Rewriting the Record Books

After six weeks of nonstop action, the 2006 World Series of Poker is now behind us. The record number of players it attracted and huge prize pools it generated continued to break record after record.

First, congratulations to Jamie Gold, the $12 million man and 2006 WSOP champion. Jamie pretty much dominated the massive 8,773-player field. He took over the chip lead on day four of the main event and never relinquished it. He continued to play aggressively and seemed to hit nearly every hand he played as he coasted to victory.

After Gold's victory, he said a large portion of his winnings would be used to help his father, who has ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), and support research to cure this disease.

This wasn't the first hint of philanthropy at this year's WSOP.

David Einhorn, the 18th-place main-event finisher, donated his entire $659,730 in winnings to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. Einhorn sits on the foundation's board and had planned to donate all of his winnings to the nonprofit organization right from the start of the tournament.

It is great to see poker players giving something back.

Second, there's no doubt that Allen Cunningham was my favorite to win the main event. He could be poker's most underrated superstar. Allen is ultra-solid, is a master at both tournament and cash-game play, and always seems to make the right decisions. At only 29, he could be the most successful young gun in all of poker.

Last year, Allen had a remarkable WSOP with five final tables and a bracelet. He followed up with another great performance at the 2006 WSOP. Not counting the main event, in which he picked up $3,628,513 for fourth place, he won nearly $700,000 and captured his fourth WSOP bracelet.

While things didn't seem to go his way at the final table, I guarantee that we'll see Allen in the winner's circle again soon.

Lastly, I would like to congratulate Phil Hellmuth for yet another excellent WSOP. With four final tables and his 10th bracelet, he continues to prove why he is one of poker's best.

In this issue, we bring you a recap of the 2006 main event, which was unlike any other.