recreationally," she says, "I want to stay up on my game and not lose what I have."

"She's a lot better at staying focused," says Burnitz, "she mentally strong and doesn't go on tilt easily.  It's easy to know, but hard to implement."

That's one thing Burnitz is learning from his future wife as they teach each other different aspects of the game.

"Strategy and betting," are two things Ruszkay highlights. "He's good at math, pot odds, percentages, stuff like that. It's not my strong suit."

Burnitz will be here throughout the series, while Ruszkay will play "when I can," before going all in with the wedding.

Burnitz at the 2012 WPT Final Table, Ruszkay at Borgata