A Year in the Life of a World Champion

Jerry Yang is a family man, a philanthropist, a poker player, and a world champion. While he is all of those things, if you were to ask him which of his many roles in life is the most important, he would answer that of a family man. Many people in the poker world agreed that when Yang won the World Series of Poker main event last year, it couldn't have happened to a nicer guy. Yang topped a field of 6,358 players to win $8,250,000 in prize money after originally winning his buy-in in a satellite tournament at Lake Elsinore Casino. He had just over $12,000 in career tournament winnings before the main event last year, and now he has more than $8 million and is near the top of the career tournament poker winnings list.

Immediately after his win, Yang promised to donate 10 percent of his winnings to three charities: Feed the Children, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and the Ronald McDonald House. He has backed up that promise by giving back during his year as the world champion, and it won't stop after that reign is over. He said after his win at the final table last year, "I know what it is to be poor, I know." Rising from poor and humble upbringing has instilled within Yang a will to give back, and as you will read here, he is honored and happy to do so.

Card Player caught up with Yang on the eve of his world championship defense at the WSOP, where one year ago his life changed forever.

Ryan Lucchesi: What is the largest way your life has changed in the past year?

Jerry Yang: The largest thing is that, as you know, my wife and I were trying to raise six kids and make ends meet. After I won, we were able to quit our jobs and spend more time with our kids. From a financial perspective, our life has changed for the better. Secondly, I am able to do a lot of things with charities that I was not able to do, so that's a great honor and privilege for me to be able to help other people.

RL: What do you think it means to be an ambassador for poker?

JY: As an ambassador, you need to help the poker community achieve some great goals so that everybody will benefit. I think poker rights should be protected, and that is something I would like to get into in the near future.

RL: Tell me about the charity work you have been involved with at different points of the year.

JY: I personally sponsored 10 trucks full of food, toys, and hygiene products for Feed the Children to distribute to the Long Beach area. Some of these people were homeless, and others were from low-income families. I used to be in that boat, so I know what it's like not to have gas in the car sometimes, or to try to decide whether to get food or medicine or toys for my kids at Christmas. I totally understand. To be able to give something back to the community and the country that has given me a second chance at freedom is a great privilege. Secondly, I donated $275,000 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and they sent me some photos of the kids who actually got the donation and had their wishes fulfilled. I donated another $275,000 to the Ronald McDonald House, and I look forward to doing more in 2009 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Ronald McDonald House, Feed the Children, and some children's hospitals in California.

RL: Why is it so important to you that you not only donate money but actively get involved with these charities and the people you help?

JY: That's my passion. In the last few months, I have toured some very, very struggling communities in America. I've met parents and their children who have no running water, no electricity; kids with no shoes. This is America. We shouldn't have that here. It reminds me of some of the situations I've been through, so it was very heartbreaking to see something like that.

RL: Do you still have plans to go to Laos and help out in your home country?

JY: Feed the Children and I have talked about it, and we are making plans to go back to Laos and Thailand to de-worm some of the children over there. Based on my conversations with medical doctors and the Feed the Children organization, in order to provide medicine, food, and proper nutrition, you first have to de-worm the kids. Otherwise, the medicine will do no good. That is something I'm looking forward to working with Larry Jones and the Feed the Children team on.

RL: You donated $30 to Feed the Children when you were a graduate student in college. You didn't have much to give then, but you still made the effort to donate what you could. Why do you think it is so important for people to give to charities even if they have only a little to give?

JY: You don't have to go overboard. Obviously, your family comes first, but whatever you can spare, spare a little. I believe a good deed is always a good deed, no matter how big or small your donatation. As long as you give from the heart, that is the most important thing. I truly believe that you are going to receive back tenfold of what you gave away.

RL: Do you think it was your childhood in Laos that instilled within you this personal desire to give back to those less fortunate than you?

JY: I was raised in Laos with no shoes. I think you have heard my story that we used to blow up a pig's bladder to play soccer with. I think those experiences in Laos and the refugee camp in Thailand made me the person I am today. I'm just really proud of this country and the opportunity to live here, and to be able to give back not only to some of the people here but also some of the people there is tremendous.

RL: You moved your family to a new community this year, from Southern California up north to Madera, California. What made you decide to do that? Was it a byproduct of the main-event win?

JY: I grew up in Fresno and went to high school there. From there, I went to Loma Linda University for graduate studies, and after I graduated, I found a job and started a family down there. We always have wanted to move back because my folks live there and most of my family lives there. I believe you should raise children around your family, and I have wanted to move for some time, but because of our financial situation, we weren't able to do it. So, after I won, we decided to move up there and reconnect with our family.

RL: I know your father didn't approve of poker when you won last year. Has his opinion of the game changed during your year as the world champion?

JY: Definitely. My father has been supportive. I consider him a poker ambassador right along with me now. Whenever we have conversations with relatives, he will brag to them that poker is a great game. I'm really happy that he is behind me and that all of my family members are behind me. It's great to have their support.

RL: How has the way that people approach you at the poker table changed in the last year?

JY: I'm the world champion, so it's a thrill for somebody to knock me out of a tournament. I don't blame them, because at the poker table, you have to play to win. I consider myself having a huge target on my back, and I know that they see that. So, I just have to adjust to the players I go against and hope for the best.

Jerry Yang Hosts a Number of Charity Tournaments

If you are interested in helping the charitable efforts of Jerry Yang, you can play in a number of upcoming charity poker tournaments he hosts that benefit an array of great causes:

Aug. 2, 2008 -- Gold Country Casino (Oroville, California); benefits wildfire victims and the fire department in Oroville
Aug. 9, 2008 -- Casino Marysville (Marysville, California); benefits earthquake victims in China
Aug. 23-24, 2008 -- Palm Beach Kennel Club (Palm Beach, Florida); benefits the Ronald McDonald House
Early 2009 (to be determined) -- Tachi Palace (Lemoore, California); benefits the Make-a-Wish Foundation