SHE WON IT! SARAH PHAM IS THE FIRST WOMAN TO WIN A USOP MAIN EVENT TITLE
So, I wrote about Thi Minh Hong Pham aka Sarah Pham in a previous post. In that post, I told the story of how I met her, how kind she was and how she floored me with that one hand.
Now, I write about her because the damn lady made history by being the first woman to ever win a USOP Main Event. Not only that, this is her second Main Event championship title this year. Earlier in January, she won the Main Event of the UK Poker Championships - by GG Poker in London. This time, she did it in Vietnam. And this time, I was so fortunate to have witnessed it.
Now, I write about her because the damn lady made history by being the first woman to ever win a USOP Main Event. Not only that, this is her second Main Event championship title this year. Earlier in January, she won the Main Event of the UK Poker Championships - by GG Poker in London. This time, she did it in Vietnam. And this time, I was so fortunate to have witnessed it.
I cheered for her, obviously, because I consider her a friend and if I had to bet on anyone in poker, I'd put money on her. She has a great head for the game and an even bigger heart and passion. Back when she started to consider poker a career, she confessed that it wasn't something that her parents were too happy about. I mean, a woman gambling - just not the kind of career Asian parents consider or value. But it was her passion and they've embraced it.
Her mom got to see her in action during the USOP Grand Finale Hai Phong, which happened to be in her hometown. Yes, she is from Hai Phong. She made final table then at the Madness Kickoff and placed 5th, then came 12th in the Main Event. More than a year later, Sarah made her way back to Ha Long Bay (just a 30-minute drive from Ha Long Bay) and cashed earlier in the series - 50th in the Madness Kickoff, and 48th in the Championship Event - joining the multi-day featured events. While her earlier stints weren't up there in terms of the results she expected for herself, she just pressed on. I mean, all you have to do is keep showing up. And in this Main Event, she took it all the way to the title. And what's even more heartwarming was that she got to share that moment with her parents and her family and friends there.
From getting them to understand her career choice, the sport, the way it isn't just gambling and for them to be with her when she raised that trophy - that was worth more than the USD 235,105 first place prize. And that I deeply recognized and was so happy to witness it for her and for her family.
Her mom got to see her in action during the USOP Grand Finale Hai Phong, which happened to be in her hometown. Yes, she is from Hai Phong. She made final table then at the Madness Kickoff and placed 5th, then came 12th in the Main Event. More than a year later, Sarah made her way back to Ha Long Bay (just a 30-minute drive from Ha Long Bay) and cashed earlier in the series - 50th in the Madness Kickoff, and 48th in the Championship Event - joining the multi-day featured events. While her earlier stints weren't up there in terms of the results she expected for herself, she just pressed on. I mean, all you have to do is keep showing up. And in this Main Event, she took it all the way to the title. And what's even more heartwarming was that she got to share that moment with her parents and her family and friends there.
From getting them to understand her career choice, the sport, the way it isn't just gambling and for them to be with her when she raised that trophy - that was worth more than the USD 235,105 first place prize. And that I deeply recognized and was so happy to witness it for her and for her family.
My dear friend, congratulations on your journey. I hope I'm also there when you take down Triton. And thank you for the watermelon juice. Happy to be your lucky charm. LOL. Imagine, you got saved twice by jacks in this tournament. That's two Js! What's my name? Hahahahaha
Enjoy your moment. Get home safely to your husband and your baby. Celebrate life well. And thank you for your kindness and friendship.
I did the live coverage for Somuchpoker along with Derrick Elomina. You can read all of the Main Event coverage and other live updates at their site.
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