Five Worst WSOP Main Event Champions in History
Sometimes a person wins the WSOP Main Event on sheer luck. They might have a run of cards that comes once in a lifetime. Everyone who wins the Main Event is going to need to get lucky, but some of the winners relied almost exclusively on luck. Here is a list of the top five worst Main Event champs ever.
Robert Varkonyi is considered one of the biggest luckboxes in WSOP Main Event history.
Robert Varkonyi
Varkonyi seems to get on many poker players nerves. He did not have the grandiosity of some of the other amateurs, but nevertheless he makes the list. During his Main Event run his play was considered so bad that commentator Phil Hellmuth declared that he would shave his head if Varkonyi won. The next year, Varkonyi went out on Day 1 of the Main Event and former two-time champion Doyle Brunson even commented on how fortunate Varkonyi was to have won the prior year based on what he saw of his play.
Varkonyi was an Investment Banker before turning to poker full time. Since his Main Event win he has had some decent success but nothing to match his first time out.
Joe Cada
Joe Cada got lucky, very lucky. He was also a good player. Unlike some of the people on this list, Cada has made a lot of money in online tournaments. It is his quiet demeanor and lack of charisma that strikes some the wrong way.
There were many in the poker world praying that Darvin Moon would take the title. Moon seemed to be another Moneymaker figure who might bring in a whole new demographic. Cada was just another Internet kid shipping his stack light and getting lucky.
Jamie Gold
Jamie Gold is certainly recognized as one of the more popular figures. His could be said to be notorious. His “top-top” comments, his questionable table talk, and his insane run of cards all make people talk.
Unfortunately, Gold may be remembered more for failing to honor his deal with a backer after the Main Event than for the good he done after winning.
Gold might actually be said to be good for the game. He appeared on many cash games and never nitted it up. In addition, he has used his celebrity to benefit many charities with charity and celebrity poker tournaments. He is a lively and talkative person, even if he was not a world-class player.
Jerry Yang
Jerry Yang makes most peoples list of the worst Main Event champs. His overbearing personality is almost entirely the reason. He strutted around the stage like a demented preacher calling on God to assist him with his poker win. This struck some as offense and others as ridiculous.
Yang almost became a caricature of himself during the final stages of the event. His constant talk about charity, religion, and God’s personal interest in his poker success rubbed many the wrong way. In addition, Yang’s failure to really embrace the role of poker ambassador made him disliked by those in poker. While many found him an inspiration due to his morals and charity, many in the poker world were disappointed in his win.
Russ Hamilton
Hamilton is, without a doubt, the worst Main Event champ. This has everything to do with his association with Ultimate Bet. While some players might not have helped the game, Hamilton seriously hurt it.
Not only did he outright steal money from players via the super using scandal, he caused irreparable damage to the image of online poker in the non-playing population. Hamilton is not only the worst Main Event champ, but is also considered one of the worst people in the entire poker scene. His Main Event banner is no longer displayed during the WSOP.
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