Friday, August 11, 2006
Jamie Gold Wins the 2006 World Series of Poker
Jamie Gold became the next poker star with his win of the 2006 World Series of Poker Main Event.
In doing so, he won a cool $12,000,000 in cash.
Gold personally eliminated seven of his eight opponents at the final table. By the time he administered the coup de grace to runner-up Paul Wasicka, Gold had over $70 million of the 87 million chips in the tournament.
So who the Hell is Jamie Gold?
Here's what I know about him.
1. He is a former Hollywood talent agent.
2. Mr. Gold helped to launch the careers of James Gandolfini, Jimmy Fallon, Kristin Davis and Felicity Huffman.
3. He lives in Malibu, California. Apparently, he was already doing pretty well.
4. Throughout the tornament, Gold has been mentored by two-time former main event champ, Johnny Chan. I wonder if Mr. Chan will recieve a consulting fee.
5. Jamie Gold met Johnny Chan when they began producing a television show together. Another story says Gold gave Chan free agent representation in exchange for poker lessons. NOTE: One of these stories sounds apocryphal, but I don't know which one.
6. On ESPN's first ever pay-per-view broadcast of the main event yesterday, Phil Hellmuth picked up a tell on Mr. Gold. Hellmuth said the champ fondled his chips differently when he had a big hand.
Interestingly, on the final bluff that put out Wasicka, Mr. Wasicka claimed he had been able to read Gold all day, but guessed wrong this time.
7. Gold's mother was in attendance.
8. Gold's father could not attend. He is dying of Lou Gehrig's Disease.
9. He quit his talent scout job to become an agent six months ago.
10. Jamie Gold plays the big money game at the Commerce Casino in Los Angeles.
11. Bodog.com bought his way in. Apparently, he was part of a group of "celebrity" players Bodog payed for, including Mekhi Fifer and Dean Cain.
12. Gold studied entertainment law at UCLA. What the heck is entertainment law? I guess only in L.A.
13. He is reportedly neighbors with Chris "Jesus" Ferguson.
14. Gold said at one time he might dump his chips to come in second. He isn't comfortable with the fame of being the champ. Better get comfortable with it now, buddy.
15. I may end up hating this guy. Come on, the World Series of Poker got huge because the common guy was winning. Not some Hollywood producer. Doesn't want the attention, huh?
"Hey, look at me, I don't want the fame of being a rich poker player. I just want to go back to my cozy, anonymous life as a Hollywood producer in Malibu." Argh.
In doing so, he won a cool $12,000,000 in cash.
Gold personally eliminated seven of his eight opponents at the final table. By the time he administered the coup de grace to runner-up Paul Wasicka, Gold had over $70 million of the 87 million chips in the tournament.
So who the Hell is Jamie Gold?
Here's what I know about him.
1. He is a former Hollywood talent agent.
2. Mr. Gold helped to launch the careers of James Gandolfini, Jimmy Fallon, Kristin Davis and Felicity Huffman.
3. He lives in Malibu, California. Apparently, he was already doing pretty well.
4. Throughout the tornament, Gold has been mentored by two-time former main event champ, Johnny Chan. I wonder if Mr. Chan will recieve a consulting fee.
5. Jamie Gold met Johnny Chan when they began producing a television show together. Another story says Gold gave Chan free agent representation in exchange for poker lessons. NOTE: One of these stories sounds apocryphal, but I don't know which one.
6. On ESPN's first ever pay-per-view broadcast of the main event yesterday, Phil Hellmuth picked up a tell on Mr. Gold. Hellmuth said the champ fondled his chips differently when he had a big hand.
Interestingly, on the final bluff that put out Wasicka, Mr. Wasicka claimed he had been able to read Gold all day, but guessed wrong this time.
7. Gold's mother was in attendance.
8. Gold's father could not attend. He is dying of Lou Gehrig's Disease.
9. He quit his talent scout job to become an agent six months ago.
10. Jamie Gold plays the big money game at the Commerce Casino in Los Angeles.
11. Bodog.com bought his way in. Apparently, he was part of a group of "celebrity" players Bodog payed for, including Mekhi Fifer and Dean Cain.
12. Gold studied entertainment law at UCLA. What the heck is entertainment law? I guess only in L.A.
13. He is reportedly neighbors with Chris "Jesus" Ferguson.
14. Gold said at one time he might dump his chips to come in second. He isn't comfortable with the fame of being the champ. Better get comfortable with it now, buddy.
15. I may end up hating this guy. Come on, the World Series of Poker got huge because the common guy was winning. Not some Hollywood producer. Doesn't want the attention, huh?
"Hey, look at me, I don't want the fame of being a rich poker player. I just want to go back to my cozy, anonymous life as a Hollywood producer in Malibu." Argh.
