Gavin Smith Wins his first WSOP Gold Bracelet

LAS VEGAS – On June 26th, 2010, when the local clock ticked to midnight, the shiny glass slipper fit. It fit perfectly. And "Cinderella" was none other than a long-haired, half-shaven, partially-balding, pork-bellied, man-child named Gavin Smith.

Gavin Smith. His name is a permanent punch line. Mention Gavin Smith's name in a crowd of poker players and everyone instantly smiles. Despite never having won a World Series of Poker gold bracelet until this memorable night, he's been one of poker's most enchanting personalities for half a decade. His personality is part Jack Black, part Don Rickles, and part Ozzy Osborne -- all wrapped up in a 5-foot, 9-inch dynamo of a poker player with indisputable natural talent for cards and an unparalleled passion to win. In short, Gavin Smith was and is a living contradiction – a devoted professional when engaged in the game as well as a disorderly court jester when away from it.

Gavin Smith is a 41-year-old professional poker player from Las Vegas, NV. He is originally from Guelph, Ontario (Canada). Smith has earned a near-astronomical sum of $3 million dollars since turning pro about six years ago. But the one achievement that had eluded the fast-living, hard-drinking, Butterball-shaped poker superstar was the long-coveted WSOP victory.

This time, when the final hand was dealt out, someone else turned into the tournament pumpkin. Gavin Smith was the last player sitting and the newest poker champion standing. His dramatic win in the $2,500 buy-in Mixed Hold'em (Limit/No-Limit) championship paid $268,238, which might put a serious dent in the bar tab at the post-victory celebration. Indeed, what Gavin Smith was really playing for over the past three long days and nights was redemption from past failures and irrevocable affirmation in the shape of a circular sparkling sphere of laced gold. Indeed, in the poker world, boy Cinderella Gavin Smith doesn't wear glass slippers. He now wears the gold bracelet.

THE CHAMPION – GAVIN SMITH

The $2,500 buy-in Mixed Hold'em champion (Event #44) is Gavin Smith. He currently resides in Las Vegas. Smith is originally from Guelph, Ontario (Canada).

Smith is 41-years-old.

Smith is engaged. He and his fiancée are expecting their first child in November.

Smith is one of poker's most beloved personalities. He has established a well-deserved reputation as the player almost everyone loves to hang out with, which has taken its toll over the years – mostly on Smith himself.

Smith grew up in a town about an hour away from Toronto. Prior to playing poker for a living, Smith held a series of odd jobs, including working at a golf course where he mowed the grass. He also drove a taxi for a time.

Smith began playing poker in and around Toronto. He started to play tournament poker when casinos on the East Coast began holding major events. The early events Smith attended were mostly held in Foxwoods (Connecticut) and Atlantic City (New Jersey).

Smith's favorite drink is rum and diet coke.

Smith’s first tournament victory took place in 2000 at the World Poker Finals (Foxwoods), where he won a Seven-Card Stud event.

Smith was the 2003 B.A.R.G.E. champion. B.A.R.G.E. is a social group of poker players who hold an annual gathering in Las Vegas every August. B.A.R.G.E. has now produced a number of gold bracelet winners – including Chris Ferguson, Greg Raymer, Bill Chen, Jerrod Ankenman, and now Gavin Smith.

Smith had a breakout period in 2004 when he blistered through several televised poker events held at the Plaza Casino in Downtown Las Vegas. The Ultimate Poker Challenge filled an early void in the public's appetite for more poker programming, in the aftermath of Chris Moneymaker's 2003 WSOP Main Event victory. Smith took up temporary residency in Las Vegas and focused on the small high-profile events being held at the Plaza. Although Smith did not get rich from several cashes, his television appearances were so well received that he became one of the game's most popular players.

Smith's persona led to television appearances on High Stakes Poker and Late Night Poker. He also appeared on NBC’s "Face the Ace." Smith now has more than $4 million in career tournament earnings.

Smith posted mixed results in WSOP tournaments over the past seven years. His first cash took place in 2003. Smith, despite obvious talent and dedication, endured heartbreaking losses in several events – some of the beats self-inflicted. He finished second both in WSOP events and WSOP Circuit championship events.

Smith collected $268,238 for first place. He was presented with his first WSOP gold bracelet.

According to official records, Smith now has one win, three final table appearances, and 16 cashes at the WSOP. His career WSOP earnings now total $836,454. Combined with his WSOP Circuit earnings ($404,192), Smith now has $1,240,646 in WSOP-related cashes.

Smith’s victory was arguably the biggest crowd pleaser of any so far at this year's WSOP. As players were eliminated from the final table, the number of spectators swelled to the point where the entire ESPN Main Stage was filled to capacity. One veteran tournament reporter, B.J. Nemeth, stated that in all his years of covering poker tournaments he had never witnessed so many people – fans, players, media, and staff – coming up to offer heartfelt congratulations to the winner.

Smith was uncharacteristically emotional following his victory. His eyes were filled with tears and he was unable to speak for a few moments when given the opportunity to make a celebratory address to the standing-room only crowd.

When Smith took the microphone and was able to address the hundreds of spectators and well-wishers, it was quite poignant that the first thing Smith noted was the fine performance of the tournament runner up, Danny Hannawa. Guided perhaps by a long personal history and appreciation for the empathy of angst that accompanies a non-win, Smith offered kind words to the second-place finisher.