Poker Profiles: Paul Wasicka

Most of the top ranking money players nowadays are new guys who have just discovered a future in Poker. Paul Wasicka, a Texas-born Poker professional is one of them.

Born on February 17, 1981 in Dallas, Paul was introduced to competition early in his life, playing soccer and innocent games of Backgammon and Chess. His competitive spirit was honed further with the Wasickas' move to Boulder, Colorado. There, he joined every sport his body can take -- from skiing to running cross country to wrestling to playing volleyball. On a ski trip to Vancouver, Canada, Paul and his friends decided to have a good time at a nearby casino. That was his first taste of gambling and turning his $10 to $17,000 was not bad an introduction. All of Paul's winnings were from the Blackjack table but soon enough, the challenge of the game came to him as too weak so he turned to Poker.

Poker gave Paul the action that he wants. It kept him interested because it continuously challenges him to perform better with every game. With the high price at stake (coming in millions and gold bracelets, of course), Paul cannot take a chance to rank lower than first. However, his entry to the Poker world in 2004 through underground and online tournaments did not gave him as much as he needed to win a World Series of Poker Main Event. In 2006, Paul placed second best to Jamie Gold, pocketing a total of $6 million in cash prize. Not bad but certainly not good for someone who is always targeting for the top spot. Interestingly, the WSOP stint was preceeded by a successful appearance at the World Poker Tour. Apparently, Paul's below the target successes, which earned him millions nevertheless, were too much for him to take. At one point, he even thought that he is an accomplished Poker professional. He lost his competitiveness at the Poker table. As a result, he consistently found himself at the low end.

Motivation is all that Paul needed to get back in shape and he did got that and more as he makes an entry to the Aussie Millions, which was held in January 2007. His 12th placer win in Australia was immediately followed up by a fourth place finish at the WPT L.A. Poker Classic. After WPT, he conquered the National Heads-Up Poker Championship and beat all the other guys in attendance. Certainly, Paul has gotten his Poker drive back. This means that we will see more of him circling the gambling circuit with a renewed confidence and determination to be the best among the rest!