| Jerry Yang | |
|---|---|
Jerry Yang at the 2008 World Series of Poker |
|
| Nickname(s) | The Shadow[1] |
| Hometown | Temecula, California |
| World Series of Poker | |
| Bracelet(s) | 1 |
| Money finish(es) | 4 |
| Highest ITM Main Event finish |
Winner, 2007 |
| Information accurate as of 2009-07-11. | |
Xao "Jerry" Yang (simplified Chinese: 杨係; traditional Chinese: 楊係; pinyin: Yáng Xì; born 1967) is an ethnic Hmong poker player from Temecula, California and the 2007 World Series of Poker Main Event champion.
Yang started playing poker in 2005.[2] An amateur player at the time, Yang entered the 2007 World Series of Poker after winning a $225 satellite at the Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula.[3] Prior to the World Series, he had four cashes in local California events.[4] At the final table, Yang went from starting eighth in chips to holding a big chip lead that he never relinquished. The process of accumulating this chip lead involved Yang knocking out seven of the eight other players at the final table.
Heads-up against Tuan Lam, he won the title with 8♣ 8♦ against Lam's A♦ Q♦ when he hit a nine-high straight on the river after Lam had caught a queen on the flop on a board of 5♠ Q♣ 9♣ 7♦ 6♥. After a 12-hour final table, Yang had won $8,250,000 for the victory. As of 2009, the majority of his live tournament winnings, $8,263,393, have come from his win at the 2007 main event.[5]
Yang summarized his tournament strategy: "I study my opponents very carefully, and when I sensed something, when I sensed some weakness, I took a chance. Even if I had nothing, I decided to raise, reraise, push all-in or make a call....The only way that I could win this tournament was by being aggressive from the very beginning and that’s exactly what I did. And thank God I was also able to pick up some good cards at the same time."[2] Once Yang was guaranteed a share of the prize money he pledged to donate 10% percent of his winnings to three charities (the Make-a-Wish Foundation, Feed The Children, and the Ronald McDonald House),[2] as well as his alma mater, Loma Linda University.[6]
Yang, an ethnic Hmong, was born in Laos. When the communists took over in the 1970s, his family escaped to Thailand where they spent four years in a refugee camp. While living in the camp, a brother and sister of his died.
Yang currently lives in Madera, California. Yang holds a master's degree in health psychology from Loma Linda University and worked as a psychotherapist and social worker.[7][8]
He is married and has six children.[3]
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