David Pham
Encyclopedia
David Pham is a Vietnamese-American professional poker
player from Bell Gardens
, California
with two World Series of Poker
bracelets
and has made seven final tables at the World Poker Tour
.
and fled to the United States
at the age of 17 in a boat carrying 145 people of which only 46 survived the journey. Once in the United States, Pham gained employment at his cousin's laundry business. His cousin is the famed professional poker player Men "The Master" Nguyen
, from whom Pham would learn poker and continue to do so even after Pham along with his wife had opened a nail salon in Los Angeles, California
.
.
As of 2009, his total live tournament winnings exceed $8,100,000. His 25 cashes at the WSOP account for $932,184 of those winnings.
(WSOP) bracelet in 2001
for the $2.000 S.H.O.E. event, defeating a final table including Tom McEvoy
, John Cernuto
, Cyndy Violette
and Paul Darden
. In 2001 he finished in the money for the $10,000 no limit
hold'em main event, where he finished in 44th place. In 2006, Pham won his second WSOP bracelet in the $2,000 No Limit Hold'em Shootout event.
hold'em event of the L.A. Poker Classic, outlasting such players as John Phan, Jennifer Harman
and Erick Lindgren
to take home the $457,320 first prize.
Later, in December 2004, he defeated Alan Goehring
heads-up to win the $3,000 no limit hold'em event at the Five Diamond World Poker Classic, earning a payday of $414,419.
On March 28, 2008 Pham made his sixth WPT final table at the 2008 World Poker Challenge, where he finished 5th earning $93,664.
On November 11, 2008 Pham finished in fourth place at the WPT Foxwoods World Poker Finals
, earning $240,344.
Since the inception of the World Poker Tour
(WPT), Pham has made seven final tables, but has yet to win a championship event.
's (EPT) PokerStars Caribbean Poker Adventure (formerly an WPT event) after being eliminated at the final table by Bertrand Grospellier
who called Pham all-in with an ace high flush draw on the turn which was made on the river.
Poker
Poker is a family of card games that share betting rules and usually hand rankings. Poker games differ in how the cards are dealt, how hands may be formed, whether the high or low hand wins the pot in a showdown , limits on bet sizes, and how many rounds of betting are allowed.In most modern poker...
player from Bell Gardens
Bell Gardens, California
Bell Gardens is a city in Los Angeles County, California. The population was 42,072 at the 2010 census, down from 44,054 at the 2000 census.Bell Gardens is notable for being one of only five Los Angeles County cities to permit casino gambling...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
with two World Series of Poker
World Series of Poker
The World Series of Poker is a world-renowned series of poker tournaments held annually in Las Vegas and, since 2005, sponsored by Harrah's Entertainment...
bracelets
World Series of Poker bracelet
The World Series of Poker bracelet is considered the most coveted non-monetary prize a poker player can win. Since 1976, a bracelet has been awarded to the winner of every event at the annual WSOP. Even if the victory occurred before 1976, WSOP championships are now counted as "bracelets". ...
and has made seven final tables at the World Poker Tour
World Poker Tour
The World Poker Tour is a series of international poker tournaments and associated television series broadcasting the final table of each tournament. It was started in the United States by attorney/television producer Steven Lipscomb, who served as CEO of WPT Enterprises , the firm that...
.
Early life
Pham was born in South VietnamSouth Vietnam
South Vietnam was a state which governed southern Vietnam until 1975. It received international recognition in 1950 as the "State of Vietnam" and later as the "Republic of Vietnam" . Its capital was Saigon...
and fled to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
at the age of 17 in a boat carrying 145 people of which only 46 survived the journey. Once in the United States, Pham gained employment at his cousin's laundry business. His cousin is the famed professional poker player Men "The Master" Nguyen
Men Nguyen
Men "The Master" Nguyễn is a Vietnamese-American professional poker player.-Early years:In 1967, he dropped out of school at age 13 and became a bus driver to help support his family. In early 1978, a staunch anti-Communist, he escaped from the Communist regime of Vietnam by boat and sailed with...
, from whom Pham would learn poker and continue to do so even after Pham along with his wife had opened a nail salon in Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
.
Poker
In both 2000 and 2007 Pham was named "Player of the Year" by Card PlayerCard Player
Card Player magazine is an industry publication and web portal specializing in poker media, poker strategy and poker tournament coverage. The magazine was founded in 1988 by June Field. In 1998 it was bought by Barry Shulman, who is the current publisher and CEO...
.
As of 2009, his total live tournament winnings exceed $8,100,000. His 25 cashes at the WSOP account for $932,184 of those winnings.
World Series of Poker
Pham won a World Series of PokerWorld Series of Poker
The World Series of Poker is a world-renowned series of poker tournaments held annually in Las Vegas and, since 2005, sponsored by Harrah's Entertainment...
(WSOP) bracelet in 2001
2001 World Series of Poker
-Preliminary events:-Main Event:There were 613 entrants to the main event. Each paid $10,000 to enter what was the largest poker tournament ever played in a non-online casino at the time.-Final table:-Other High Finishes:...
for the $2.000 S.H.O.E. event, defeating a final table including Tom McEvoy
Tom McEvoy
Thomas K. McEvoy is a professional poker player and author. He is best known for his win in the 1983 World Series of Poker main event.-Early life:...
, John Cernuto
John Cernuto
"Miami" John Cernuto is an American professional poker player based in Las Vegas, Nevada, specialising in Omaha hi-lo events.-Early years:...
, Cyndy Violette
Cyndy Violette
Cyndy Violette is an American professional poker player who won a World Series of Poker bracelet in 2004.-Early life:...
and Paul Darden
Paul Darden
Paul Darden, Jr. is an American professional poker player, rap music promoter, and night club owner from New Haven, Connecticut.-Early years:He was accused of murder at the age of 15, due to mistaken identity but was acquitted...
. In 2001 he finished in the money for the $10,000 no limit
Betting (poker)
In the game of poker, the play largely centers on the act of betting, and as such, a protocol has been developed to speed up play, lessen confusion, and increase security while playing...
hold'em main event, where he finished in 44th place. In 2006, Pham won his second WSOP bracelet in the $2,000 No Limit Hold'em Shootout event.
World Series of Poker Bracelets
| Year | Tournament | Prize (US$) |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 2001 World Series of Poker -Preliminary events:-Main Event:There were 613 entrants to the main event. Each paid $10,000 to enter what was the largest poker tournament ever played in a non-online casino at the time.-Final table:-Other High Finishes:... |
$2,000 S.H.O.E. | $140,455 |
| 2006 2006 World Series of Poker The 2006 World Series of Poker began on June 25, 2006 with "satellite" events, with regular play commencing on June 26 with the annual Casino Employee event, and the Tournament of Champions held on June 28 and 29... |
$2,000 No Limit Hold'em Shootout | $240,222 |
World Poker Tour
In February 2003, Pham won the $5,000 limitBetting (poker)
In the game of poker, the play largely centers on the act of betting, and as such, a protocol has been developed to speed up play, lessen confusion, and increase security while playing...
hold'em event of the L.A. Poker Classic, outlasting such players as John Phan, Jennifer Harman
Jennifer Harman
Jennifer C. Harman-Traniello is an American professional poker player.-Early life:Harman was born and raised in Reno, Nevada. She started playing poker in 1972 at the age of eight...
and Erick Lindgren
Erick Lindgren
Erick A. Lindgren is an American professional poker player. He has won two World Poker Tour titles, one World Series of Poker bracelet, and more than seven million dollars in tournament earnings during his poker career.-Poker career:He won his first major tournament at the Bellagio in 2002 and...
to take home the $457,320 first prize.
Later, in December 2004, he defeated Alan Goehring
Alan Goehring
Alan Goehring is a retired American junk bond analyst and trader from Henderson, Nevada. At the age of 37, he became a professional poker player....
heads-up to win the $3,000 no limit hold'em event at the Five Diamond World Poker Classic, earning a payday of $414,419.
On March 28, 2008 Pham made his sixth WPT final table at the 2008 World Poker Challenge, where he finished 5th earning $93,664.
On November 11, 2008 Pham finished in fourth place at the WPT Foxwoods World Poker Finals
World Poker Tour season 7 results
- Spanish Championship:* Casino: Casino Barcelona, Barcelona * Buy-in: €5,000* 5-Day Event: Friday, May 23, 2008 to Tuesday, May 27, 2008* Number of Entries: 253* Total Prize Pool: €1,278,396...
, earning $240,344.
Since the inception of the World Poker Tour
World Poker Tour
The World Poker Tour is a series of international poker tournaments and associated television series broadcasting the final table of each tournament. It was started in the United States by attorney/television producer Steven Lipscomb, who served as CEO of WPT Enterprises , the firm that...
(WPT), Pham has made seven final tables, but has yet to win a championship event.
European Poker Tour
In January 2008, Pham, finished in 4th place winning $600,000 at the European Poker TourEuropean Poker Tour
The Pokerstars European Poker Tour is a series of poker tournaments similar to those in the World Poker Tour , created by John Duthie, winner of the inaugural Poker Million tournament. It began in 2004 as part of the worldwide explosion in Texas Hold 'em popularity...
's (EPT) PokerStars Caribbean Poker Adventure (formerly an WPT event) after being eliminated at the final table by Bertrand Grospellier
Bertrand Grospellier
Bertrand Grospellier , also known as ElkY is a poker player and former pro gamer from France who has won a World Poker Tour , a World Series of Poker bracelet and a European Poker Tour title...
who called Pham all-in with an ace high flush draw on the turn which was made on the river.