Joe BartholdiJoe Bartholdi, Jr., understood the art of gambling at an early age. Having acquired the nickname “Gambles” when he was very young, he began taking risks by selling cigarettes to his classmates long before he reached the legal smoking age. Because he was expelled from school for his involvement in several fights, he obtained his GED. He chose this option because the next closest school was several miles away, and this option proved to be an easier one to obtain. When he was 18, Joe Bartholdi moved to Las Vegas, along with his father who worked as a poker dealer in the area. He began his poker career before he was 21, and then, concentrated his efforts on stud poker. He later moved on to Texas Hold‘em and was quick to gain both confidence and skill. By the legal age of 21, Bartholdi had perfected his game enough to turn professional, and that is exactly what he did. Though he was able to turn over quite a profit, much of it was lost due to poor bankroll management, along with his love for the game of blackjack. Because of this, he wound up taking a job as a poker dealer in order to supplement his income. Even so, this did nothing to lessen Bartholdi’s interest or skill in the game. In 2002, he met Russ “Dutch” Boyt at the World Series of Poker held that year. Boyt then invited Bartholdi to become a member of the poker-playing group called “The Crew.” He later left this group after losing $4,000, while tilting in online poker, saying that he felt he had let the others down. Even so, Bartholdi maintains that they all remain friends with one another. In 2004, Joe Bartholdi was able to build a new bankroll from a $50 bonus that quickly grew to a sum of $250,000. Unfortunately, however, he lost it once again due to his ongoing issues with money management. At the World Series of Poker held in 2005, “Sheriff” Joe Cassidy staked Bartholdi in a number of poker tournaments, including the $1,500 no limit hold’em event. Here, Joe Bartholdi finished fifth, earning a total of $71,445.00, his largest tournament winnings to date. There, he also won an event in the second season of the Ultimate Poker Challenge. Cassidy and Bartholdi swapped 50% with one another for the World Poker Tour season 4 $25,000.00 no limit hold ‘em championship event. Bartholdi won the event, outlasting six other players and claiming the first prize of $3,760,165. He was also able to make the final table of the World Poker Tournament Battle of Champions IV event soon after his big win. It was definitely his biggest win to date. As of this year, his overall poker tournament winnings exceed $4,000,000, a major feat for such a young player. After his big win of 2005, he became known for having defeated the brightest poker talent from nearly 40 different countries. The press immediately jumped at the chance to cover the tournament and, of course, Bartholdi’s big win. Bartholdi’s age, talent, and skill, as well as his big win, have made him one of the most talked about poker players in the industry. One thing that made this win so important was the record-breaking, highest ever World Poker Tour prize pool of more than $15,000,000.00. Also, for the first time in World Poker Tour history, more than a million dollars was awarded to a player who had qualified through a $25 satellite tournament. Bartholdi’s notable win not only pocketed him $3.76 million, but also gave him the title of the World Poker Tournament champion. It also guarantees him a seat in the upcoming 2007 World Poker Tournament championship at the Bellagio. This was certainly no small feat. Over the past several years, this 26-year-old poker phenomenon has proven that he really knows the game. He has succeeded at rising to the occasion numerous times and has finely crafted his skill. Even before he began playing professionally, he was carefully studying the game, learning what he needed to know to beat the odds. It is believed by many in the industry that Bartholdi will continue to hone his skills, and will only get better over time. While poker is certainly a game of chance, there is much skill involved in playing the game and in playing it right. Bartholdi has proven that he knows how this is done. Just on the heels of his big win, he will enter 2007 going for an even larger pot. While much will be expected of him after his most recent success, he has proven that he is up for a challenge and ready to take it on. His tenacious attitude and ability to think ahead are just part of what has made him a real winner.
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