Event #1: Casino Employees Championship (NLH - $500 buy-in) kicked off the 2012 WSOP last Sunday and has now come to an end. The name of the champion and the very first Gold Bracelet winner this year is Chiab Saechao from Visalia, CA. He overcame a field of 732 players and received (besides the bracelet) $70,859 for his fantastic achievement.
Saechao is a full-time blackjack dealer at the Tachi Casino, in Lemoore, CA. This was his first time to cash in a major poker tournament and the first time he competed in the Casino Employees event! However, he has participated in the Main Event Championship twice previously in his poker career.
MEET NEW WSOP GOLD BRACELET CHAMPION - CHIP SAECHAO (from WSOP's homepage)
The 2012 World Series of Poker "Casino Employees Champion" is Chiab "Chip" Saechao, from Visalia, CA.
Saechao is called "Chip" by his family and friends.
Saechao is a blackjack dealer. He works full-time at the Tachi Casino, which is located in California's Central Valley.
Saechao is 35-years-old. He was born in Thailand. He spent much of his early life in a refugee camp for displaced persons.
Saechao immigrated to the United States at the age of 15.
After graduating from high school, Saechao attended college at College of the Sequoias. But he did not graduate.
Saechao was attracted to the casino business because of the excitement of the industry.
Saechao collected $70,859 for first place. He was also awarded his first WSOP gold bracelet.
According to official records, Saechao now has 1 win, 1 final table appearance, and 1 in-the-money finish at the WSOP.
Saechao currently has $70,859 in career WSOP winnings.
Saechao started playing poker about two years ago. He won a seat into the WSOP in the first tournament in which he participated. In fact, Saechao played in two Main Events prior to entering this tournament for the first time.
Saechao says he plays mostly in low-stakes cash games, with an occasional low buy-in tournament on occasion.
Saechao is to be regarded as an amateur poker player since he both works full-time in another occupation.
Saechao's favorite poker player is Daniel Negreanu.
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WINNER QUOTES (POST-TOURNAMENT INTERVIEW)
On working as a blackjack dealer: "I like working in the casino business. It's fast money and it sure beats working out in the hot sun."
On his confidence level entering the final day: "I won my seat into the WSOP Main Event, a few years ago. And then, I won a seat again the following year. I decided to myself then, -- that maybe I really can play this game, after all."
On players he respect most in poker: "I like Daniel Negreanu, is who I respect most. He is always nice matter what. When I see him on TV, he is always nice no matter what happens - unlike some of the other guys."
On plans for the $70,000 in prize money: "I will pay off a lot of my debt. And, I will give some of it to my wife so she can buy some nice things."
On what he thinks of the newly-designed WSOP gold bracelet this year: "I love it!"
On returning to work after winning 70 grand and a gold bracelet: "I plan to wear it and show it off. Not too many can come over here to Las Vegas and go back home with this."
