Another World Series draws to a close, and we have a new world
champion: Jerry Yang, former refugee from Laos, now a Californian social worker
with six children and a strong religious faith. His success has a dream quality
not seen since Chris Money-maker won the title in 2003; Yang has been playing
poker for only two years, and won into the tournament from a $225
satellite.
Now, of course, the debate begins as to whether he was
brilliant or just goddamn lucky. He played a lot of hands, often putting his
money in with the worst of it and hitting miracle cards. But with sharply
staggered final-table prizes ($8.25m for first place, $525k for ninth), it was
vital to play hard, and in my opinion it takes guts to do that when the
temptation is there to try to pass one's way up the ladder.
This year's WSOP will also be remembered
for some fireworks from the big names. The ludicrous spectacle of Phil "Poker
Brat" Hellmuth turning up at the main event in a racing car, crashing it into a
bollard, making a second big arrival in a limousine (still wearing bike
leathers), limping into the tournament arena and getting knocked out almost
immediately. Mike "The Mouth" Matusow wrestling on the floor with the poor
actor hired to wear a peanut costume to promote tournament sponsor Planters (as
if Matusow, himself plastered in Full Tilt logos, was any higher caste). Brandi
Hawbaker, controversial stripper-turned-player, telling an opponent to "Go fuck
yourself" when he tried to shake her hand.
Jerry Yang seems like a
humble, gentle fellow, who is donating 10% of his winnings to charity because
(he said tearfully when he won), "I know what it's like to be poor." Hurray for
another little-guy champion: the game needs his spirit, and I hope he hangs on
to it.
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he Guardian G2 Poker Column 
