DAVID CHIU DEDICATES FIFTH BRACELET TO PAL JERRY BUSS
“Mr. Nice Guy” Takes $2,500 buy-in Seven-Card Stud Title

David Chiu moved into even more elite company tonight by winning his fifth career World Series of Poker gold bracelet.

His victory took place at the Rio in Las Vegas in the $2,500 buy-in Seven-Card Stud tournament, one of the most stacked events on the schedule in terms of accomplishments and experience.  The final table included seven of eight players who had previously won gold bracelets – an almost unheard of number in the modern poker age.

Chiu defeated a formidable lineup that included Scott Seiver (runner-up), Freddie Ellis (who won the Seven-Card Stu Championship in 2009), Michael “The Grinder” Mizrachi (with three gold bracelets, two  of which came in the Poker Players Championships), Frank Kassela (2010 WSOP Player of the Year), Gary Benson (the first Australian to win a gold bracelet, which happened in this event back in 1996), bracelet winner Adam Friedman, and Matthew Ashton, who was making his third final table appearance of the summer.

Chiu's victory moves him into a tie for career wins with some extraordinary names, and even a few legends.  The current list of five-time gold bracelet winners now includes – David Chiu, Stu Ungar, Berry Johnston, Chris Ferguson, Daniel Negreanu, John Juanda, Allen Cunningham, Jeffrey Lisandro, Scotty Nguyen, Ted Forrest, and Gary “Bones” Berland.

Chiu understood the meaning of his victory which was made all the more satisfying by the way this tournament began three days earlier.  There was special significance attached to this year's competition, as it was used as means to honor the Los Angeles Lakers legend Dr. Jerry Buss, who owned the storied franchise, but still made time to come play this event every year at the WSOP (he once took third place in this very event).  Chiu dedicated his win and the gold bracelet to Dr. Buss in his memory.  He also noted that the late great sports owner had performed a number of kinds deeds for him in the past.

And so, Chiu's victory was a full-circle closure to a tournament that began with a special video message by NBA star Kobe Bryant, who started things off with the customary “Shuffle Up and Deal” announcement.  The stud tourney drew 246 players.  The top 32 finishers made the money. 

Chui's last gold bracelet win took place eight years ago, seemingly an eternity in the modern age of so many talented young players.  He's amassed a whopping $3.3 million in WSOP earnings for his career and ranks in the top ten all time in the number of cashes.

At age 52, Chui is still playing poker at the highest level and shows no signs of slowing down.  The question is – how many more gold bracelets are in Chui's future?

If nice guys always finish first, then David Chui has a very bright future, indeed

MEET GOLD BRACELET WINNER – DAVID CHIU


Name:  David Chiu
 
Current Residence:  Las Vegas, NV (USA)
 
Birthplace:  Peoples Republic of China
 
Age:  52
 
Marital Status:  Married
 
Children:  2
 
Profession:  Professional Poker Player
 
WSOP Cashes (including this event):  57
 
First WSOP Cash (year):  1996
 
WSOP Final Table Appearances:  20
 
WSOP Wins (with this victory):  5
 
WSOP Earnings:  $3,310,447

 
INTERVIEW WITH THE CHAMPION

WSOP:  How does it feel to win your fifth WSOP gold bracelet?
 
Chiu:  This one means a lot, because there were so many tough players at the final table and because of Dr. Jerry Buss being a part of it.

WSOP:  We understand this win is special for you because of Dr. Buss. Can you explain why?
 
Chiu:  I am dedicating this gold bracelet to Dr. Jerry Buss.  This is for him, because he had so much love for this game.  We all miss him so much.  I want to do this for him and it's why I played so hard to win.

WSOP:  This was a tough final table.  Can you talk about some of your opponents?
 
Chiu:  Everybody here was a great player, like Freddie (Ellis).  I hope I can play like him when I am his age (79).  I enjoyed this final table a lot, with Michael (Mizrachi), Scott (Seiver), and the rest.  The whole table was good.  All professionals.

WSOP:  It's been eight years since you won.  Did you ever think the game is passing you by?
 
Chiu:  I don't think that way.  All the younger guys play No-Limit Hold'em, but the old-school guys still have Stud and all the mixed games.  That's what makes the WSOP special.  If I did not think I have what it takes to play, I would not compete.  I still have a shot, I think.

WSOP:  You are now among some great players in WSOP history.  Are you now a superstar?
 
Chiu:  I'm really low key.  I just say hi.  I'm not into being a celebrity.  I'm just a normal person who likes to play poker.

WSOP:  You have been fighting to bring poker to China, where you were born.  Can you discuss that?
 
Chiu:  When I won a WPT Championship back in 2008, I started working to bring more poker to China.  We are trying to create more private clubs.  There at 1.3 billion in China.  Imagine all of them playing poker.  WSOP is also going to come to China.  Hopefully soon.
 
ODDS AND ENDS

Freddie Ellis, who won the Stud Championship in 2009, could have become the second-oldest winner of an open event in WSOP histtory had he won (behind Johnny Moss).  However, Ellis finished third.

This was Mike Sexton's 56th career WSOP cash.  This currently ranks in 13th place.