JAMIE GOLD -- POKER CHAMPION So what is the story behind the $12,000,000 man who was chip leader from as early as day three of the 2006 Main Event and seemed to win it at a canter having assembled a remarkable stack of $60,000,000 going into the final straight?
FROM HUMBLE TO HOLLYWOOD Last year the winner of the World Series of Poker was a humble chiropractor from Australia who had never played poker as a professional and walked away with the then top prize of $7,500,000. Well this year’s winner, Jamie “Pure” Gold, comes from a slightly more rarefied atmosphere. $12,000,000 should make things even more rarefied! Jamie Gold is a thirty six year old television producer from Malibu, California. Prior to forming his own studio he was the agent for famous “Sopranos” super star James Gandolfini. I guess we can assume the new Gold finances will be well protected by an army of cigar puffing, poker playing, “made” men from New Jersey. Jamie comes fully loaded with sex appeal having also been the agent for “Desperate Housewives” star Felicity Huffman. So, all in all our new Champ is very much a part of the new Hollywood poker pack which includes the likes of Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, James Woods, Brad Pitt, Jennifer Tilley and an ever increasing cast of big name movie makers and shakers.
THE SECRET OF HIS SUCCESS Jamie has had the good fortune to have been taken under the wing of poker legend Johnny “Orient Express” Chan at an early stage in his career. Modestly, Gold credits Chan with much of his new found success which he is dedicating to his dying father, a life long poker fan.
BORN TO WIN IT! As a historical footnote to the new Champ, Jamie Gold was born in 1970, the same year Benny Binion gave birth to the World Series of Poker. Synchronicity? I’d bet on it. But then I’d bet on snails racing on jelly.
POKER TIP OF THE DAY Last night, following some fairly heavy betting in a hard fought online game, it came down to me “heads up” with a lady. Now I don’t care however politically correct a guy becomes, he still thinks, “A lady? Gotta be a push-over!” Forget it. I took a battering losing my confident straight to a crushing four-of-a-kind . How is this information a tip of the day? Well, look out for her online monika because maybe it should’ve been warning enough for me but I chose to overlook the vibe! Her name? Claudie Eyesout! I kid you not. Stay well away. (I’m telling myself she’s really a male professional super star Champ with an identity crisis.)
