DANNY FUHS WINS OMAHA HIGH-LOW CHAMPIONSHIP
Danny Fuhs won the most recent World Series of Poker gold bracelet event at the Rio in Las Vegas.

However, this wasn't so much a tournament that took three long days and nights.  Rather, it was a journey that began some 18 years ago, when Fuhs was first became enthralled with the allure of poker and other forms of gambling.

While attending college at New Mexico State University, Fuhs began playing pool regularly, which led to betting on the games.  He started playing 10 to 12 hours a day, often betting $2 to $5 per game.  He got  better and better and found he could make money at something he was good at.

That eventually led to playing poker, and the rest as they say is history.  By the time he was 30, Fuhs was living in Albuquerque, NM and playing regularly at the new casino that had opened.  Fuhs learned his trade playing $4-$8 almost every day.

While others were caught up in the glitz and glamour of tournaments, and suffered what in some cases were inevitable downfalls and disappointments, Fuhs continued to grind away in the games he knew he could beat.  However, as he became more proficient and his bankroll grew, Fuhs realized he needed to continue testing himself.  And that's what led to him coming to the WSOP.

Each and every year since 2003, Fuhs has attended the WSOP.  He's witnessed the so-called “poker boom” first hand.  Yet while other enjoyed success around him, the glory always seemed to pass him by.  He cashed plenty of times – 15 in fact coming into this event.  There were also three previous final tales.  Each and every time he left without a gold bracelet.

And so the perfect stage had been set for the man who took the fifth seat at the final table of the $5,000 buy-in Omaha High-Low tournament.  This time, he wasn't alone.  Cheered on by a huge crowd of chanting supporters his rail may have provided the difference that resulted in a cash win of $277,519 for first place, plus the game's most coveted prize.

MEET GOLD BRACELET WINNER – DANIEL FUHS

Name:  Daniel Fuhs
 
Current Residence:  San Diego, CA (USA)
 
Birthplace:  Long Beach, CA (USA)
 
Age:  41
 
Profession:  Professional Poker Player
 
WSOP Cashes (including this event):  16
 
First WSOP Cash (year):  2005
 
WSOP Final Table Appearances:  5
 
WSOP Wins (with this victory):  1
 
WSOP Earnings:  $715,879


INTERVIEW WITH THE CHAMPION


WSOP:  How does it feel to win your first WSOP gold bracelet?
 
Fuhs:  A bracelet is every poker player's dream.  (Other tournaments) have all the television and lights, but this is old school.  This is nice.  I can't even explain my emotions right now.  I am extremely happy.

WSOP:  How special was it to have all your family and friends here, including your parents?
 
Fuhs:  It's amazing.  What can I tell you?  The love and support is outstanding.  It makes me 100 times happier that they are here with me.  They won it with me.  They put in the hours here with me, too.

WSOP:  What's it like playing here at the WSOP, as you have watched it change and grow.
 
Fuhs:  It's every poker player's dream.  They are coming from all over the place to play.  And now, the fields are bigger and tougher.  At my age, it's tougher.  Some of them might think we don't have a chance, but some of us older players have won bracelets this year, too.  So, it's good.  It's some pride for the old school.

WSOP:  How long have you been a poker pro?
 
Fuhs:  I started playing Stud at a casino near Las Cruces, NM about 18 years ago.  But I started calling myself a professional poker player when I moved to Albuquerque and found out I could beat the game there.  We played $4-$8 Limit Hold'em.  I was making $500 a week playing poker, and then lost $700 a week betting sports.

WSOP:  What's something that people may not realize about playing here at the WSOP.
 
Fuhs:  These things are draining.  It takes a lot of energy to play these things.

WSOP:  Can you discuss playing Omaha versus Hold'em?
 
Fuhs:  It's hard to beat these younger kids in Hold'em.  They are gurus at it.  But Omaha High-Low is a little different.  I felt very comfortable in the game, especially when I got heads up.  

WSOP:  What advice would you give to someone who wants to win a gold bracelet.
 
Fuhs:  I don't worry about things I can't control.  I just knock them off one at a time if I can until we get to the finish line.  And here we are.  I'm overwhelmed with joy right now.