Poker finalists trying to take out Hollywood vet who represented stars

In a game that gave its name to the expression "poker face", usually framed by sunglasses, a baseball cap or a cowboy hat, Jamie Gold is open-faced and gabby and, thus far at the World Series of Poker's Main Event, incredibly successful.

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Gold, 36, of Malibu, Calif., a former agent who counts future stars Felicity Huffman of Desperate Housewives and James Gandolfini of The Sopranos among his former clients, enters today's final, nine-player table at the World Series' No-Limit Texas Hold'em poker as the chip count leader. That makes him the mathematical favorite to win the $12 million first prize.

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Ulster poker ace walks away with $1,154,527

An Ulster poker star has scooped more than $1m by playing his cards right in the world's toughest poker competition. John Magill, from Co Antrim, has now bowed out of the World Series of Poker Tournament in Las Vegas, picking up a whopping $1,154,527 in prize money.

The Ballymena man finished in an impressive 12th place, just short of the final table and the chance of winning $12m, the richest prize in poker history. John battled through a field of 8,773 poker players to get to the high rank and was the sole remaining representative of the UK and Ireland in the tournament. At one stage, a recount of his stack revealed he had miscounted it and actually had $1m more than he thought.

Florida State student walks away a millionaire

Florida State University student Leif Force Jr. will be returning to Tallahassee as a rich man after placing 11th in the 37th annual World Series of Poker tournament in Las Vegas. His $10,000 buy-in and tight game earned him $1.154 million in the largest live poker event that's ever been held anywhere.

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To make it past the first day is a big deal, he said. To make it to 11th place is almost beyond words. Force was up against 8,773 players, all vying for a portion of the $82 million pot. The winning hand today will get $12 million. Its an awesome job, Force said. I couldnt find one thats better.

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