BRONX, N.Y. - Ronald Mici is getting ready to sit at the poker table with the best players in the world.

"They’re top dogs. I’m the underdog going in there. So I love that. That’s the best part about it," said the 25-year-old.

In September, Mici won $5,000 in cash and $25,000 to cover the cost of a seat in the PokerStars Players’ No Limit Hold ‘Em Championship. It’s the biggest poker tournament in the world with a $9,000,000 prize pool.

"People wait for this all year. It’s like the Super Bowl of poker," Mici said.

He earned the all-expense paid trip to the championship in the Bahamas after beating 1,300 other players at a qualifying tournament at the Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut. By doing so, he turned his $86 entry fee into the opportunity of a lifetime. His winning hand was pocket deuces.

After playing for 16 straight hours at Foxwoods, Mici drove straight to work at the World Trade Center complex. He works as a janitor at the Oculus. Mici also works part-time as a security guard at night. He says he puts in 18 hours some days so he has enough money for poker.

He credits his parents who migrated from Albania and also have maintenance jobs for teaching him to work hard to achieve his dreams. He discovered his aptitude for poker as a student at Lehman High School playing Texas Hold ‘Em on an app. He never went to college.

"I like math, numbers and percentages and odds come into play in this game," Mici said.

His friends are helping him get ready for the tournament by playing poker with him at least five hours a week.

"In life it’s like you get two cards every day as well. Some days you win, some days you lose and some days you break even,” said Mici of how he sees his chances of winning the major tournament. "I’m living out my dream little by little. So no matter what happens, I’m a winner."

The PokerStars Players’ No Limit Hold ‘Em Championship begins on Sunday.