THE FINAL TABLE
2005 World Series of Poker
Lake Tahoe Circuit Event
Harveys (Harrah's) Casino-Resort
Championship Event
No-Limit Hold'em
Buy-in: $10,000
Number of Entries: 173
Players Remaining: 9
Total Prize Money: $1,643,500
SEAT 1: David Pham Ceritos, CA
Chip Count - 195,800
David Pham is originally from Vietnam. He is a 38-year-old professional poker player from the Los Angeles area. Pham won Card Player magazine's 'Player of the Year' in 2000. Pham earned a World Series of Poker gold bracelet in 2001, when he won the mixed-game S.H.O.E. event.
He also has 14 first-place finishes at major poker tournaments during the past four years, which may very well be the highest number of wins of any player in tournament poker. Prior to turning to poker playing as a profession, Pham was a manicurist. He is married and has four children. David Pham's poker nickname is 'The Dragon,' because he is constantly putting heat on his opponents. If the Dragon catches fire today, he's going to burn up the final table.
SEAT 2: Phil Ivey Las Vegas, NV
Chip Count - 296,600
Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA. He moved to New Jersey when he was very young and crafted his trade in the poker rooms of Atlantic City with a fake ID. By the time he was playing inside casinos 'legally' at age 21, Ivey was already crushing the $200-400 game, often whipping players twice his age. Now at age 28, Ivey has become one of poker's most famous player-celebrities, due to his natural charisma and great poker talent.
Ivey has won four gold bracelets to date, including three wins back in 2002 - one of only three players ever to win three WSOP events within a single year. This is Ivey's second straight final table appearance at a WSOP Circuit event; He made the final table at the Rio Las Vegas. Phil Ivey is a dangerous player at any poker table. With chips, he's even more formidable. Ivey arrives today third in the chip count.
SEAT 3: Tommy Reed Chapel Hill, NC
Chip Count - 63,700
Tommy Reed is a 35-year-old businessman from Chapel Hill, NC. Reed earned a college degree from the University of North Carolina and launched a successful marketing company -- which he still owns. Prior to today's championship event, Reed's only previous tournament experience had been as a player in three small daily tournaments in Las Vegas. He just so happened to win two of them.
That's two out of three. Given his 66 percent win rate in poker tournaments, maybe it's time for Reed to sell his business and become a poker pro. He does face the biggest challenge of any player at today's final table since he's lowest in the chip count. We will find out today if a new poker star is born.
SEAT 4: Joe Awada Las Vegas, NV
Chip Count - 73,300
Joe Awada is a 47-year-old gaming consultant from Las Vegas, NV. He has invented several casino games through his company, Gaming Entertainment, Inc. - a few of which have been tested and successfully implemented by casinos. Awada was born in Beirut, Lebanon. When he arrived in the US at age 13, he didn't speak a word of English.
Awada never attended school and as a young boy he sold snow cones and cotton candy for a touring circus. He sent money back home to his relatives in war-torn Lebanon. On the side, Awada practiced and eventually became part of the Ringling Brothers Circus as a juggler and acrobat.
Awada later became a poker dealer - his first job was at (appropriately enough), Circus-Circus. He was arguably the 2004 World Series of Poker's greatest 'comeback' story. Awada came within a single card of winning his first gold bracelet early at the Series -- losing when his opponent caught runner-runner and drew out for the win. That crushing blow gave Awada second place. One week later, justice was served as Awada came back to win the $5,000 buy-in Seven Card Stud event. 'Juggling Joe' Awada is the reigning 'Seven-Card Stud World Champion.'
SEAT 5: Jonathan Shecter Las Vegas, NV
Chip Count - 347,200
Jonathan Shecter is a 36-year-old media entrepreneur originally from Philadelphia, PA. He now lives in Las Vegas. Shecter graduated from Harvard University in 1990. He has one final table appearance on his poker resume - a 7th place finish at the Bellagio last month. Shecter appeared in the 1998 movie largely about poker, called 'Rounders.' His poker nickname is 'Shecky Green,' after the legendary stand up comedian.
One thing is for sure - his opponents won't be laughing if Shecter continues to play poker as he has these past three days. His aggressive style and second place status in the chip count makes him the wild card at today's final table.
SEAT 6: Jeffrey Lisandro Salerno, Italy
Chip Count - 402,800
Today's chip leader is originally from Perth, Australia. He now has homes in Salerno, Italy and Santa Barbara, CA. Jeff Lisandro is a 39-year-old property investor who regularly plays poker tournaments and big live-action games in both the US and Europe. He has made it into the money eight times at the WSOP and has five final table appearances. Third-place was his best WSOP showing, so far.
Lisandro says that his mother first taught him how to play poker when he was five years old. He adds that he doesn't care if he takes 9th place or 2nd place in a tournament. To Lisandro, there is no difference. All that matters is winning the top prize. Lisandro adds that he would like nothing more than to win this event and show his mother back home that he won something. 'I'd love to win one just for her,' he says.
SEAT 7: Salim Batshon Foster City, CA
Chip Count - 148,600
Salim Batshon is one of five foreign-born players at today's final table. Batshon, now age 46, was born in Palestine and arrived in the US in 1975. He owns a coffee business in the San Francisco Bay area - but also plays poker seriously for income. Batshon's poker nickname is 'Sam B.' He is married and has four children. 'Sam B' has cashed three times at the WSOP. His best finish was 5th place in last year's $5,000 buy-in no-limit event. Sam B will be cheered on by a large following in today's finale. They are all hoping to see Salim Batshon win a breakthrough tournament victory.
SEAT 8: James Van Alstyne Las Vegas, NV
Chip Count - 113,400
James Van Alstyne is a 38-year-old professional poker player originally from Columbus, GA. He was an engineer before taking on poker as a profession. Van Alstyne has won two major tournaments - at the Ultimate Poker Challenge and the Poker Royale. Both of those victories paid over $100,000 each. He has a total of 24 cashes at major tournaments since 1998 - including 3rd and 4th place finishes at events at the WSOP Circuit held at the Rio. Van Alstyne now resides in Las Vegas and is seeking his biggest payday ever.
SEAT 9: George Saca Folsom, CA
Chip Count - 89,000
George Saca was born in Bethlehem. He is a 48-year-old general manager in retail sales now living in Folsom, CA. In his spare time, Saca enjoys snow skiing, golf, racquetball, and soccer. That is - when he's not playing poker. Saca played in the 2004 World Series of Poker main event and, by his own admission finished 'in the middle of the pack.' Saca has certainly surpassed that performance today, as this is his first final table at a major tournament. We will see if Saca can take a modest chip count, and pull off an upset by winning his first-ever WSOP championship.
NOTE: Play at the final table will start on Wednesday, May 11, 2005 at 2:00 pm PST
Prize Money:
1st -- $542,360
2nd - 299,360
3rd - 164,350
4th - 131,480
5th - 98,610
6th - 82,175
7th - 65,740
8th - 49,305
9th - 32,870
DAY THREE FINISHERS:
10. Alan Goehring Henderson, NV 23,010
11. Scott Von Duhn Woodale, IL 23,010
12. Michael Mizrachi Hollywood, FL 23,010
13. Scott Fischman Las Vegas, NV 19,720
14. Tony Le Reno, NV 19,720
15. John Smith La Habra Heights, CA 19,720
16. Frank Kassela Germantown, TN 16,435
17. Tony Prestigiacomo Genoa, NV 16,435
18. Robert Hume Orlando, FL 16,435
Report by Nolan Dalla - World Series of Poker Media Director
Photo images by Eric Harkins (Image Masters) - Official World Series of Poker Photographer
World Series of Poker Tournament Director - John Grooms
World Series of Poker Circuit Director - Ken Lambert
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