Friday, August 11, 2006

When Richard Lee went on record as saying he didn't care about the 2006
World Series of Poker Main Event prize money because he already had enough,
many people didn't know what to think about the well-spoken man from Texas.
The question on everyone's mind was how could anyone say $12 million isn't
life-changing money? The comment put many people off, but the more fans and
media members found out about the 55-year old investor surrounded by a
beautiful supportive family, the more they began to change their minds.
Words that once rubbed people the wrong way eventually started to sound more
and more like genuine honesty. Lee has the money and he's willing to admit
it. Most of the professionals care little for the money so why can't a
wealthy amateur? "I've been blessed by the good Lord to have done real well
financially," Lee said. "Sure the $12 million would have been great. But I'm
more interested in winning a championship for my city, my family, and the
people who have supported me. I feel like I let them all down." When he
uttered that last statement in his final press conference, family and media
alike informed the would-be-champion that he was a winner in their hearts.
Here was a guy who truly wanted to win something for the sheer sport of it -
a rarity in the poker. It was refreshing in a way, the money didn't matter.

"The bracelet is just a symbol," Lee said. "I'm not a real big jewelry guy.
I wear a watch and a wedding ring and that's about it. I care more about the
bracelet because it's a symbol that you are the World Champion."

Lee continually proved he didn't care about the money in the days leading up
to final table. Approached by several online poker rooms seeking ways to get
their merchandise on anyone who would appear on television, Lee told them
no.

His family was also approached. His beautiful wife and daughters were
offered thousands of dollars wear advertisements. Again, Lee said no,
sending his girls to the spa for a full day of beauty treatment rather than
make them billboards.

"I'm a real funny person," Lee said. "They offered me money to wear their
t-shirt or their ball cap. But I made a decision. I'm 55-years old. I've
lived in the same city for 54 of those years. I told myself, if I was lucky
enough to make the final two or three tables, the only thing I'll endorse is
God, my family, and the great city of San Antonio."

Lee will not get the chance to go home with the title of champion, but
considering the coverage he's getting in his hometown newspapers and the
slew of friends supporting him, he will go home a champion in the hearts of
his fellow Texans.

Lee is a gambler at the poker table, something he attributes to his Texas
blood. His willingness to get involved in pots gave him the edge he needed
to plow through a field of 8,773 Main Event participants. At one point at
the final table, he built his chip stack up to more than $20 million, good
enough for a solid second place.

His play amongst the final nine was solid. He won a bunch of little pots
without showing a hand; something radio commentator and professional poker
player Daniel Negreanu said was the key to being successful at a final
table.

On his final hand, the gambler finally broke through. Lee came over the top
of a sizable Jamie Gold raise and paid the ultimate price. His pockets Jacks
were dominated by Gold's pocket Queens. When asked why he risked it all on a
single pair pre-flop, Lee said he was tired of seeing Gold bully the table.
Plus, he came to win.

"Jamie (Gold) was raising a lot of pots," Lee said. "I've been watching him
play for three days now and the cards have been running all over him. I
didn't think he had a giant hand, maybe A-k or pocket Tens. I made a
decision to win the pot right there. When you're gambling at this level
you're not going to get a million opportunities so when you think you have
one, I think you need to go for it."

In the end, the great gambler simply picked the wrong pot against the wrong
man. Lee wasn't able to win the 2006 Main Event, but by the end of his run
of the WSOP, he had won the hearts of those who watched him play.