Hoai Pham Wins Event #1 $500 Casino Employees No-Limit Hold'em ($71,424)
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Throughout Day 2 Hoai Pham remained focused and determined to do his best. With every decision he was deliberate and it didn't hurt that he picked up some big hands. Fittingly he ended the day with pocket aces.
At the same time he wasn't afraid to make big lay downs. He folded ace-king face up with just two tables left in a spot where he could have raced for the chip lead, opting to play it safe. His patience clearly paid looking at his first-place finish and new World Series of Poker bracelet.
Pham was born in Vietnam and is a dealer at the Village Club Poker Room in San Diego, California. He traveled to Las Vegas to try his luck on the other side of the felt and is proud to be the last player standing.
"This is magical," he told reporters after taking pictures. "I knew I could win."
Over seven hundred casino employees arrived at the Rio on Day 1 searching for a WSOP bracelet, but only one could be crowned. Hoai Pham bested the 721 player field and after two days of grueling action he is the champion of Event #1.
Pham will be presented his bracelet tomorrow at 2 p.m. in the Pavilion Room and, per his request, the Vietnamese National Anthem will be played. He also told our friend Nolan Dalla that he will be singing the lyrics aloud.
Congratulation to Hoai Pham for his first WSOP bracelet and a cool $71,424!