MEET THE 2012 WSOP
2012 World Series of Poker Presented by Jack Link’s Beef Jerky
Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino
Las Vegas, Nevada

Official Report
Event #61
End of Day Seven
World Poker Championship
No-Limit Hold’em
Buy-In:  $10,000
Number of Entries:  6,598
Number of Players Remaining:  9
Total Net Prize Pool:  $62,021,200
Number of Places Paid:  666
First Place Prize:  $8,527,982 (with added interest pending)
July 9th through October 30th, 2012



MAIN EVENT HEADLINES – END OF DAY SEVEN (“OCTOBER NINE DAY”)

Note:  The accompanying photo shows the official 2012 World Series of Poker’s “October Nine.”  The players shown are (left to right):  Russell Thomas, Jacob Balsiger, Jeremy Ausmus, Steven Gee, Greg Merson, Jesse Sylvia, Robert Salaburu, Andras Koroknai, and Michael Esposito

 
Meet the 2012 October Nine!

Annual World Poker Championship Includes – Russell Thomas, Jacob Balsiger, Jeremy Ausmus, Steven Gee, Greg Merson, Jesse Sylvia, Robert Salaburu, Andras Koroknai, and Michael Esposito

Final Table Includes Eight Americans and One Hungarian

Jesse Sylvia Enters the World’s Biggest Poker Game with the Chip Lead
 
Las Vegas Poker Pro Holds Biggest Stack, with Hungary’s Andras Koroknai in Second Place

Greg Merson Passes Phil Ivey in 2012 WSOP Player of the Year Race

Last Day of WSOP Summer – Main Event Championship Final Table Coming Next, October 29-30th 


OVERVIEW
 
Las Vegas, NV (July 17, 2012 – 2:15 am PST) – What started as the fifth-largest live poker tournament in history is now down to the final nine players at the 2012 World Series of Poker.  Nearly two weeks and more than half a million hands after the $10,000 buy-in Main Event Championship initially began, the famed “October Nine” finalists have been determined.

The day’s decisive moment came when Andras Koroknai (Hungary) eliminated Gaelle Baumann (France) who ended up as the tenth-place finisher.  The final hand was dealt at 1:10 am, eliciting frustration for Baumann’s many supporters, while igniting an outburst of screams and cheers from hundreds of spectators swarming the ESPN broadcast stage, including the family and friends of those who about to step into the brightest spotlight of their lives.

In recent years, WSOP Main Event final tables have come to reflect and international collection of players with mixed backgrounds.  However, this year’s Championship was dominated by Americans – who occupy eight of the nine seats in the finale.  Andras Karoknai from Hungary stands as the lone international challenger.

However, perhaps the biggest story of the day was the stunning way the summer series ended with two female players taking 10th and 11th places, respectively.  For most of the day it appeared that at least one female would match Poker Hall of Famer Barbara Enright’s 1995 feat, as the only female in history to make it to a Main Event final table.  However, when Elisabeth Hille and Gaelle had their hopes crushed with bubblefinal table bustouts, the aspirations of a woman in the Championship came to a disappointing end.

That said, this year’s list of finalists includes several interesting personalities and compelling stories.

This year’s November Nine finalists are as follows:

Seat 1:  Russell Thomas – Hartford, CT (24,800,000 in chips)
Seat 2:  Jacob Balsiger – Tempe, AZ (13,115,000 in chips)
Seat 3:  Jeremy Ausmus – Las Vegas, NV (9,805,000 in chips)
Seat 4:  Steven Gee – Sacramento, CA (16,860,000 in chips)
Seat 5:  Greg Merson – Laurel, MD (28,725,000 in chips)
Seat 6:  Jesse Sylvia – West Tisbury, MA (43,875,000 in chips)
Seat 7:  Robert Salaburu – San Antonio, TX (15,155,000 in chips)
Seat 8:  Andras Koroknai – Debrecen, Hungary (29,375,000 in chips)
Seat 9:  Michael Esposito – Seaford, NY (16,260,000 in chips)

Next, the tournament takes a 102-day recess.  In the meantime, each of the nine finalists will return to their homes and families.  Undoubtedly, each is likely to become a local celebrity.  Players will have more than three months to enjoy and savor a rare experience which can best be described as every poker player's dream come true.  The final table will be played October 29-30, 2012 at the Rio in Las Vegas.  Note that this year’s championship finale was moved up one week ahead of the usual November Nine session, due to this year’s U.S. presidential election.

Each of the players who made it this far are now guaranteed $754,798 in prize money.  In fact, seven of the top nine finishers will become millionaires.  But none of the October Nine players will be content with a ninth-place finish at this point.

Indeed, this WSOP Main Event winner achieves instant fame, fortune and immortality.  He will collect a whopping $8,527,982 in prize money.  The winner will also be presented with the game's most coveted prize -- the custom-designed WSOP gold and diamond bracelet from Jason of Beverly Hills.  He will also be universally acknowledged as the reigning world poker champion.

A complete list of PAYOUTS can be seen here.  

The Main Event, also known as poker’s world championship began back on July 9th.  There were 92 different nations represented in the huge field.  It took seven playing days – and some 68 hours – to carve the starters down to nine survivors.  

Regardless of what happens in October and whoever is crowned the 2012 world poker champion, one thing is for certain.  The last week of October promises to be a thrilling conclusion to what has been a memorable 2012 WSOP.

LIVE UPDATES as well as CHIP COUNTS for all remaining players can be seen at WSOP.com. 
 

THE 2012 OCTOBER NINE!

When the final playing session comes in October, the nine finalists will take seats in the biggest game of their lives.  At stake is the 2012 World Poker Championship.  Here’s a brief look at some basic facts:

The chip leader entering the finale is Jesse Sylvia, from San Antonio, Texas.  He will resume play with 43,875,000 in chips – about 14,000,000 more than the second-place challenger.  Chip leaders are 1 for 3 (wins) the last three years – with first, second, and second-place finishes.  Here’s a comparison with the previous chip leaders entering the finale since the Main Event incorporated a 30,000-starting stack concept:

2009 – Darvin Moon (58,930,000 in chips)
2010 – Jonathan Duhamel (65,975,000 in chips)
2011 – Martin Staszko (40,175,000 in chips)

The remaining players are ages – 21, 24, 24, 26, 27, 30, 32, 43, and 56.  The average age of players remaining is 31.4 years.

The oldest player still remaining is Steven Gee – at 56-years-old.

The youngest player still remaining is Jake Balsiger – at 21-years-old..

Note:  A more thorough profile of each player will be posted to WSOP.COM in the next few days.  An interview with each player will also be available for all media.


TOURNAMENT PLAY
 
Play on Day Seven started at 1 pm.  Play ended about 1:10 am.  The day included a 90-minute dinner break.

Most days have included ten-playing levels.  Each level is two-hours long.  With dinner and multiple breaks, the average playing day has been about 13 hours.

The Main Event includes ten separate playing days/sessions.  The breakdown is as follows:

Day One began with three flights of 6,598 total (combined) players.

Day Two began with two flights of 4,344 total (combined) players.

Day Three began with 1,685 players.

Day Four began with 720 players.

Day Five began with 282 players.

Day Six began with 97 players.

Day Seven began with 27 players.

Day Eight will begin with 9 players (October 29)

Day Nine will begin with 3 players (October 30).


BIGGEST LIVE POKER TOURNAMENTS OF ALL-TIME

The 2012 WSOP Main Event Championship is the fifth-largest live poker tournament in history.  Here are the seven largest live poker tournaments in history:
 
1.  2006 WSOP Main Event – 8,773 players
2.  2010 WSOP Main Event – 7,319 players
3.  2011 WSOP Main Event – 6,865 players
4.  2008 WSOP Main Event – 6,844 players
5.  2012 WSOP Main Event – 6,598 players* (new)
6.  2009 WSOP Main Event – 6,494 players
7.  2007 WSOP Main Event – 6,358 players


COMING NEXT:  THE OCTOBER NINE

This is the fifth year of the November Nine concept – which is revised to being called “October Nine” because of the special circumstances of the 2012 calendar (U.S. presidential election dates conflict).  Prior to 2008, all Main Event final tables were played as a continuum tied to the bulk of the Main Event.  However, starting in 2008, WSOP officials decided to delay the play of the final table and postpone the conclusion until November.  For this reason, the Main Event finalists are (usually) known as the November Nine.

While the decision to delay the conclusion of the Main Event was initially controversial, most players and fans have come to accept and support the change.  This year, the delay will be particularly helpful to players, since the vast majority reside outside of the host city of Las Vegas.  The 102-day hiatus allows players to gather and bring their supporters to Las Vegas in October for what promises to be one of the most exciting days of their lives.

The final table will be played October 29-30.  The finale includes two sessions.  The first session begins October 29th and will play from the nine initial starters down to three players.  Then, the three finalists play to the championship the following day.  Starting times will be announced later.  All the action will take place inside the Penn and Teller Theatre at the Rio in Las Vegas.

The WSOP Main Event Championship final table has been played at multiple locations, including:
1970-1986 – Binion’s Horseshoe (original side)
1987-1996 – Binion’s Horseshoe (new side – formally The Mint)
1997 – Fremont Street (under giant canopy)
1998 -- Binion’s Horseshoe (new side – formally The Mint)
1999-2005 – Binion’s Horseshoe (Benny’s Bullpen – second floor)
2006-2007 – Rio Las Vegas (Amazon Room)
2008-present – Rio Las Vegas (Penn and Teller Theatre)


FORMER WORLD CHAMPIONS IN THE MAIN EVENT

There are 36 different players who have won the WSOP Main Event Championship.  Of this number, 27 past Champions are still living.  Of this number, 20 played in the Main Event.  Only two cashed:
 
1975/1976:  Doyle Brunson
1983:  Tom McEvoy
1986:  Berry Johnston
1987/1988:  Johnny Chan – cashed in 353rd
1989:  Phil Hellmuth
1993:  Jim Bechtel
1995:  Dan Harrington
1996:  Huck Seed – cashed in 527th
1998:  Scotty Nguyen
2001:  Carlos Mortensen
2002:  Robert Varkonyi
2003:  Chris Moneymaker
2004:  Greg “Fossilman” Raymer
2005:  Joe Hachem
2006:  Jamie Gold
2007:  Jerry Yang
2008:  Peter Eastgate
2009:  Joe Cada
2010:  Jonathan Duhamel
2011:  Pius Heinz
 

CELEBRITIES AND NOTABLE PLAYERS

The World Series of Poker has attracted celebrities and notable personalities since its inception.  This year is no exception:

Poker Hall of Fame Inductees:

Doyle Brunson
Lyle Berman
Berry Johnston
T.J. Cloutier
Mike Sexton
Johnny Chan – cashed in 353rd place
Dewey Tomko
Erik Seidel
Dan Harrington
Barry Greenstein

WSOP Player(s) of the Year:

2004:  Daniel Negreanu – cashed in 160th place
2005:  Allen Cunningham
2006:  Jeff Madsen
2007:  Tom Schneider
2008:  Erick Lindgren
2009:  Jeffrey Lisandro
2010:  Frank Kassela
2011:  Ben Lamb

Non-Poker Celebrities:

Ray Romano (actor and comedian)
Rene Angelil (music manager – Celine Dion’s husband)
Shane Warne (sportsman/cricketer)
Jason Alexander (actor and comedian)
Kevin Pollak (actor) – cashed in 134th place
Jennifer Tilly (actress and former gold bracelet winner)
Teddy Sherringham (former professional soccer star)
Gabe Kaplan (actor and comedian)
Roberto Luongo (NHL goaltender for Vancouver Canucks) – cashed in 634th place
George St. Pierre (UFC/MMA Champion)

Special Consideration:
Antonio Esfandiari (“Big One for One Drop” Champion) – 501st place


STATISTICAL ODDS AND ENDS

This tournament attracted 6,598 entries.

Female players totaled 211 players -- representing 3.2 percent of the field.  This is about the same percentage of females that played last year.

The average age of all participants was 37.73 years.  This is about 6 months older (average) than last year’s 37.17 average age.

Specific age with most players – 26 (there are 338 players aged 26 who entered this year’s Main Event)

Cities with largest WSOP player participation:
Las Vegas/Henderson, NV – 406 players
New York/Brooklyn, NY – 141 players
London, UK – 81 players
Los Angeles, CA – 75 players
Houston, TX – 58 players
Chicago, IL – 52 players
Moscow, Russia – 46 players
San Diego, CA – 39 players

Most Entrants by State/Province:
California – 819 entrants
Nevada – 436 entrants
New York – 416 entrants
Florida – 341 entrants
Texas – 333 entrants
Illinois – 224 entrants
New Jersey – 181 entrants
Ontario – 166 entrants
Massachusetts – 162 entrants
Ohio – 126 entrants

Every WSOP held over the past 12 years has included at least one multiple gold bracelet champion (meaning two or more wins within the same year).  The last year the WSOP was comprised exclusively of single-event winners was back in 1999.  The record for most multiple gold bracelet winners within a single year was in 2009, when five players managed to win two or more titles.  However, presently – no player has won two gold bracelets in 2012.  It should be noted that October Nine member Greg Merson still has a shot at winning a second bracelet.

Reigning World Champions rarely perform well the following year after their victory.  Chris Ferguson was the last World Champion to win a gold bracelet the year after winning, which happened in 2001.  Perhaps it’s due to the increasing size of the fields.  But there’s also great pressure on the Champions to do well – along with many distractions.  What follows is a list of the seven world champions to win a gold bracelet after winning their championships during the previous year:

Johnny Moss (1975)
Doyle Brunson (1977)
Bobby Baldwin (1979)
Stu Ungar (1981)
Johnny Chan (1988)
Hamid Dastmalchi (1993)
Chris Ferguson (2001)


MORE WSOP – BY COUNTRY STATS

(Nation / 2012 Number of Entrants / 2011 Number of Entrants)

United States – 4,579 / 4,606
Canada – 455 / 481
United Kingdom – 300 / 278
France – 168 / 213
Germany – 115 / 158
Russia – 97 / 111
Australia – 88 / 94
Italy – 86 / 108
Brazil – 76 / 82
Denmark – 49 / 46
Sweden – 46 / 77
Netherlands – 39 / 54
Spain – 34 / 42
Ireland – 34 / 35
Argentina – 32 / 22
Scotland – 36 / 36
Switzerland – 28 / 26
Wales – 2 / 4
Norway – 25 / 34
Japan – 21 / 25
Mexico – 19 / 12
Hungary – 17 / 24
Israel – 18 / 18
South Africa – 15 / 18
Belgium – 15 / 26
Austria – 14 / 24
Columbia – 13 / 9
China – 12 / 8
Ukraine – 11 / 4
Finland – 11 / 22
Bulgaria – 11 / 4
Lebanon – 10 / 4
Czech Republic – 9 / 11
Hong Kong – 8 / 10
Portugal – 8 / 19
Venezuela – 10 / 20
Lithuania – 7 / 8
Turkey – 7 / 4
Chile – 6 / 7
Malta – 6 / 7
Latvia – 6 / 3
Greece – 5 / 5
Slovakia – 4 / 6
Poland – 4 / 1
Peru – 4 / 3
Bermuda – 3 / 0
Trinidad – 3 / 2
Uruguay – 3 / 3
Cyprus – 3 / 4
Costa Rica – 3 / 3
Bolivia – 3 / 2
Belize – 3 /2
Philippines – 3 / 3
South Korea – 3 / 6
Serbia – 3 / 0
India – 3 / 2
New Zealand – 3 / 5
Estonia – 3 / 4
Turks and Caicos – 2 / 2
Romania – 2 / 4
Belarus – 2 / 0
Malaysia – 3 / 1
Paraguay – 1 / 0
Azerbaijan – 1 / 2
Bahrain – 1 / 1
Singapore – 1 / 4
Marshall Islands – 1 / 1
Tanzania – 1 / 0
Kazakhstan – 1 / 2
French Polynesia – 1 / 1
Cayman Islands – 1 / 0
Slovenia – 1 / 0
Isle of Man – 1 / 0
Iceland – 1 / 2
Croatia – 1 / 1
Guatemala – 1 / 3
Dominican Republic – 1 / 0
Ecuador – 1 / 0
Macedonia – 1 / 2
Bahamas – 1 /1
Monaco – 1 / 3
Uruguay – 1 / 3
American Samoa – 0 / 1
Andorra – 0 / 2
Indonesia – 0 / 1
Mongolia – 0 / 1
Montserrat – 0 / 1
Oman – 0 / 1
Saint Lucia – 0 / 6
Saudi Arabia – 0 / 1
Senegal – 0 / 1
Taiwan – 0 / 2
Unknown – 3 / 0


WSOP -- FOR THE AGES

The youngest player to enter the 2011 WSOP Main Event Championship was Cody Teska – at 21 years and seven days.  The all-time “youngest player” record was set last year by Logan Deen, from Cocoa, FL.  He turned 21 on the day he took his seat in the 2011 Main Event, which means he holds a record that can be tied, but never broken (unless age restriction laws are changed in the future).

The oldest player to enter the 2012 WSOP Main Event Championship was Ellen “Gram” Deeb, from Troy, NY at age 92.  This is her second straight year to play in the championship.  Last year, she became the oldest female participant in Main Event history.  Unfortunately, Mrs. Deeb was eliminated during Day One. The WSOP looks forward to welcoming her again in 2012 (Note:  The oldest player in WSOP was Jack Ury, who in 2010 played at age 97).


WOMEN IN THE MAIN EVENT

Special Note:  The WSOP recognizes that player characteristics such as gender, race, etc., do not typically warrant special mention.  However, since many members of the media and public wish to know details about female participation and status, the staff is providing this information for media use.

The field included a total of 211 female players.  This figure represents 3.2 percent of the field.

The highest-finishing female in this year’s Main Event was Gaelle Baumann, from France.  She was eliminated during Day Seven finishing in tenth place – which paid $590,442 in prize money.  That’s the most ever for a female in the Main Event (Note:  The 11th-place finisher Elisabeth Hille, from Norway also received the same payout).

Here are the highest-female finishers (by year) in the WSOP Main Event (Note:  Only players who finished in-the-money were recorded):

No female cashed in the Main Event between the years 1970-1985.
1986 – Wendeen Eolis (25th)
1987 – None
1988 – None
1989 – None
1990 – None
1991 – None
1992 – None
1993 – Marsha Waggoner (19th)
1994 – Barbara Samuelson (10th)
1995 – Barbara Enright (5th)
1996 – Lucy Rokach (26th)
1997 – Marsha Waggoner (12th)
1998 – Susie Isaacs (10th)
1999 – None
2000 – Annie Duke (10th)
2001 – None
2002 – None
2003 – Annie Duke (47th)
2004 – Rose Richie (98th)
2005 – Tiffany Williamson (15th)
2006 – Sabyl Cohen-Landrum (56th)
2007 – Maria Ho (38th)
2008 – Tiffany Michelle (17th)
2009 – Leo Margets, a.k.a. Leonor Margets (27th)
2010 – Breeze Zuckerman (121st)
2011 – Erika Moutinho (29th)
2012 – Gaelle Baumann (10th)


MORE ODDS AND ENDS

This is the 61st and final event on the 2012 WSOP schedule which is played in Las Vegas.  Seven more gold bracelet events will take place in Cannes, France, to be held in September as part of the 6th Annual World Series of Poker Europe.    

This marks the eighth consecutive year the WSOP has been held at the Rio All-Suites Hotel and Casino.  Prior to 2005, the WSOP was held at Binion’s Horseshoe in downtown Las Vegas.  As a testament to the expansion of the WSOP since Caesars Entertainment assumed ownership and control of the world most prestigious poker event, nearly three times the prize money has been awarded to winners within the Rio during the past seven years than during the entire proceeding 35-year period at the Horseshoe.

The total number of entries for all gold bracelet events held in 2012 was 74,766.

The total number of entrants in the WSOP Main Event (all 42 years combined) is 65,255.

Over the past six years, the average attendance for the WSOP Main Event has been 6,776 entrants.  Hence, this year’s figure (6,598 entrants) was slightly behind the post-UIGEA average.  

This is the 1,022nd gold bracelet to be awarded in WSOP history.  It is also the 1,0161h WSOP event in history.  This figure includes every official WSOP event ever played, including tournaments during the early years when there were no actual gold bracelets awarded.  It also includes the 16 gold bracelets awarded to date at WSOP Europe (2007-2010).  Moreover, two gold bracelets were awarded during each of the last two years for the WSOP National Championship.  This was officially classified as WSOP schedule Event #61, since it’s the sixty-first gold bracelet of 61 to be awarded this summer in Las Vegas.  


WSOP MAIN EVENT ALL-TIME RECORDS

Most Main Event Wins (Career):
3 – Johnny Moss (first win was by a vote)
3 – Stu Ungar
2 – Doyle Brunson
2 – Johnny Chan

Most Main Event Cashes (Career):
10 – Berry Johnston
8 – Humberto Brenes
7 – Bobby Baldwin
7 – Doyle Brunson
7 – Jay Heimowitz
7 – Phil Hellmuth
7 – Mike Sexton
7 – Chris Bjorin
7 – John Esposito
6 – John Bonetti
6 – Johnny Moss
6 – Jason Lester
6 – Steve Lott
6 – Johnny Chan
5 – 17 players tied with 5 cashes each

Most Main Event Final Tables (Career):
5 – Doyle Brunson
5 – Jesse Alto
4 – Johnny Chan
4 – T.J. Cloutier
4 – Dan Harrington
4 – Berry Johnston
4 – Johnny Moss
4 – Stu Ungar
3 – 6 players tied with 3 final tables each


Most Consecutive Cashes in Main Event:
4 -- Chris Bjorin (2008 – 2011)
4 -- Diogo Borges (2008 – 2011)
4 – Theodore Park (2005 – 2008)
4 – Bo Sehlstedt (2004 – 2007)
4 – Robert Turner (1991 – 1994)


Youngest Winner:
Joe Cada (2009) -- 21 years, 11 months, 22 days

Oldest Winner:
Johnny Moss (1974) – 66 years, 11 months, 24 days

Most Consecutive Years Played at WSOP (entered at least one gold bracelet event):
39 – Howard “Tahoe” Andrew (1974 to present)

Most Consecutive Main Events Played (Career):
30 – Tom McEvoy (1983 to present)

Most Total Main Events Played (Career):
40 – Doyle Brunson (did not play years 1999 through 2001)


2012 WSOP STATISTICS

Through the conclusion of Event #60 (Main Event pending), the nationality of gold bracelet winners has been:
United States (45): Chip Saechao, Brent Hanks, Leif Force, Cory Zeidman, Andy Bloch, Herbert Tapscott, John Monnette, Brian Hastings, David “Doc” Arsht, Brandon Schaefer, Adam Friedman, Matt Matros, Andy Frankenberger, Phil Hellmuth, Cliff Goldkind, Ben Scholl, Randy Ohel, Joe Cassidy, Brian Meinders, Gabe Scott, Ylon Schwartz, Larry Wright, Allyn Jaffrey-Shulman, Carter Phillips, David “Bakes” Baker, Max Steinberg, Chris Tryba, David “ODB” Baker, Ronnie Bardah, Dung “Gomer” Nguyen, Greg Ostrander, Henry Lu, Joey Weissman, Michael “the Grinder” Mizrachi, Steven Loube, Kenny Hsiung, Greg Hobson, Pete Vilandos, Yen Dang, Vanessa Selbst, Jim Willerson, Will Jaffe, Antonio Esfandiari, Greg Merson, Nick Schulman
Canada (3): Ashkan Razavi, Simon Charette, Timothy Adams
France (1): Aubin Cazals
Bulgaria (1): Nick Jivkov
The Netherlands (1): Vincent van der Fluit
Belgium (1): Michael Gathy
Japan (1): Naoya Kihara
Great Britain (1): Craig McCorkell
Germany (1): Jan-Peter Jachtmann
Ukraine (1): Okelsii Kovalchuk
Italy (1):  Rocco Palumbo
Czech Republic (1):  Tomas Junek
Russia (1):  Viacheslav Zhukov

The national origin (birthplace) of winners has been:
United States (45): Brent Hanks, Leif Force, Cory Zeidman, Andy Bloch, Herbert Tapscott, John Monnette, Brian Hastings, David “Doc” Arsht, Brandon Schaefer, Adam Friedman, Matt Matros, Andy Frankenberger, Phil Hellmuth, Cliff Goldkind, Ben Scholl, Randy Ohel, Joe Cassidy, Brian Meinders, Gabe Scott, Ylon Schwartz, Larry Wright, Allyn Jaffrey-Shulman, Carter Phillips, David “Bakes” Baker, Max Steinberg, Chris Tryba, David “ODB” Baker, Ronnie Bardah, Dung “Gomer” Nguyen, Greg Ostrander, Henry Lu, Joey Weissman, Michael “the Grinder” Mizrachi, Steven Loube, Kenny Hsiung, Greg Hobson, Vanessa Selbst, Jim Willerson, Will Jaffe, Antonio Esfandiari, Greg Merson, Nick Schulman
Canada (2): Simon Charette, Timothy Adams
Vietnam (2): Dung “Gomer” Nguyen, Yen Dang
Thailand (1): Chip Saechao
Bulgaria (1): Nick Jivkov
France (1): Aubin Cazals
Iran (1): Ashkan Razavi
The Netherlands (1): Vincent van der Fluit
Belgium (1): Michael Gathy
Japan (1): Naoya Kihara
Great Britain (1): Craig McCorkell
Germany (1): Jan-Peter Jachtmann
Ukraine (1): Okelsii Kovalchuk
Italy (1):  Rocco Palumbo
Greece (1):  Pete Vilandos
Czech Republic (1):  Tomas Junek
Russia (1):  Viacheslav Zhukov

The home state of the 45 American winners has been:
Nevada (9): Brent Hanks, Andy Bloch, Randy Ohel, Joe Cassidy, Allyn Jaffrey-Shulman, Carter Phillips, David “Bakes” Baker, Chris Tryba, Antonio Esfandiari
New York (8): Matt Matros, Andy Frankenberger, Greg Ostrander, Henry Lu, Joey Weissman, Vanessa Selbst, Will Jaffe, Nick Schulman
Texas (5): Ylon Schwartz, Larry Wright, David “ODB” Baker, Pete Vilandos, Jim Willerson
California (4): Chip Saechao, John Monnette, Phil Hellmuth, Max Steinberg
Pennsylvania (3): Brian Hastings, David “Doc” Arsht, Ben Scholl
Florida (3): Leif Force, Cory Zeidman, Michael “the Grinder” Mizrachi
Ohio (2): Adam Friedman, Kenny Hsiung
Maryland (2): Cliff Goldkind, Greg Merson
Alabama (1): Herbert Tapscott
Washington (1): Brandon Schaefer
New Jersey (1): Brian Meinders
Oklahoma (1): Gabe Scott
Kansas (1): Dung “Gomer” Nguyen
Massachusetts (1): Ronnie Bardah
Georgia (1):  Steven Loube
Alaska (1):  Greg Hobson
Colorado (1):  Yen Dang

The breakdown of professional poker players to semi-pros and amateurs who won gold bracelets is as follows:
Professional Players (45): Brent Hanks, Leif Force, Andy Bloch, Aubin Cazals, John Monnette, Ashkan Razavi, Vincent van der Fluit, Brian Hastings, Brandon Schaefer, Adam Friedman, Matt Matros, Andy Frankenberger, Phil Hellmuth, Randy Ohel, Michael Gathy, Simon Charette, Joe Cassidy, Gabe Scott, Ylon Schwartz, Timothy Adams, Larry Wright, Carter Phillips, David “Bakes” Baker, Max Steinberg, Naoya Kihara, Chris Tryba, Craig McCorkell, David “ODB” Baker, Ronnie Bardah, Greg Ostrander, Okelsii Kovalchuk, Henry Lu, Rocco Palumbo, Joey Weissman, Michael “the Grinder” Mizrachi, Kenny Hsiung, Greg Hobson, Yen Dang, Vanessa Selbst, Will Jaffe, Antonio Esfandiari, Tomas Junek, Greg Merson, Viacheslav Zhukov, Nick Schulman
Semi-Pros (6): Cory Zeidman, Nick Jivkov, Brian Meinders, Allyn Jaffrey-Shulman, Jan-Peter Jachtman, Pete Vilandos
Amateurs (8): Chip Saechao, Herbert Tapscott, David “Doc” Arsht, Cliff Goldkind, Ben Scholl, Dung “Gomer” Nguyen, Steven Loube, Jim Willerson

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


-- by Nolan Dalla


Note:  All results are now official and may be reprinted by media.  If you are posting these results on a website, we would appreciate providing a link back to: WSOP.com.  Thank you.

__________________________________

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