Jerry Yang biography
Jerry Yang was born in Laos in 1967 and is of Hmong heritage. After the communist takeover of Laos in the 1970s his family fled to Thailand and spent four years in a refugee camp, where a brother and a sister died, before settling in the United States. He earned a master's degree in health psychology from Loma Linda University and worked as a psychotherapist and social worker in California.
Yang only took up poker in 2005. Two years later the amateur from Temecula won a $225 satellite at the Pechanga Resort and Casino and used it to enter the 2007 World Series of Poker Main Event, a field of 6,358 players. He started the final table eighth of nine in chips, eliminated seven of his eight opponents and beat Tuan Lam heads-up to win $8,250,000 and the bracelet. Before the final he pledged 10% of his winnings to charities including Make-A-Wish, Feed the Children and the Ronald McDonald House.
Known as "The Shadow", Yang has more than $8.4 million in live tournament earnings, nearly all of it from that one win.
Career summary
A Hmong refugee turned psychotherapist, Jerry Yang qualified through a $225 satellite and won the 2007 WSOP Main Event for $8,250,000.
Jerry Yang poker winnings
| Year | Event | Place | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | WSOP Main Event | 1st | $8,250,000 |
Verified live tournament earnings: $8,400,000+, plus 1 WSOP bracelet.
Jerry Yang playing style
Yang played the 2007 final table with fearless aggression, attacking with the chip lead and knocking out seven of the eight other finalists.
Business & sponsorships
Former psychotherapist and social worker with a master's degree in health psychology.
Why Jerry matters
Jerry Yang went from a refugee camp in Thailand to the 2007 World Series of Poker Main Event title, which he won after qualifying through a $225 satellite.
FAQ about Jerry Yang
How did Jerry Yang get into the 2007 Main Event?
He won a $225 satellite at the Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, California.
How much did Jerry Yang win in the Main Event?
$8,250,000, after beating Tuan Lam heads-up in a field of 6,358 players.
What did Jerry Yang do before poker?
He holds a master's degree in health psychology and worked as a psychotherapist and social worker.
How many WSOP bracelets does Jerry Yang have?
Jerry Yang has won 1 WSOP bracelet.
