Journeyman said:
I know many familar poker faces, past and present.
Probably the most recognizable to most that I knew somewhat fairly well was the late great Stu Ungar...........of which I have told a few stories about here in the past on the RX.
Back in the late 80's there were just a handful of no limit holdem tourneys on a daily basis in Vegas............one of the more popular being the one the DESERT INN would have. A few of todays recognizable names were at least semi-regualars in this game. Susie Issacs for one was there every single day for the most part.
Here is his bio:
Only a small number of poker players in the world have the necessary skills, knowledge, and mind-set to make their living at the game, to give up their day jobs and join the elite ranks of the professional gambler. An even smaller percentage of that group has what it takes to become an international poker champion, to build a legendary reputation at tables around the world, at a time when poker games weren't broadcast every night on ESPN.
Sam Farha has sat down with the best poker players in the world, and walked away with their money enough times to know that he's their equal, if not their better.
Sam was born in Beirut, Lebanon, where he showed an early talent for games of skill and chance. As a teen-ager, he excelled at Pac-Man, pinball, and pool, and he learned to make money on all three. He once played a single game of Pac-Man for $5,000, and his skill at pinball garnered him the cover of a Lebanese magazine.
At that time, however, it did not seem reasonable to Sam (or his father) to make a living as a gambler. Sam moved to the United States in 1977 to attend the University of Kansas, where he graduated with a degree in Business Administration.
He moved to Houston, Texas after graduating, where he worked several jobs before he found his true calling at a poker table, playing with friends for fifty cents a hand. With poker, Sam's interest in gaming re-emerged.
He began playing with his friends more often, and at higher stakes. He soon made his first trip to Las Vegas, where he turned $2,000 to $7,000. The learning process was gradual, but Sam steadily improved his game. After four years of playing, Sam felt he was good enough to quit his job and invest his money, and his future, in poker. He was right.
In 1996 Sam Farha won the Pot-Limit Omaha championship at the World Series of Poker and came in second in 2002. Last May, Sam took second place at the WSOP's No Limit Texas Hold 'Em Championship.
His aggressive and unpredictable style of play, based upon his ability to read and intimidate his opponents, has changed the way the game is played. He is recognized internationally as a renowned gambler, and at poker tables everywhere as a winner.
Only a small number of poker players in the world have the necessary skills, knowledge, and mind-set to make their living at the game, to give up their day jobs and join the elite ranks of the professional gambler. An even smaller percentage of that group has what it takes to become an international poker champion, to build a legendary reputation at tables around the world, at a time when poker games weren't broadcast every night on ESPN.
Sam Farha has sat down with the best poker players in the world, and walked away with their money enough times to know that he's their equal, if not their better.
Sam was born in Beirut, Lebanon, where he showed an early talent for games of skill and chance. As a teen-ager, he excelled at Pac-Man, pinball, and pool, and he learned to make money on all three. He once played a single game of Pac-Man for $5,000, and his skill at pinball garnered him the cover of a Lebanese magazine.
At that time, however, it did not seem reasonable to Sam (or his father) to make a living as a gambler. Sam moved to the United States in 1977 to attend the University of Kansas, where he graduated with a degree in Business Administration.
He moved to Houston, Texas after graduating, where he worked several jobs before he found his true calling at a poker table, playing with friends for fifty cents a hand. With poker, Sam's interest in gaming re-emerged.
He began playing with his friends more often, and at higher stakes. He soon made his first trip to Las Vegas, where he turned $2,000 to $7,000. The learning process was gradual, but Sam steadily improved his game. After four years of playing, Sam felt he was good enough to quit his job and invest his money, and his future, in poker. He was right.
In 1996 Sam Farha won the Pot-Limit Omaha championship at the World Series of Poker and came in second in 2002. Last May, Sam took second place at the WSOP's No Limit Texas Hold 'Em Championship.
His aggressive and unpredictable style of play, based upon his ability to read and intimidate his opponents, has changed the way the game is played. He is recognized internationally as a renowned gambler, and at poker tables everywhere as a winner.
gynecologist said:
http://www.pokerpages.com/players/lists/worlds-top-players.htm
Sam Farha
Born in Beirut, Lebanon, Sam Farha showed exceptional talent at games of skill very early on. As a teen he learned to make money at pool, pinball, and even Pac-Man, once earning $5,000 on a single game of Pac-Man. Sam moved to the US in 1977, graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in Business Administration. Gambling for a living did not seem like a probability, but after he moved to Houston and started playing nickel-and-dime poker with this friends, Farha's interest in the game began to peak. Four years and a successful trip to Vegas later, Farha left his job, invested his money, and pursued poker full-time. Known for his aggressive style and trademark unlit cigarette, Farha is easily one of the most recognizable and talented players in the game today.
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><!-- LEFT col --><TD align=middle width=212>
Location: Houston, TX, United States
Cashes: 11
Total Winnings: $2,040,468
First Place Finishes: 2
WSOP Bracelets: 2
ProRank 1 Position: 59 [ DETAILS ]
ProRank </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
He had "flash in the pan" C Moneymaker by the "nuts" back in 2003 but didnt call his bluff......
