blonde poker

 
After two gruelling weeks of Main Event festivity, Jerry Yang of Temecula, California finally became the 2007 World Series of Poker Champion when he defeated Tuan Lam heads up to take home 8.25 million dollars in prize winnings and etch his name into World Series history.

Going into the final, the chip counts looked as such:

Philip Hilm -- $22,070,000
Tuan Lam -- $21,315,000
Jon Kalmar -- $20,320,000
Raymond Rahme -- $16,320,000
Lee Childs -- $13,240,000
Lee Watkinson -- $9,925,000
Hevad 'Rain' Khan -- $9,205,000
Jerry Yang -- $8,450,000
Alex Kravchenko -- $6,570,000

Whilst the final table was an eclecticism of nationalities and different personalities, the most entertaining moment probably came in the first exit of the day, start of day chip leader, Philip Hilm, shocking everyone by succumbing to the Laos Express that was Jerry Yang, his 8d-5d on a Kd-Jd-5c-2h board failing to improve against Yang’s A-Ko, the inevitably massive pot flinging the psychology graduate into a Jamie Gold-esque chip lead.

And although lacking the experience of most of his final table opponents and playing as a self-confessed rookie, Yang would go on to extend that chip lead further, his ultra-aggressive play disposing of Lee Watkinson (A-9 vs. A-7), Lee Childs (J-8 vs. K-J) and multi-tabling prodigy Haved ‘Rain’ Khan (J-J vs. A-Q).

In fact, it wasn’t until South African veteran Raymond Rahme clashed with Jon ‘Skalie’ Kalmar that we witnessed a non-Yang influenced exit, the Chorleyville legend finishing on the wrong side of the most expensive coin-flip he’ll ever endure when his A-K all-in was called by Rahme’s Jacks, a frustratingly raggy board sealing his fate.

Naturally disappointed not to have gone all the way, Jon departed with a smile, safe in the knowledge that he was 1 million to the good. Heavily supported on the forums, his achievement was celebrated throughout the nation with his constant happy go-lucky attitude garnering him enough respect to last a lifetime.

But this wasn’t to be Skalie’s day, the European baton being past confidently over to bracelet winner Alexander Kravchenko, but although the Russian shortstacker stayed alive with multiple all-ins, he would eventually become the 5th man to feel the wrath of Yang, his Big Slick no match for the Californian’s Pocket Snowmen after what was a long and strenuous session of 4-way action.

And with that, Yang’s WSOP triumph looked set in stone, first Flopping an Ace with A-5 to outdraw Rahme’s Pocket Kings before winning yet another 50-50 two hours later against heads up victim, Tuan Lam, with Eights vs. A-Q.

It took approximately 17 hours for this year’s final table to draw to a conclusion, and although we commenced with fireworks, the pace would ultimately settle down with 4 left with the seemingly unstoppable Yang now beginning to double up his opponents. But just as they threatened to overhaul him, he survived a crucial hand against Alex Kravchenko to re-seize control of the game and go on to take the victory that had been predicted since the first exit of the day.

A 39-year-old psychologist and social worker from southern California, Jerry Yang was a proud winner and represented the magic of the World Series. Originating from a life of poverty in the mountains of Laos where he couldn’t even afford a marble, Yang moved to America at the tender age of 13 with no knowledge of the English language. However, six children and a master’s degree later, Yang proved that anything was possible, and further cemented this theory by turning $225 into a $8.25 million World Series of Poker victory.

Attributing much of his success to God, this former missionary pledged 10% of winnings to his charity, insuring that Make-A-Wish Foundation, Feed the Children, and the Ronald McDonald House all profited from his Main Event success.

It’s been a fascinating World Series, but I believe Yang to be a worthy winner. Although his constant referrals to God grated on some, he played with an undeniable passion and wore a smile throughout. He is polite, courteous and should make for a great World Champion. Good luck to him.