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| Final Table Player Biographies and Profiles 2006 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event Final Table |
| 2006 World Series of Poker $10,000 Buy-in No Limit Hold'em World Championship - Main Event Final Table Players Bio's and Profile |
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SEAT 1:
Hometown:
Chip Count:
Hometown:
Chip Count:
Richard Lee
San Antonio, Texas
11,820,000
San Antonio, Texas
11,820,000
Richard Lee a 55-year-old investor from San Antonio, Texas. He was born in
Honolulu, Hawaii. This is the second straight year that Richard has played at
the World Series of Poker. This is his first time to cash and first time ever to
make it to a final table. Prior to this, Richard’s best poker finish was 12th
place at last year’s Grand Slam of Poker held in Los Angeles. Richard is
married and has three grown children. When asked what he wants the rest
of the world to know about him, Richard said, “I love my family, my country,
and San Antonio!” He arrives third today in the chip count.
Honolulu, Hawaii. This is the second straight year that Richard has played at
the World Series of Poker. This is his first time to cash and first time ever to
make it to a final table. Prior to this, Richard’s best poker finish was 12th
place at last year’s Grand Slam of Poker held in Los Angeles. Richard is
married and has three grown children. When asked what he wants the rest
of the world to know about him, Richard said, “I love my family, my country,
and San Antonio!” He arrives third today in the chip count.
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SEAT 2:
Hometown:
Chip Count:
Hometown:
Chip Count:
Erik Friberg
Stockholm, Sweden
9,605,000
Stockholm, Sweden
9,605,000
Erik Friberg is a 23-year-old professional online poker player from Stockholm,
Sweden. He represents a growing legion of Scandinavian poker superstars
who have come to the WSOP and won prize money. In fact, Sweden now
ranks as the most successful country in terms of number of players compared
to in-the-money finishers. Erik plays mostly on the Internet and won the
Swedish Poker Challenge in 2005. His poker nickname, “Lilar” means,
appropriately enough, “gambler.” Prior to taking up poker for a living, he was
a college student. Erik is already guaranteed at least a million-and-a-half
dollars in what is his first year to play at the World Series. He arrives fourth
today in the chip count.
Sweden. He represents a growing legion of Scandinavian poker superstars
who have come to the WSOP and won prize money. In fact, Sweden now
ranks as the most successful country in terms of number of players compared
to in-the-money finishers. Erik plays mostly on the Internet and won the
Swedish Poker Challenge in 2005. His poker nickname, “Lilar” means,
appropriately enough, “gambler.” Prior to taking up poker for a living, he was
a college student. Erik is already guaranteed at least a million-and-a-half
dollars in what is his first year to play at the World Series. He arrives fourth
today in the chip count.
SEAT 3:
Hometown:
Chip Count:
Hometown:
Chip Count:
Paul Wasickca
Westminster, Colorado
7,970,000
Westminster, Colorado
7,970,000
Paul Wasickca is a 25-year-old poker player who used to work as a bartender
and restaurant manager. He was born in Dallas, Texas -- and now lives in
Westminster, Colorado. Paul started playing poker about two years ago and
has already cashed six times at major poker tournaments, including 14th
place in a previous No-Limit Hold’em event held at this year’s World Series.
His poker nickname is “Kwick Fish.” When asked what he wants the rest of
the world to know about him, Paul said, “I have the best friends and family
anyone could ask for.” He arrives fifth today in the chip count.
and restaurant manager. He was born in Dallas, Texas -- and now lives in
Westminster, Colorado. Paul started playing poker about two years ago and
has already cashed six times at major poker tournaments, including 14th
place in a previous No-Limit Hold’em event held at this year’s World Series.
His poker nickname is “Kwick Fish.” When asked what he wants the rest of
the world to know about him, Paul said, “I have the best friends and family
anyone could ask for.” He arrives fifth today in the chip count.
SEAT 4:
Hometown:
Chip Count:
Hometown:
Chip Count:
Dan Nassif
St. Louis, Missouri
2,600,000
St. Louis, Missouri
2,600,000
Dan Nassif is a 33-year-old account executive from St. Louis, Missouri. Dan
took his vacation time away from work to enter and play in this year’s World
Series. That certainly turned out to be a terrific decision. Not too many
vacations pay the kind of money Dan is sure to make over this two-week
period. Nassif has played fabulous poker in this championship event,
although he has frequently been one of the shorter stacks at his table. He
arrives with the biggest test of anyone today – ninth place in the chip
count.
took his vacation time away from work to enter and play in this year’s World
Series. That certainly turned out to be a terrific decision. Not too many
vacations pay the kind of money Dan is sure to make over this two-week
period. Nassif has played fabulous poker in this championship event,
although he has frequently been one of the shorter stacks at his table. He
arrives with the biggest test of anyone today – ninth place in the chip
count.
SEAT 5:
Hometown:
Chip Count:
Hometown:
Chip Count:
Allen Cunningham
Las Vegas, Nevada
17,770,000
Las Vegas, Nevada
17,770,000
Allen Cunningham is a 29-year-old professional poker player from Las Vegas,
Nevada. He is easily the most accomplished poker player of today’s final
nine. Allen has won four WSOP gold bracelets – for Seven-Card Stud in 2001,
Deuce-to-Seven Lowball in 2002, No-Limit Hold’em in 2005, and another No-
Limit Hold’em championship in 2006. Allen burst onto the poker scene back in
1998 as one of the young guns – along with Phil Ivey, Daniel Negreanu,
Layne Flack, John Juanda, and others – who have collectively revolutionized
the game of poker with their talent and ambition. A victory today would seal
Cunningham’s place as perhaps the greatest player in the game today. He
arrives second in the chip count.
Nevada. He is easily the most accomplished poker player of today’s final
nine. Allen has won four WSOP gold bracelets – for Seven-Card Stud in 2001,
Deuce-to-Seven Lowball in 2002, No-Limit Hold’em in 2005, and another No-
Limit Hold’em championship in 2006. Allen burst onto the poker scene back in
1998 as one of the young guns – along with Phil Ivey, Daniel Negreanu,
Layne Flack, John Juanda, and others – who have collectively revolutionized
the game of poker with their talent and ambition. A victory today would seal
Cunningham’s place as perhaps the greatest player in the game today. He
arrives second in the chip count.
SEAT 6:
Hometown:
Chip Count:
Hometown:
Chip Count:
Michael Binger
Atherton, California
3,140,000
Atherton, California
3,140,000
Michael Binger is a 29-year-old part-time poker pro originally from Delray
Beach, Florida, who also has career ambitions as a theoretical physicist. He
now lives in Atherton, California. Just two months ago, he earned his PhD in
physics from Stanford University. This is the second year that Michael has
played at the World Series. He made the final table of the $1500 buy-in No-
Limit Hold’em event – finishing sixth and earning $100,000. Michael has a
major challenge ahead of him today, as he arrives eighth in the chip
count.
Beach, Florida, who also has career ambitions as a theoretical physicist. He
now lives in Atherton, California. Just two months ago, he earned his PhD in
physics from Stanford University. This is the second year that Michael has
played at the World Series. He made the final table of the $1500 buy-in No-
Limit Hold’em event – finishing sixth and earning $100,000. Michael has a
major challenge ahead of him today, as he arrives eighth in the chip
count.
SEAT 7:
Hometown:
Chip Count:
Hometown:
Chip Count:
Douglas Kim
Martsdale, New York
6,770,000
Martsdale, New York
6,770,000
Doug Kim is a 22-year-old financial consultant from Martsdale, New York. He
was born in Yonkers, New York. Doug recently graduated from Duke
University with a degree in economics. He also enjoys video games when he
is not playing poker. Doug primarily plays online poker. This is his first time
ever to cash -- not just at the World Series -- but in a poker tournament.
Doug arrives today sixth in the chip count.
was born in Yonkers, New York. Doug recently graduated from Duke
University with a degree in economics. He also enjoys video games when he
is not playing poker. Doug primarily plays online poker. This is his first time
ever to cash -- not just at the World Series -- but in a poker tournament.
Doug arrives today sixth in the chip count.
SEAT 8:
Hometown:
Chip Count:
Hometown:
Chip Count:
Jamie Gold
Malibu, California
25,650,000
Malibu, California
25,650,000
Jamie Gold is a 36-year-old television producer from Malibu, California. He
was born in New York City. Prior to running his own studio, Gold was a
Hollywood agent with an impressive stable of talented actors -- including
“The Sopranos” star James Gandolfini and “Desperate Housewives” co-star
Felicity Huffman. Gold has also represented and credits much of his poker
success to mentor Johnny Chan. This is Jamie’s 15th time to cash in a major
poker tournament, and his first time ever to make it to a WSOP final table.
He has been the most dominant player in the championship event over the
past four days – and has been the chip leader since Day Three. Gold is
dedicating himself to winning the world championship for his ailing father,
who is in the late stages of ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). He says, “I want to
make him proud for the little time he has left.” Gold is the chip leader at
today’s final table.
was born in New York City. Prior to running his own studio, Gold was a
Hollywood agent with an impressive stable of talented actors -- including
“The Sopranos” star James Gandolfini and “Desperate Housewives” co-star
Felicity Huffman. Gold has also represented and credits much of his poker
success to mentor Johnny Chan. This is Jamie’s 15th time to cash in a major
poker tournament, and his first time ever to make it to a WSOP final table.
He has been the most dominant player in the championship event over the
past four days – and has been the chip leader since Day Three. Gold is
dedicating himself to winning the world championship for his ailing father,
who is in the late stages of ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). He says, “I want to
make him proud for the little time he has left.” Gold is the chip leader at
today’s final table.
SEAT 9:
Hometown:
Chip Count:
Hometown:
Chip Count:
Rhett Butler
Rockville, Maryland
4,815,000
Rockville, Maryland
4,815,000
Rhett Butler is a 44-year-old insurance agent from Rockville, Maryland.
Originally from Baltimore, Rhett is married and has three children. He holds a
college degree from James Madison University and has been playing poker for
25 years. Incredibly, this is his first time ever to cash in a poker tournament
– and he’s now a millionaire. Rhett says proudly, “I’m playing in this
tournament for my family and friends.” Or, as Clark Gable would say, “Frankly
my dear – I DO give a damn.” Rhett Butler starts off seventh in the chip
count.
Originally from Baltimore, Rhett is married and has three children. He holds a
college degree from James Madison University and has been playing poker for
25 years. Incredibly, this is his first time ever to cash in a poker tournament
– and he’s now a millionaire. Rhett says proudly, “I’m playing in this
tournament for my family and friends.” Or, as Clark Gable would say, “Frankly
my dear – I DO give a damn.” Rhett Butler starts off seventh in the chip
count.
PRIZE MONEY:
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
6th
7th
8th
9th
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
6th
7th
8th
9th
$12,000,000
$6,102,499
$4,123,310
$3,628,513
$3,216,182
$2,803,851
$2,391,520
$1,979,189
$1,566,858
$6,102,499
$4,123,310
$3,628,513
$3,216,182
$2,803,851
$2,391,520
$1,979,189
$1,566,858
World Series of Poker Commissioner – Jeffrey Pollack
Director, Sponsorship and Licensing -- Ty Stewart
Director, Communications and Operations – Gary Thompson
Director, Broadcasting and New Media – Craig Abrahams
Vice President of Specialty Gaming -- Howard Greenbaum
WSOP Tournament Director – Robert Daily
WSOP Tournament Director/Director of Poker Operations for Harrah’s
Entertainment – Jack Effel
Director, Sponsorship and Licensing -- Ty Stewart
Director, Communications and Operations – Gary Thompson
Director, Broadcasting and New Media – Craig Abrahams
Vice President of Specialty Gaming -- Howard Greenbaum
WSOP Tournament Director – Robert Daily
WSOP Tournament Director/Director of Poker Operations for Harrah’s
Entertainment – Jack Effel
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