Jerry Yang, not to be confused with the co-founder of Yahoo, is a newer face in the world of poker. Having started his poker career only a handful of years ago, Yang managed to stun the world by winning his first time around in the World Series of Poker Main Event 2007.
Yang was born in Laos in 1968. His family escaped the grip of the newly seated communist party leaders in the 1970’s and spent 4 years in a refugee camp in Thailand before coming to the US and settling in California.
Yang went to Loma Linda University and earned a Masters degree in Psychology and is currently working as a Psychotherapist and social worker. He still considers this to be his true calling and rates poker playing as a close second.
Following some small time play leading up to his tournament win, Yang perfected his talent for reading people, a practice he learned from treating patients.
In 2005 Yang took to the tables, playing in small tournaments and cash games around California. He managed to cash out several times in cash games before winning his seat to the 2007 World Series in a $225 satellite game
playing online poker.
The 2007 World Series was considered brutal even by the most seasoned players. Since the inception of the satellite games that allowed entrance to anyone, the field of players has become far more diverse and stronger players are being eliminated early in the goings when people like Yang are at the tables.
Some people call him the second Chris Moneymaker (the first internet
qualifier to take down the main event, beating
Sammy Farha heads-up and
starting what we call the "poker boom").
Drawing from his psychology skills Yang will study players and easily learn their weaknesses. Playing a slow game is something that Yang has been known for. Not being a fast player is something that tends to throw many of the other opponents that he has faced off balance.
Beating out hundreds of other players, Yang made it to the final table for the 2007 World Series, sitting down in 8th place in chip holdings. This did not last long though as Yang quickly pulled some large pots and held the high chip count. He never let the chip count go and played the entire 12 hour final table.
Battling the final opponent for several hours, Yang took the high honors
playing heads-up poker against Tuan Lam with a nine high straight.
The 2007 World Series win brought his total earnings to over $8 million for the time he had been playing poker. Before he took to the tournament Yang pledged 10% of his poker winnings to three charities. These included
Make a Wish Foundation,
Feed the Children and
Ronald Mcdonald House.
Yang entered the 2008 World Series of Poker and was eliminated on the second day. Most believe that they have not seen the last of Jerry Yang though. His style and skill at the tables means he will be back and able to claim more of the top prizes.
Yang is married with six children and lives in Madera, California.
