Gold's Poker
Face Wins Him $12 Million
By RYAN NAKASHIMA , 08.14.2006
When Jamie Gold bluffed, his opponents folded. When he had the best
hand, they threw in all their chips. With a run of cards, a huge chip
stack and an uncanny knack for reading other players, Gold, a talkative
former Hollywood talent agent, cajoled his way to victory Friday at
the World Series of Poker for the $12 million grand prize.
"I was just lucky sometimes, and sometimes I
outplayed people," said Gold, a 36-year-old Malibu, Calif., resident.
"I just feel really fortunate. I was playing some great poker.
The best poker of my life."
The 12-day marathon that began with a record field
of 8,733 players ended with the flourish that Gold made his trademark.
With 3.9 million in chips in the pot, Gold declared "all in"
and stood beside the pile of cash at the table to convince the last
remaining player, Paul Wasicka, it was his for the taking.