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| Player Profile - Chris Ferguson |
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You know whch one he is. Chris Ferguson is known as 'Jesus' on the circuit, but to my eye he's always had more of a gunslinger thing going on - the long hair, the Bad Cowboy hat, the dark glasses ( so much a trademark that he is now actually sponsored by a sunglasses company - like the man needs any more money). It's kind of pleasing that among the big boys of poker, at least one of them really looks the part. Although New Testament hero and Wild West bad boy both seem at odds with his favourite hobby, which is apparently swing dancing. It just goes to show...
Born in Los Angeles in 1963, Chris spent a frightening amount of time at UCLA. He eventually earned a PhD in computer science, and celebrated winning his new title of 'Doctor' by winning his first major poker title in the 2000 World Series No-Limit Hold 'Em event. Clearly all that study was good for his game - he had been steadily improving year on year. His first big tournament was the World Series main event in 1996. He only played it because he won a satellite in - he refused to play above his bankroll by buying straight in.
In the following three years he made it into the money in various WSOP events 12 times, but never placed higher than 4th until his 2000 win. Since that first gulp from poker's Holy Grail, Jesus has developed a real taste for the big money, also winning coveted bracelets in the 2000 WSOP 7-Card Stud event, the 2001 Omaha Hi-Lo event, the 2003 Limit Hold 'Em/7-Card Stud event and the 2003 Omaha Hi-lo Event.
In less than a decade of professional level play, Chris Ferguson has placed in the World Series an astonishing 30 times, and has won a truly terrifying number of other big tournaments. With that many wins, probably even he doesn't know exactly how much cash he's made, but $4 million would be a conservative estimate and he shows no sign of slowing down. Already one of the poker circuit's most recognisable and friendly figures - he is always pleased to oblige his many fans with autographs and photo opportunities - Jesus will most likely turn out to be one of the game's all-time great players. Looks like someone up there likes him a lot.
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