LAS VEGAS — Jerry Yang, who came to the United States as a 13-year-old refugee from war-torn Laos and knows what it means to beat tough odds, joined the list of improbable recent champions in the main event of the World Series of Poker.
At about 3:48 a.m. local time Wednesday, the 39-year-old psychologist and social worker from Temecula, Calif., claimed the championship bracelet and top prize of $8.25 million in the Texas Hold’em world championship tournament that started on July 6 with 6,358 players.
It came down to Yang and Tuan Lam, a refugee from Vietnam who now lives in Kitchener, Ont., and took home $4,840,981 for his runner-up finish.
Holding a massive lead of more than 5-1 in chips against Lam, Yang applied the clincher when he completed a winning straight on the final card dealt in the tournament.
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At about 3:48 a.m. local time Wednesday, the 39-year-old psychologist and social worker from Temecula, Calif., claimed the championship bracelet and top prize of $8.25 million in the Texas Hold’em world championship tournament that started on July 6 with 6,358 players.
It came down to Yang and Tuan Lam, a refugee from Vietnam who now lives in Kitchener, Ont., and took home $4,840,981 for his runner-up finish.
Holding a massive lead of more than 5-1 in chips against Lam, Yang applied the clincher when he completed a winning straight on the final card dealt in the tournament.
Discuss Add this link to... Bury
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