Jerry Yang

While many great poker players' histories in the game span several decades (and several pages), Jerry Yang's poker profile is short but sweet. If you haven't heard his name before, then you must have missed the results of a pretty big tournament in 2007.On the other hand, if you're new to poker then maybe you can be excused, because Jerry Yang can only attest to two major tournament cashes.

Yang was born in Laos, though he spent most of his early childhood in Thailand. He moved to the United States with his family when he was only 11. Since then, he has overcome his life's early adversity by being constant, aggressive and dedicated in his personal and professional pursuits. Many of these same traits can be credited for his poker success.

Yang did not start playing poker until his late 30's. For most of his life, he had pursued a career in psychology. This too has certainly given Yang an advantage when reading his opponents. Yang acquired a Bachelor's degree and then a Master's degree in healthy psychology at Loma Linda University.

For many years Yang used his education in the fields of therapy and social work. He was a committed therapist, citizen, and family man. In 2007, Yang became something else — a professional poker player.

Prior to making his first appearance at the World Series of Poker in 2007, Yang had only four small cashes to his credit. He had only been playing poker for two years, and his experience was limited to middling stakes play at local California casinos. A fortuitous win at a Penchaga Resort and Casino satellite tournament sent him on his way to the WSOP. What happened there would rock the poker industry.

Yang knew that in order for him to stand a chance against his significantly more seasoned opponents he would have to make his own choices. He approached the No Limit Hold 'em tournament with a strategy that was strictly aggressive. His cut-throat betting style was backed entirely by his psychological evaluation of each opponent.

As soon as Yang perceived a potential weakness in one of the other players, he struck hard and fast. It worked. Not only did Yang make it to the final table of the Main Event, he was the last man to leave it. And he left it with a whopping $8,250,000 prize.

Since his historical win at the 2007 WSOP, Yang has been flying under the radar. He claimed one more major tournament cash in 2007 and none in 2008. While he returned to defend his title at the WSOP, Yang was eliminated in the second day of the Main Event competition. He continues to play cash games at his favorite California casinos and has also been rumored to engage in some online games.