Thursday, June 22, 2006

After just seven weeks of understudy with one of poker's most successful
tournament players, Brian Fidler of Derby, Connecticut, a member of the
FullContactPoker.com community, finished second late last night at the 2006
World Series of Poker (WSOP) Circuit Event in Lake Tahoe. In the days
leading up to the Lake Tahoe event, Fidler flew to Las Vegas and spent
several days with Negreanu formulating a strategy. During the final table,
Negreanu sat in the front row and provided Fidler with suggestions during
breaks in the action. Fidler, who had the chip lead at several points during
the final table, ultimately got knocked out after his opponent, Clint
Baskin, made a straight on the final hand. Fidler, who played against
several more experienced players throughout the entire tournament, took
second place for $206,800.

"Brian's composure and self-confidence throughout this tournament has been
unbelievable," explained Daniel Negreanu, a three-time WSOP gold-bracelet
winner. "His progress over the last seven weeks since becoming my protégé
shows that he has the tools to become a top player on the professional
tour."

"This has truly been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," exclaimed Fidler,
shortly after taking the largest pot in his young career. "How many players
in the world get to learn from one of the game's greatest competitors?
Thanks to Daniel and Full Contact Poker, I just won over $200,000."

Negreanu, one of the most successful and well-respected players in the game
today, has been giving Fidler his invaluable expertise since he became his
protégé seven weeks ago. Fidler, who won the opportunity to be Negreanu's
protégé by being a member of the www.fullcontactpoker.com community, just
finished playing in his second of four professional $10,000 buy-in
tournaments under Negreanu and is currently living life like a poker pro.