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Player Profile: Chris Ferguson

Chris Ferguson has enjoyed playing poker since the age of ten. And even while attending UCLA where he earned a Ph.D. in computer science, he continued to play poker for play money on internet chat rooms, as he pursued his desire to hone his poker- playing skills.

Highly intelligent, and possessed of an inquisitive and analytical mentality, Ferguson was born on April 11, 1963 in Los Angeles, California to parents who both have doctorate degrees in mathematics. Thomas Ferguson, Chris' father, teaches game theory at UCLA. In game theory players are taught to utilize various actions designed to maximize returns. Obviously such a theory would be extremely helpful to a poker player, and undoubtedly these lessons were passed on to son, Chris.

Chris' combination of intelligent thinking and a natural affinity and talent for poker has resulted in a successful career for Ferguson in the world of professional tournament poker.

Chris started his tournament play in his native state of California in 1994, and became a World Series of Poker competitor the following year. Five years later, Chris won the main event at the 2000 World Series of Poker, defeating T.J. Cloutier, and taking home $1.5 million in prize money.As of 2006, Chris has earned more than $5,600,000 in live tournament play.

All told, Chris Ferguson was won five World Series of Poker Tournament bracelets, with forty-five in-the-money finishes, and one main event win (2000).

Chris has nine in-the-money finishes in World Poker Tour competition and reached the final table once. His World Series of Poker bracelets were won during the following tournaments:

• 2000- $2500 Seven Card Stud – $151,000

• 2000- $10,000 No Limit Hold ‘em World Championship – $1,500,000

• 2001- $1,500 Omaha Hi-Lo Split 8 or Better – $164,735

• 2003- $2,000 Omaha Hi-Lo Split 8 or Better – $123,680

• 2003- $2,000 ½ Limit Hold ‘em - ½ Seven Card Stud – $66,220

Chris was runner-up to Phil Hellmuth Jr. in the 2005 National Heads-Up Poker Championship, and was once again in the final in 2006, but finished behind Ted Forrest

You can't help but notice Chris Ferguson when he enters a tournament locale. He is tall and slender, with a dark beard and long dark hair cascading down below the shoulders. Top that off with a dark Stetson and trailing duster and you are looking at a figure out of an old-fashioned Wild West movie. However, his fellow competitors have taken more notice of his tall slimness and long dark hair, and have nicknamed him "Jesus."

Chris is currently single and living in Pacific Palisades, California.

About the Author

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Kenneth Bateman writes numerous articles on the subject of poker and its players. To read more player profiles or to play poker from XL Poker.com.

Black Trademark Poker Polo Shirt Critical Overview

Last year my son bought me this Black Trademark Poker Polo Shirt after he finished some online poker tournament.  For months I was scratching my head thinking, "I don't even play poker" and until recently I wasn't really that intrigued by it.  Now listen, I would never tell him that, but he swore up and down when he gave it to me that I would need it someday.  The day finally came over the summer and it was definitely a new experience I will never forget.

My son's name is Barry and he's been playing online poker ever since he began his Freshman year of college.  While you may be sitting their thinking, this is not the type of extra curricular activities he should have been involved in while in school, we already went through that conversation.  However, he is majoring in mathematics and has become a real life "Rain Man" if you know what I mean.

His strategic play is one I always enjoy watching because it reminds of chess, which is the game I love.  In fact, when Barry first got me the Black Trademark Poker Polo Shirt I asked him why there wasn't any rooks on these cool Play Poker Clothes (my favorite pieces to play with during a chess game).  We both just laughed about it and that was the end of the conversation.  The best news that night wasn't the shirt, but that my son would soon be graduating college with a job already lined up.

My wife and I couldn't be more ecstatic about what he told us and I literally jumped right into my Black Trademark Poker Polo Shirt shortly thereafter.  Then we all went silent when he said he would be taking a job in Las Vegas over the summer.  From what he explained it was a temporary thing, but everything he learned in school was going to be needed out there for a short period of time.  

Once we got over all the initial thought that we would soon be losing our son, he told us that he would be back when it was finished and look for something closer.  All I can say is that calmed the mood, even though in the back of my mind I knew he was almost out the door already.  Nonetheless time kept moving and eventually we were about two weeks away from his departure when he asked what I had done with the Black Trademark Poker Polo Shirt.

I told him I stashed this Play Poker Clothing away as a memento and wanted to only wear it on special occasions.  Then he handed my Kathy and I a gift and said, "Open it up.  I got you something before the trip."  We had to have the most dumbfounded look on our faces when we opened it and found two tickets to Las Vegas with a card attached to it.  The card read, "Pops, it's time to bring out that Black Trademark Poker Polo Shirt because I won a seat at the WSOP. It was the best thing I learned in school."

About the Author

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