Dennis Phillips is an account manager for a commercial trucking company who lives in the suburban town of Cottage Hills, Illinois, but he calls St. Louis, Missouri, his home. That, in fact, is where he won a World Series of Poker satellite at a Harrah's casino that got him into the 2008 main event.
He became one of the November Nine and went into the final table as chip leader. Phillips finished in third place for more than $4.5 million. Prior to this, his only major-tournament cash was for $2,368.