Poker Player Profile: Jamie Gold

Celebrity talent agent turned celebrity poker player, Jamie Gold is the world’s top earning poker player, with over $12 million in prize money banked thus far in his short career.

Jamie Gold Stats:

Birth Date: 25/08/1969

WSOP Bracelets: 1

Tournament wins: 2

Money finishes: 15

Total prize money: $12,161,719

Residence: Malibu, California

Jamie Gold Bio:

Jamie Gold was born in Missouri, but moved to New York in his youth when his mother re-married. Gold graduated from high school in 1987, and studied for a bachelor’s degree before moving to California to study Entertainment Law at UCLA.

Before launching his career as a professional poker player, Jamie Gold worked as a talent agent and his clients included a number of celebrities, amongst whom were James Gandolfini and Lucy Liu. Gold’s work also led him to an encounter with WSOP legend Johnny Chan, who became his poker mentor and inspired him to test his skills at the highest level.

Jamie Gold Poker Career:

Jamie Gold was exposed to card games from an early age. His mother was an avid poker player, while his grandfather was a top ranked gin rummy player. For many years Jamie Gold restricted his play to recreational poker, reading books on poker strategy and playing online.

In 2004 Jamie Gold began participating in tournament poker, achieving his first money finish in August of 2004. Seven months later Gold picked up his first tournament win, taking home $54,225 from the Stars and Stripes No Limit Hold ‘em Tournament.

Jamie Gold finished in the money on another eight occasions during the course of 2005 and 2006, before landing the biggest prize in the history of professional poker. At the 2006 World Series of Poker main event, Jamie Gold easily outplayed his professional opponents and won the $12 million prize with a skillful bluff.

Since taking his WSOP title, Jamie Gold has divided his time between playing tournament poker, poker charity events and running his talent agency.

Jamie Gold Playing Style

Jamie Gold’s style of play has sparked controversy on more than one occasion. His most famous tactic borders on illegality, and involves disclosing his hand strength to force stronger hands to fold. As a skillful bluffer with a strong, aggressive game, Jamie Gold is able to hold his own against more experienced professional players.