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2011 World Series of Poker
Event #1 - Casino Employees
No Limit Holdem
2011 World Series of Poker Event #1 Results
2011 World Series of Poker        
Final Results        
Event # 1
Buy In: $500        
Date: May 31 - June 2, 2011
Game: No Limit Hold'em
Number of Entries: 850
Net Prize Pool: $382,500
First Place Prize: $82,292
Total Spots Paid Out: 81
Sean Drake
Final Results:
Place
Name
Hometown
Prize
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
Sean Drake
Jason Baker
Claudio Falcaro
Christopher Perez
Daniel Quach
Richard Kozlowski
Adam Falk
Joseph Zeman
Edward Marcus
Stefan Martin
Robert Gullickson
Michael Barela
John Podobnik
Jordan Dhooghe
Florence Mclaurin
Romeo Samblero
Ahmad Alashkar
Anthony Nicholson
Christopher Ellis
Howard Dion
Joshua McBroom
Kenneth Stratton
Randall Bostick
Amy Baze
Frank Magliarditi
Nicolaas Lambrix
Todd Nagata
Robert Dillon
Mark Condon
David Low
Elpidio Dulay
Tammy Murray
William Omahoney
Michael Anderson
James Heisler
Oscar Portillo
Sam Beard
Michael Allen
Marlin Lavallie
Robert Omara
Ronald Saccavino
Thanh Ngo
Diana Zhao
Haviv Bahar
Christopher Ooley
John Laudon
Donald Michael
Charles Thompson
Billy Johnson
Enrique Carlos
John Pack
William Mccool
David Havill
Rodney Morrison
Scott Dietz
Michael Thomas
Kenneth Bruno
David Dalton
Michael Will
Raymond Flora
Daniel Huseman
Charles Chang
Aaron Lashlee
Renante Guiao
Christopher Marohn
Matthew Morris
Anthony Jhagroo
James Milkowski
Corey Silver
David Okimoto
Bradley Russell
Cassandra Mccarvlle
Alecio Schmit
Ryan Fox
Richard Baker
Dennis Bagay
Garrett Winslow
Angel Mourellefernandez
Manuel Escobedo
Michael Montague
Danny Swaney
Sacramento, CA
Assiniboia, Canada
Salzano, Italy
Las Vegas, NV
Las Vegas, NV
Las Vegas, NV
Las Vegas, NV
Seattle, WA
Blackhawk, CO
Mesa, AZ
Henderson, NV
Albuquerque, NM
St Cathrines, Canada
Parsons, KS
Liberty Lake, WA
Las Vegas, NV
El Cerrito, CA
Jones, OK
Las Vegas, NV
Pevely, MO
Las Vegas, NV
Coquitlam, Canada
Las Vegas, NV
Las Vegas, NV
Henderson, NV
Netherlands
Las Vegas, NV
Las Vegas, NV
Carlsbad, CA
Las Vegas, NV
Las Vegas, NV
Poway, CA
Las Vegas, NV
Gilbert, AZ
Monument, CO
Cathedral Cy, CA
Las Vegas, NV
Las Vegas, NV
Belcourt, ND
Mesa, AZ
Henderson, NV
Renton, WA
Los Angeles, CA
Las Vegas, NV
Brandon, FL
Billings, MT
Pico Rivera, CA
Santa Cruz, CA
Las Vegas, NV
Ukiah, CA
Henderson, TN
Greenville, MS
Orillia, Canada
Lynnwood, WA
Las Vegas, NV
Las Vegas, NV
Atlantis, FL
Henderson, NV
Milwaukee, WI
Las Vegas, NV
Alameda, CA
Las Vegas, NV
Fluker, LA
N Las Vegas, NV
San Jose, CA
Las Vegas, NV
Carlsbad, CA
Las Vegas, NV
Los Gatos, CA
San Ramon, CA
Las Vegas, CA
Chandler, AZ
Port St Lucie, FL
Lancaster, NY
Oakdale, MN
Henderson, NV
Las Vegas, NV
Arnelien, Norway
Marietta, OK
Yuma, AZ
Las Vegas, NV
$82,292
$50,807
$32,753
$23,994
$17,835
$13,437
$10,247
$7,906
$6,165
$4,865
$4,865
$4,865
$3,924
$3,924
$3,924
$3,155
$3,155
$3,155
$2,581
$2,581
$2,581
$2,581
$2,581
$2,581
$2,581
$2,581
$2,581
$2,122
$2,122
$2,122
$2,122
$2,122
$2,122
$2,122
$2,122
$2,122
$1,774
$1,774
$1,774
$1,774
$1,774
$1,774
$1,774
$1,774
$1,774
$1,487
$1,487
$1,487
$1,487
$1,487
$1,487
$1,487
$1,487
$1,487
$1,258
$1,258
$1,258
$1,258
$1,258
$1,258
$1,258
$1,258
$1,258
$1,074
$1,074
$1,074
$1,074
$1,074
$1,074
$1,074
$1,074
$1,074
$952
$952
$952
$952
$952
$952
$952
$952
$952
World Series of Poker (WSOP) Results
2011 World Series
of Poker
Official Results
Event #1 - Casino
Employees No Limit
Hold'em $500 Buy-in
May 31, 2011
Poker Stars
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2011 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Event #1 Winner Sean Drake
TOURNAMENT HEADLINES:

Sean R. Drake Wins Rio’s First WSOP Gold Bracelet of 2011

Part-Time Poker Dealer from California Wins Casino Employees Championship

2011 WSOP Begins in Grand Style – Thousands Pack Rio for Opening Weekend

Attendance in First Gold Bracelet Event Up 18 Percent Over Last Year

One Gold Bracelet Won – 57 More to Go!


OVERVIEW

The Rio’s first World Series of Poker tournament of the year has come to a thrilling
conclusion with the crowning of a new poker champion.

Sean R. Drake, from Folsom, CA won the Casino Employees Championship (Event #1).  He
won $82,292 in prize money.  Drake was also presented with his first-ever WSOP gold
bracelet, which is the ultimate prize in poker.

Drake, age 27, is a part-time poker dealer who works at the Folsom Lake Bowl.  Although
he still pitches cards across the felt regularly, Drake has also enjoyed a good run in recent
poker tournaments, particularly in a few of the major online events.  He's won more than
$150,000 playing online this year.

The victory sets Drake up well financially for the summer.  He planned to come to Las Vegas
and play in several events.  With an addition infusion of cash into his bankroll, Drake hopes
to catapult himself into an even more successful career as a full-time player.

The runner up was Jason Baker, a poker dealer and floorman from Assiniboia,
Saskatchewan (Canada).

The tournament was originally planned as a two-day affair.  However, the large turnout
mandated that a third day be added to the schedule.  Attendance was up significantly for
this tournament over last year when there were 721 entrants.  The 850 mark this year
represented an increase of about 18 percent.

This was classified as the first competition on the WSOP schedule, since it was the first gold
bracelet actually awarded at the Rio, which has hosted the world’s most prestigious
tournament series since 2005.  However, in reality -- the first WSOP gold bracelet of the
year was won three days earlier by Sam Barnhart, from Little Rock, AR.  He won the WSOP
Circuit National Championship, which was afforded WSOP gold bracelet status for the first
time.

Just prior to the start of the Rio’s first event, WSOP Tournament Director Jack Effel took the
main stage inside the Pavilion Tournament Room and began things in grand style.  Keeping
with ritual that has become an annual tradition, all casino employees in the room were
asked to join in with a rousing rendition of the customary announcement which begins all
WSOP events.

"Shuffle Up and Deal" boomed across the arena at 12:35 pm on Tuesday, when cards flew
into the air for the first time on the tournament floor.  Over the next seven weeks, the Rio
will be the epicenter of all things poker-related.  Poker players, media, and fans from all
over the world are expected to flood into Las Vegas for what promises to be the most
exciting and expansive WSOP in history.

The Casino Employee’s Championship has been the launching pad of most WSOP calendars
since it was first added as a gold bracelet event, back in 2000.  The tournament was initially
called the “Dealers World Poker Championship," since the tournament was only open to
casino dealers at the time.  The following year, all casino employees became eligible.  The
inaugural event attracted only 109 entries.  It doubled in size the next year due to the
expanded eligibility.

The Casino Employees Championship was initially added to the WSOP schedule to
recognize the considerable contributions of many dedicated professionals in the gaming
industry.  It has been an official gold bracelet event during all 12 years it’s been held.  From
2000 to 2003, the Casino Employees Championship was played as a Limit Hold’em
tournament.  Since 2004, the event has been a No-Limit Hold’em tournament.  The largest
turnout in history for this event took place at the 2006 WSOP when 1,232 players entered.

Sean Drake became only the 12th person in history to win a gold bracelet in this
tournament.


THE CHAMPION – SEAN R. DRAKE

The 2011 World Series of Poker “Casino Employees Champion” is Sean R. Drake, from
Folsom, CA.

Drake is a poker dealer.  He works part-time at the Folsom Lake Bowl, which houses a
bowling alley, bar, and five poker tables.  In California, some local communities allow
licensed poker games in small venues such as bars and restaurants.

Drake is 27-years-old.  He was born in San Luis Obispo, CA.

Drake attended and played football at Modesto Junior College.

Drake is single.

Drake previously worked at a car dealership.  He did very well financially as a car salesman.  
However, the economic downturn a few years ago resulted in a job loss.  He then started
playing poker more and gradually became a winning player.

Drake played a lot of online poker, up until recent developments.  He admits he enjoyed a
few winning streaks, but later “blew it all.”  He says he is wiser and more disciplined as a
player now.  

When Drake played poker online, his player name was BABYDRAKE.

Drake collected $82,292 for first place.  He was also awarded his first WSOP gold bracelet.

According to official records, Drake now has 1 win, 1 final table appearance, and 1 in-the-
money finish at the WSOP.

Drake currently has $82,292 in WSOP winnings.  

Drake is to be regarded as a semi-pro poker player since he both works and plays poker for
extra income.


WINNER QUOTES

On winning his first WSOP gold bracelet:  “I did not think it would mean anything at first.  
But now, it’s like ‘wow.’  I wanted that gold bracelet as soon as they put it on the final
table.  At that point, it was the only thing I was gunning for.  I told my friends, I’m going to
win this.  I want to be one of e guys who said he would win, and then do it.”

On working at Folsom Lake Bowl:  “It’s a great place.  We have five poker tables.  It’s the
best $1-3 game in Sacramento.”

On surviving the swings of playing poker, particularly at a final table where he took at least
one bad beat:  “I really used to be crazy, emotionally.  But (bad) things do not bother me
anymore.  Maybe you just have to get cold-hearted about it.  You have to have a ‘I don’t
give a (expletive deleted)’ attitude about the game.  A few years ago when I took a beat, it
would affect me.  But I do not let it bother me anymore.”

On his heads-up opponent, Jason Baker:  “He had me sweating the whole time.  He was
very good.  For someone who did not play a lot heads-up, he played very well.”

On his confidence level entering the final day:  “I expected to win at the final table.  But the
cards have to fall your way, too.”

On how things went in the tournament:  “I really did not run like God (in this tournament).  
It’s really about aggression.”

On people he wanted to thank:  “I want to thank my mom, dad, my sister, my grandma, Bill,
Alison, and all of my friends at Folsom Lake Bowl.”

On returning to work after winning nearly six-figures and a gold bracelet:  “I’m here to stay
in Las Vegas this summer.  If I go broke, they’ll let me go back.  But, that’s not the plan.”


THE FINAL TABLE

The final table contained no former WSOP gold bracelet winners.  

The final table was comprised of nine players, which included the following occupations:
Casino Dealer -- 5
Casino Host -- 1
Investor/Owner – 1
Bartender – 1
Waiter -- 1

Final table players were from three different nations, including Canada, Italy, and the
United States.  Five different states were represented at the final table – including
California, Colorado, Nevada, Washington, and Hawaii.

Final table participants ranged in age from 27 (youngest) to 58 (oldest).

The runner up was Jason Baker, from Assiniboia, Saskatchewan (Canada).  He is a 34-year-
old poker dealer and floorman.  Baker survived heart surgery back in 2001 and nearly won
a gold bracelet.  He had a 2-1 chip lead at one point when play was heads-up.  But Baker
lost a series of late hands and ended up finishing second.  He collected a $50,807
consolation prize.  

The third-place finisher was Claudio Falcaro, from Venice, Italy.  His became the highest
finisher in the history of this event for any Italian player.

The fourth-place finisher was Christopher Perez.  He is a 38-year-old server from Las
Vegas, NV.  He cashed in 21st place in this same event last year.

The fifth-place finisher was Daniel T. Quach.  He is a 30-year-old bartender from Honolulu,
HI.  

The sixth-place finisher was Rick Kuzlowski, from Las Vegas, NV.  He is a 41-year-old casino
host.

The seventh-place finisher was Adam Falk, from Las Vegas, NV.  He is a 27-year-old self-
employed poker dealer who works regularly traveling on the WSOP Circuit.  

The eighth-place finisher was Jay Zeman, from Seattle, WA.  He is a 58-year-old investor.  
He previously won a major tournament held at the Wild Horse Casino, in Oregon.  

The ninth-place finisher was Edward Marcus, from Blackhawk, CO.  He is a 46-year-old
casino dealer.  He has now played in just two WSOP events – both Casino Employee
Championships -- and has cashed both times.  


OTHER IN-THE-MONEY FINISHERS

No former WSOP gold bracelet winners cashed in this event.

Chuck Thompson, who made the final table of the 1995 WSOP Main Event (finishing 6th that
year) ended up as the 48th-place finisher.  Thompson enjoyed his first WSOP cash back in
1984.  He is a host at the Bay 101 Casino, in San Jose, CA.


ODDS AND ENDS

Attendance for this tournament increased over the previous year, when there were 721
entries.  The 850 player field in 2011 represents an 18 percent increase over 2010.

The tournament began in grand fashion with WSOP Tournament Director Jack Effel standing
tall and proud on the Pavilion Stage welcoming players to the first event on this year’s
schedule.  In his opening remarks, Effel said, “All of you are special to us.  Without casino
employees, there is no live poker.  Without casino employees, there is no Las Vegas.  
Without casino employees, there is no WSOP.”  The last comment evoked loud cheers from
the gallery of players and spectators.   

The tournament was originally schedule to be played over two consecutive days.  It was
extended by default into a third day due to the large field size.  

The Casino Employees Championship is not considered an “open” event, since entry is
restricted to workers in the gaming industry.  This is one of just three non-open events on
the 2010 WSOP schedule.  The other non-open events are the Ladies Championship and
the Seniors Championship.  All the other 55 tournaments are open events, since anyone
over the age of 21 is eligible to enter.

The official WSOP gold bracelet ceremony takes place on the day following the winner’s
victory (or some hours later when the tournament end very late).  The ceremony takes
place inside The Pavilion, which is the expansive main tournament room host all noon starts
this year.  The ceremony begins at the conclusion of the first break of the noon
tournament.  The ceremony usually starts around 2:20 pm.  The national anthem of the
winner’s nation is played.  The entire presentation is open to public and media.  Video and
photography is permitted by both public and members of the media.

Sean Drake’s gold bracelet ceremony is set to take place on Saturday, June 5th.  The U.S.
National Anthem will be played in honor of his victory.


EVENT HISTORY

The first Casino Employees Championship was held at the 2000 WSOP.  It was then called
the “Dealers World Poker Championship.”  At the time, the tournament was only open to
casino dealers.  The following year, all casino employees became eligible.  The inaugural
event attracted only 109 entries.  It doubled in size the next year due to the expanded
eligibility.  

The Casino Employees Championship was initially added to the WSOP schedule to
recognize the considerable contributions of many dedicated professionals in the gaming
industry.  It has been an official gold bracelet event during all 12 years it’s been held.

From 2000 to 2003, the Casino Employees Championship was played as a Limit Hold’em
tournament.  Since 2004, the event has been a No-Limit Hold’em tournament.

The largest turnout in history for this event took place at the 2006 WSOP when 1,232
players entered.

This event has traditionally been held either at the very start of the WSOP, or the very
end.  It has been the first event of the WSOP during the last three years.

The previous list of previous winners of the Casino Employees Championship includes:

Hoai Pham (2010)
Andrew Cohen (2009)
Jonathan Kotula (2008)
Eric Narciso (2007)
Chris Gros (2006)
Andy Nguyen (2005)
Carl “Coach” Nessel (2004)
David Lukaszweski (2003)
David Warga (2002)
Travis Jonas (2001)
Dave Alizadeh (2000)

No event champion has ever repeated, or gone on to win any other WSOP gold bracelet.


TOURNAMENT PLAY

The $500 buy-in Casino Employees Championship was a No-Limit Hold’em competition.  The
tournament attracted 850 entries.  The total prize pool amounted to $382,500.  The top 81
finishers collected prize money – which is nine more players than were paid last year.

At one point when play was ten-handed. Jason Baker enjoyed nearly a 3 to 1 chip lead over
his closest rival.  He had the eventual winner Sean Drake covered by more than a 5 to 1
margin.  Baker ended up finishing second.

Day Three included only the last four players.  Drake was the chip leader when play became
four-handed.

The final table officially lasted about 8.75 hours, but was spread across two days.

The tournament officially began on Wednesday, June 2nd, at 10:30 pm.  The tournament
officially ended the following day (after 12 hour break) on June 3rd, at 7:15 pm.


2011 WSOP STATISTICS

Through the conclusion of Event #1, the 2011 WSOP has attracted 950 entries.  $1,382,500
in prize money has been awarded to winners, so far (Note the $1 million freeroll – WSOP
Circuit National Championship -- was the first gold bracelet event of the year).

This year, there are 59 gold bracelet events being held in Las Vegas.  This is an increase of
two events over last year’s number --57.

The average age of players in this event was 39.54 years.  The average age of those who
cashed was 39.58 years.  The average age of final table players was 48.44 years.

There were 94 females who entered the first event.  This figure represents 11.06 percent of
the field.

Through the conclusion of this tournament, the nationalities of gold bracelet winners has
been:
United States (2)

Through the conclusion of this tournament, the national origin (birthplace) of winners has
been:
United States (2)

Through the conclusion of this event, the states of winners has been:
Arkansas (1)
California (1)

Through the conclusion of this tournament, the breakdown of professional poker players to
semi-pros and amateurs who won gold bracelets is as follows:
Professional Players (0):

Semi-Pros (1):  Sean R. Drake        

Amateurs (1):  Sam Barnhart


Note:  Various categories and statistics will be updated with each gold bracelet event as
they are completed.