News / nono / 09 June 2008 / Leave a comment

The winner was Farzad "Freddy" Rouhani, from Germantown, MD. He is a 44-year-old professional poker player.

Rouhani was born in Iran. He arrived in the U.S. in 1985 to attend college. In fact, he planned to attend medical school. "I came to the U.S. 23 years ago to become a doctor," Rouhani said in a post-tournament interview. "But instead, I became a pro poker player. Go figure."

Rouhani plays mostly in Atlantic City. He once frequented local poker games in the suburban Washington, DC area, where he now lives. But the stakes proved too low for the more serious Rouhani.

Winning a WSOP gold bracelet obviously meant something special to the new champion. While playing, Rouhani wore another bracelet on his left wrist - which was presented to him for winning a tournament at the Jack Binion World Poker Open back in 2003. "I must admit that I really do need the money," Rouhani said. "Everyone needs the money. But this gold bracelet to me means a whole lot more. It is the thing that everyone in poker dreams of."

Rouhani earned a well-deserved victory. He collected $232,911 for first place. He also earned his first WSOP gold bracelet. Rouhani came very close to winning a few years ago when he took second place in a No-Limit Hold'em event. To date, Rouhani now has eight WSOP cashes, two final table appearances, and more than $800,000 in career winnings at the WSOP.