Chiu wins Seven Card Stud title, $145,520 at WSOP

David Chiu moved into elite company on Friday night, winning his fifth career World Series of Poker gold bracelet and $145,520 in the $2,500 Seven Card Stud event.

His victory took place at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas in one of the most stacked events on the schedule in terms of accomplishments and experience. Seven of the eight players at the final table had previously won gold bracelets – an almost unheard of number in the modern poker age.

Chiu defeated a formidable lineup that included Scott Seiver (runner-up), Freddie Ellis (third, who won the Seven-Card Stu Championship in 2009), Michael “The Grinder” Mizrachi (fourth, with three gold bracelets, two of which came in the Poker Players Championship), Frank Kassela (fifth, the 2010 WSOP Player of the Year), Gary Benson (sixth, the first Australian to win a gold bracelet, which happened in this event back in 1996), Matthew Ashton (seventh), who was making his third final table appearance of the summer, and bracelet winner Adam Friedman (eighth).

"Everybody here was a great player," said Chiu. "Like Freddie (Ellis). I hope I can play like him when I am his age (79). I enjoyed this final table a lot, with Michael (Mizrachi), Scott (Seiver), and the rest. The whole table was good. All professionals."

Chiu's victory moves him into a tie for career wins with some extraordinary names and legends. The current list of five-time gold bracelet winners now includes – David Chiu, Stu Ungar, Berry Johnston, Chris Ferguson, Daniel Negreanu, John Juanda, Allen Cunningham, Jeffrey Lisandro, Scotty Nguyen, Ted Forrest, and Gary “Bones” Berland.

Chiu understood the meaning of his victory which was made all the more satisfying by the way this tournament began three days earlier. There was special significance attached to this year's competition, as it was used as means to honor the late Los Angeles Lakers legend Dr. Jerry Buss, who owned the storied franchise, but still made time to come play this event every year at the WSOP (he once took third place in this very event). Chiu dedicated his win and the gold bracelet to Dr. Buss in his memory. He also noted that the late great sports owner had performed a number of kinds deeds for him in the past.

And so, Chiu's victory was a full-circle closure to a tournament that began with a special video message by NBA star Kobe Bryant, who started things off with the customary “Shuffle Up and Deal” announcement.

Chui's last gold bracelet win took place eight years ago, seemingly an eternity in the modern age of so many talented young players. He's amassed $3.3 million in WSOP earnings for his career and ranks in the top-10 in the number of caereer cashes.

At age 52, Chui is still playing poker at the highest level and shows no signs of slowing down. The question is – how many more gold bracelets are in Chui's future?

If nice guys always finish first, then David Chui has a very bright future, indeed.

The stud tourney drew 246 players. The top 32 finishers made the money. Notable players who finished in the money but did not make the final table included Mike Sexton (13th), Bill Chen (25th) and Marco Traniello (30th).

Ellis could have become the second-oldest winner of an open event in WSOP history had he won.

Tournament recap modified from a report by WSOP Media Director Nolan Dalla, used by permission.