Spadavecchia cashed in a total of three World Series of Poker main events, the first coming in 1988.[1] The second cash was in 1994 where he made the final table, placing third, earning him $294,000.[2] The third came in 2007 where he placed 60th, earning him $154,194.[3]
He has cashed in the WSOP events more than two dozen times. Spadavecchia won his bracelet in the 1991 WSOP, defeating three-time bracelet winner Dewey Tomko, to win the title and $58,500 cash prize.[4] He came close to winning a second bracelet in 1995 in the $2,500 Seven Card Stud event, but lost to Dan Robison in the heads-up play.[5]
He has cashed in the World Series of Poker Circuit Events a total of seven times, including two first-place finishes, for a total of $791,796. That figure puts him third on the all-time total WSOP circuit event earnings list.[6] His biggest career win came in the 2005/2006 WSOP Circuit Event - Caesars Palace no limit hold 'em $10,000 buy-in Championship. There he placed first, earning him $648,320.[7] That win qualified him to play in the 2006 World Series of Poker Tournament of Champions.
As of 2009, his total live tournament winnings exceed $2,500,000.[8] His 26 cashes at the WSOP account for $1,104,613 of those winnings.[9]
Spadavecchia died on June 10, 2023 at the age of 84.[10]