World Series of Poker Final Table 2012: Player Profiles

Written by :

Associated Press

Published on :

29 October, 2012

(Associated Press) - The final nine players in the World Series of Poker main event, as determined July 17 after an eighth session of no-limit Texas Hold ‘em at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

The finalists emerged from a field of 6,598 players and were set to compete Monday and Tuesday for the tournament’s top prize of $8.53 million, plus a gold championship bracelet worth $150,000. All nine finalists were paid ninth place prizes of $754,798 in July; higher finishers win at least $971,360 and will be paid the difference from ninth-place money after they finish their run. Players are in order of their seating arrangement at the final table.1. Russell Thomas (24,800,000 in chips)

AGE: 24

HOMETOWN: Hartford, Conn.

OCCUPATION: insurance actuary

PRIOR SERIES ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Three cashes for $126,796

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2. Jake Balsiger (13,115,000)

AGE: 21

HOMETOWN: Tempe, Ariz.

OCCUPATION: college student

PRIOR SERIES ACCOMPLISHMENTS: One cash for $3,531

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3. Jeremy Ausmus (9,805,000)

AGE: 33

HOMETOWN: Las Vegas

OCCUPATION: poker professional

PRIOR SERIES ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 13 cashes for $114,623

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4. Steve Gee (16,860,000)

AGE: 57

HOMETOWN: Sacramento, Calif.

OCCUPATION: poker professional

PRIOR SERIES ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 4 cashes for $480,822, including a gold bracelet in 2010 for winning a $1,000 buy-in no-limit Texas Hold ‘em event.

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5. Greg Merson (28,725,000)

AGE: 24

HOMETOWN: Laurel, Md.

OCCUPATION: poker professional

PRIOR SERIES ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 5 cashes for $1.3 million, including a gold bracelet this year for winning a $10,000 buy-in six-handed no-limit Texas Hold ‘em event.

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6. Jesse Sylvia (43,875,000)

AGE: 24

HOMETOWN: Las Vegas

OCCUPATION: poker professional

PRIOR SERIES ACCOMPLISHMENTS: One cash for $2,954.

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7. Robert Salaburu (15,155,000)

AGE: 27

HOMETOWN: San Antonio

OCCUPATION: poker professional

PRIOR SERIES ACCOMPLISHMENTS: none.

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8. Andras Koroknai (29,375,000)

AGE: 30

HOMETOWN: Debrecen, Hungary

OCCUPATION: poker professional

PRIOR SERIES ACCOMPLISHMENTS: two cashes for $39,371.

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9. Michael Esposito (16,260,000)

AGE: 44

HOMETOWN: Seaford, N.Y.

OCCUPATION: commodities broker

PRIOR SERIES ACCOMPLISHMENTS: two cashes for $24,934.

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