David Williams
Total Tournament Winnings $4,270,272
Reality Check
When it comes to the World Series of Poker Championship Event, everyone can recall the legends of poker that have taken the title of World Champion. What is lost in the sands of time, in many cases, are the runner up players, who came within a different card, an untimely bet, or a mistake from being the champion themselves.
Poker professional David Williams is one who has refused to be that "one hit wonder", turning his first shining moment into a career that has taken him into poker jungles.
Williams, who was raised in Dallas, Texas and now resides in Las Vegas, was an intelligent college student who was a champion in the intriguing card game of Magic: The Gathering.
David noted the similarities in strategy between poker and Magic and started to delve into poker tournaments, where he parlayed his ever growing skills into several smaller tournament successes. It wasn't until 2004 that the intense glow of the poker world shone upon him; Williams has never let that glow leave his side since then.
Achievements
David Anthony Williams has only been playing poker since 1997, but has already made a few millions doing so. He finished second in the 2004 World Series of Poker main event taking home $3.5 million for his efforts.
2006 has been the year that David Williams finally scored that major title. After a fourth place finish at the WPT Shooting Star event in March, David captured the first major H.O.R.S.E. tournament during the World Series of Poker Circuit stop at Caesars in Las Vegas, then moved back to the Rio to battle the best in the world.
The 37th renewal of the World Series of Poker was the crowning moment for David as he captured his first bracelet in Seven Card Stud and nearly took a second bracelet with a runner-up finish in Deuce to Seven lowball.
All totaled in his short career, Williams has cashed in thirty tournaments and has earned over $5 million, plus that elusive gold bracelet from the World Series of Poker.
Complex Style
David has a very complex style of play that makes it difficult to get a handle on what exactly he is doing at the tables. He can swing from a highly aggressive, chip grabbing style to a very tight, controlled style that masks his intentions.
These "gear changes", while important for any player to have, are more evident in Williams and perhaps serve to his better usage because of his timing.
One thing that cannot be questioned about his game, though, is that he is highly analytical and will not make a move unless he has considered all aspects of a hand.
Away from the Table
Away from the table, and perhaps because of his youth, he is highly popular with poker fans, especially younger ones. He is quick to smile and laugh and seems to truly enjoy the state of poker today. Visit the official site at http://www.davidwilliamspoker.com/ for further details.