He's been chosen as the favorite by betting sites to take down the 2012 World Series of Poker Main Event at 3-1 odds, and the man himself, Jesse Sylvia seems to agree with this by reportedly saying, "I will be the next champ." The odds, and most likely a lot of Sylvia's confidence, are based on his chip lead. He'll be sitting down in seat 6 at the Rio, Las Vegas on 28th October with a stack of 43.8 million chips.
Sylvia says he's learned a lot from fellow final tablist Russell Thomas, whom he roomed with in 2010. Since that time, Thomas went on to a full time job as an actuary while Sylvia turned pro. They had many conversations during the first 10 days of the 2012 Main Event, about chip counts and hands played and a few jokes about the impossible dream of them both making the final table. But by the time they got to 10-handed they both just looked at each other, too speechless to do anything but shake their heads in wonder
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Jesse started playing with friends in home games during in his final year of high school in his home town of Martha's Vineyard. He moved on to on-line play once he was in college, making small deposits and learning the game. It was in his senior year that he stunned fellow students and himself by cashing in a big Sunday online tournament for over $100,000 - playing in the university's math lab because his own laptop was broken. He's had many peaks and valleys since he started playing, but Jesse says he needs those in his life, not just working a regular job in an office.
Though Sylvia says he can live on no money and be very happy, and in just making the final table has made a lot of money, he does recognize that it's not the kind of money to do whatever you want for the rest of your life. But still his gut instinct tells him that come 28th October, Jesse Sylvia will be 'going for the glory' and the WSOP Main Event bracelet.
Carl "The Dean" Sampson plays poker at www.pokerstars.co.uk
Sylvia says he's learned a lot from fellow final tablist Russell Thomas, whom he roomed with in 2010. Since that time, Thomas went on to a full time job as an actuary while Sylvia turned pro. They had many conversations during the first 10 days of the 2012 Main Event, about chip counts and hands played and a few jokes about the impossible dream of them both making the final table. But by the time they got to 10-handed they both just looked at each other, too speechless to do anything but shake their heads in wonder
.
Jesse started playing with friends in home games during in his final year of high school in his home town of Martha's Vineyard. He moved on to on-line play once he was in college, making small deposits and learning the game. It was in his senior year that he stunned fellow students and himself by cashing in a big Sunday online tournament for over $100,000 - playing in the university's math lab because his own laptop was broken. He's had many peaks and valleys since he started playing, but Jesse says he needs those in his life, not just working a regular job in an office.
Though Sylvia says he can live on no money and be very happy, and in just making the final table has made a lot of money, he does recognize that it's not the kind of money to do whatever you want for the rest of your life. But still his gut instinct tells him that come 28th October, Jesse Sylvia will be 'going for the glory' and the WSOP Main Event bracelet.
Carl "The Dean" Sampson plays poker at www.pokerstars.co.uk
