Jamie Gold biography
Jamie Gold was born Jamie M. Usher on August 25, 1969, in Kansas City, Missouri, and was raised in Paramus, New Jersey, after his mother remarried Dr. Robert Gold. He graduated from Paramus High School in 1987 and earned a degree from SUNY Albany before studying entertainment law at UCLA, building a career as a Hollywood talent agent and television producer who represented stars including Jimmy Fallon.
Gold began training seriously for poker in 2005 under the mentorship of legend Johnny Chan, and stunned the poker world the following year by outlasting a then-record 8,772 entrants to win the 2006 WSOP Main Event and its largest-ever first prize of $12,000,000. He has since dedicated significant time to charitable causes, raising over half a billion dollars for charity over the following decade.
Career summary
Hollywood talent agent who trained under Johnny Chan and won the largest first-place prize in WSOP Main Event history, taking home $12 million in 2006.
Jamie Gold poker winnings
| Year | Event | Place | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | WSOP Main Event | 1st | $12,000,000 |
| 2005 | Bicycle Casino Tournament | 1st | $54,225 |
| 2016 | WSOP Circuit Los Angeles Main Event | 2nd | $139,820 |
Verified live tournament earnings: $12,600,000+, plus 1 WSOP bracelet.
Jamie Gold playing style
An aggressive, unpredictable player known for constant table talk and psychological pressure, alternating between honest and deceptive information to unsettle opponents.
Cash games
No significant public record of high-stakes cash game play; primarily known for his single, historic tournament victory.
Business & sponsorships
Television producer and talent agent who represented celebrity clients including Jimmy Fallon; also involved in launching the Island Breeze casino ship venture in 2014.
Jamie Gold Net Worth
As of November 2026, Jamie Gold net worth estimates range from $8 million to $15 million.
Verified live tournament earnings account for $12.6M of prize money. Sponsorships, business ventures and cash games, covered above, make up the rest of the picture. Tournament prize money is not the same as profit: buy-ins, staking deals and taxes are not deducted, so all net worth figures are estimates based on public reporting.
Why Jamie matters
The talent agent turned poker legend whose $12 million Main Event win remains the largest first-place prize in WSOP history.
FAQ about Jamie Gold
How much did Jamie Gold win for his 2006 WSOP Main Event victory?
$12,000,000, which remains the largest first-place prize in WSOP Main Event history.
What did Jamie Gold do before becoming a professional poker player?
He worked as a Hollywood talent agent and television producer, representing celebrities including Jimmy Fallon.
How many WSOP bracelets does Jamie Gold have?
Jamie Gold has won 1 WSOP bracelet.