| The Final Table:
Final Starts at 2pm
All the Day 3 action can be found here - See Sharlas Blog
The Final Table:
Seat 1: Robert 'RWC' Cheung
Hometown: Vancouver, BC (Canada)
Chip Count: 155,000
Robert Cheung, also known for his initials 'RWC,' is a 45-year-old businessman from Vancouver, British Columbia. He holds a Masters Degree in applied science and has also been a PhD candidate. RCW began playing poker only two years ago. He earned his way into this event via a $200 buy-in satellite held at Harvey's Lake Tahoe. RCW has one tournament win thus far – which he earned at the Bellagio Casino in Las Vegas. He was the chip leader after Day One in this tournament, but is now 7th in the chip count. When asked what's the one thing he wants others to know about him, RCW answered, 'I'm single and looking.' Should he win first prize in this event, his search for a mate might be over.
Seat 2: Jamin Stokes
Hometown: Grand Rapids, MI
Chip Count: 87,500
Jamin Stokes is a 25-year-old poker player originally from Detroit, now living in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is married and has one child. When asked where he learned to play poker, Stokes answered, 'from the school of hard knocks.' Stokes has enjoyed the taste of victory on the World Series of Poker Circuit. He won the $1,500 buy-in no-limit hold'em event at Caesar's Indiana last year. That makes him one of only two players at this final table who has previously won a WSOP Circuit gold ring. Stokes has a big challenge ahead of him at this final table. He arrives 8th in the chip count. But given his background and experience, Stokes promises to make things interesting and exciting.
Seat 3: Brian Fidler
Hometown: Stamford, CT
Chip Count: 639,000
Brian Fidler is a 27-year-old accountant from Stamford, Connecticut. He holds a B.S. in accounting from Sacred Heart University. He is playing here in his first World Series of Poker-related event. If Fidler wins this tournament, the next day's headline is certain to be: 'A Star is Born.' Fidler arrives at the final table with a formidable chip lead – with 639,000 in chips, nearly double that of his closest rival. Fidler's story of how he came to Harrah's Lake Tahoe is truly remarkable. He won an online tournament which gave the winner poker lessons from poker pro Daniel Negreanu. Fidler has thus become known as 'Protégé,' for his affiliation with his poker mentor Negreanu. However, since Negreanu busted-out of this tournament on Day One and is standing on the rail, while Fidler currently has a massive chip lead, one must wonder – will Fidler be coaching Negreanu anytime soon?
Seat 4: Tony Le
Hometown: Reno, NV
Chip Count: 341,500
The local favorite at this final table is Tony Le, from Reno, Nevada. Le is originally from Saigon, Vietnam. He is a 40-year-old games supervisor who is now married and has a college degree. Le has enjoyed some success in tournament poker – with final table finishes at major events held in Reno. In fact, Le has been playing poker since he was a youngster back in Vietnam. He qualified to play in this event by winning a super satellite. Now, he is second in the chip count. Le also wishes to note that he enjoys playing poker because it's both fun and challenging. When he's not playing poker, Le also enjoys the game of Chinese Chess. Anyone who wants to play Chinese Chess for $1,000 a game is invited to contact Mr. Le after the conclusion of this event.
Seat 5: J.C. Tran
Hometown: Sacramento, CA
Chip Count: 197,000
J.C. Tran was also born in Vietnam. He is a 29-year-old professional poker player now living in Sacramento, California. He holds a B.S. degree in business administration. Tran has been playing poker for about eight years. He is self-taught and learned poker through his own playing experience. Tran is the second player at this final table who has previously won a WSOP Circuit gold ring – which he earned last year at the Rio in Las Vegas. In fact, Tran has made it to three WSOP final tables, three WSOP Circuit final tables, and has several other high finishes in his illustrious poker tournament career. Based solely on accomplishments, Tran is probably the player to beat at this final table. However, he is now 5th in chips after being close to the chip lead at the end of Day One. J.C. Tran will certainly be dangerous, especially if he gets more chips.
Seat 6: Clint Baskin
Hometown: Stockton, CA
Chip Count: 319,000
Clint Baskin is a 32-year-old plumber from Stockton, California. He is married and has two children. Baskin has an interesting story. He started playing poker at the age of five and was taught the game by his great grandmother. He won his seat into this event through a super satellite and is now competing for the largest prize of his life – $372,240 for first place. When asked what is his biggest accomplishing in poker, Baskin replied, 'this one.' Baskin's victory would certainly be a Cinderella story. He arrives at the final table in great position – a close third in the chip count.
Seat 7: Joe DuBois
Hometown: Green Bay, WI
Chip Count: 172,000
Joe DuBois is the youngest player at the final table. He is 21-years-old and is currently on break from the University of Wisconsin. He now lives in Green Bay. DuBois earned his entry to play in this tournament at an online site. Incredibly, DuBois invested just $10 in an online tournament and is now guaranteed at least $31,020 in prize money, and perhaps will earn much more. DuBois started playing poker for fun with his friends in high school and has certainly graduated to much higher level of competition. This is DuBois' first final table ever at a major poker tournament. Judging by the way he is playing so far, it won't be his last.
Seat 8: Matt Russell
Hometown: Houston, TX
Chip Count: 81,500
Matt Russell is a 28-year-old real estate investor from Houston, Texas. He is married. Russell is perhaps the hottest player at this final table, since he also made it to the finale of the previous WSOP Circuit tournament held last month at Harrah's New Orleans. Russell finished third in that tournament. Despite his obvious poker talent, it will be a big challenge top that finish this time, since he arrives here with the lowest chip stack. Nevertheless, Russell has an commendable record of accomplishment. He is a perfect 2 for 2 in making it to WSOP-related final tables. He's made it at least this far in the only two WSOP events he has ever played. Whatever happens here, that's an incredible record of achievement.
Seat 9: Justin Scott
Hometown: Detroit, MI
Chip Count: 204,500
Justin Scott is 22-years-old. He lives in Detroit, Michigan. He previously worked as a contractor before starting to take poker more seriously. Scott learned to play poker when he was a child and has been playing in major tournaments over the past year. He biggest win to date was an $80,000 cash, recently. He also finished 10th in the Caesar's Indiana WSOP Circuit championship held last year. Scott says that he is willing to gamble at this final table. After a rocky start here in Lake Tahoe over the previous week, he needs to finish 6thor higher to break even for this trip, he says. Scott is ahead of the pace so far, currently fourth in chips as the start of the final table.
PRIZE MONEY PAYOUTS:
1.$372,240
2.206,800
3.113,740
4.82,720
5.72,380
6.62,040
7.51,700
8.41,360
9.31,020
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