The recent World Series of Poker prompted this week's LuckyDog questions.

* I'm glad we have a new WSOP champion. I didn't like that Jamie Gold character very much from last year. What was up with him? -- Jack M. of Moline

You're not alone, Jack! Many players I know came to dislike Gold, especially after watching the ESPN final-table broadcast and reading about the lawsuit over his reported broken promise to share the $12 million prize. Download poker wallpapers.

My first impression watching Gold in Las Vegas last summer was positive. He was invincible. But at the time, I didn't know about his apparent rules violations -- showing his cards and telling opponents what he held while hands were in progress.

I also think his frequent chats between hands with 10-time bracelet winner Johnny Chan were questionable. We don't know exactly what was said, but poker is a game of gathering information and acting accordingly -- actions normally relegated to the player while the game is in progress. Play route 66 poker.

Can you imagine the scene if every finalist had a coach or scout standing nearby to convey tips on the spot?

Enter Jerry Yang, a freshly-minted poker player who may have more positive impact on the game's image than most champions before him.

The 39-year-old Yang's persona bears little resemblance to what we usually see from players on TV. A devout Methodist, Yang wears his faith on his sleeve and is quick to give credit to a higher power for his victory.

"I've seen the miracles of God with my own eyes," Yang said after winning $8.25 million and the champion's gold-and-diamond bracelet against a field of 6,358 players & women poker players. "I did a lot of bluffing, also."

Among those miracles, Yang no doubt counts his six children, as well as his transition from a poor member of the Hmong people in Laos to a successful psychologist in Temecula, Calif., determined to help others through social and missionary work.

Days before final-table action began, Yang pledged 10 percent of his winnings to the Make-a-Wish Foundation, Feed the Children, the Ronald McDonald House and Loma Linda University, his alma mater.

No lawsuit will be needed for Yang to keep his promise. Play $500 match poker bonus.

Yang's poker playing, meanwhile, whether a product of divine guidance or dumb luck, was simply amazing. Poker experience wasn't much of a factor because Yang, who won his WSOP seat in a $225 satellite tourney, only has been playing the game for two years.

Nevertheless, Yang aggressively stormed from next-to-last in chips at the start of the final table into a dominant chip position. Along the way, he eliminated seven of the eight other final-table competitors himself. When heads-up play began for the title against pro Tuan Lam, 40, of Mississauga, Canada, Yang led in chips, $104.5 million to $23 million.

The end came when Lam moved all-in with A-Q suited and Yang called quickly with 8-8. A flop of Q-9-5 gave Lam a pair of queens and a big lead in the hand. As Lam waived a Canada flag and Yang's supporters chanted "USA, USA, USA," the final two board cards were a seven and a six, giving Yang the "miracle" straight. Online poker.

After the dust settled, a gracious Yang said he will "be happy to serve as an ambassador for poker" and spread the word about "what a great game this is."

He won't be bluffing about that.

* Why isn't ESPN televising the WSOP Omaha high-low world championship (Event 36)? -- William R. of Appleton, Wis.

ESPN's announced TV schedule includes 11 of the 55 WSOP events, with 32 hours of programming in two-hour blocks on Tuesday nights. Eight of those 16 weeks will be devoted to the main event, starting Aug. 21. Stay tuned to our poker blog for more updates.

As you know, William, Event 36 was won by John Guth, 26, of Vancouver, Wash. He eliminated pros Mike Matusow, Todd Brunson and Annie Duke en route to the victory and $363,216.

Poker News Source: Daily Journal