The rancher from McQueeney, Texas, took down $101,975 and a gold bracelet for his efforts in Event 30 $1,500 2-7 Draw Lowball. Wright beat a field of 285 players to win poker’s ultimate prize.
“I was pretty well intimidated at every table I played in this event,” said Wright.
Wright surprised many spectators by not only by outlasting all the big-name pros but also by taking control three-handed when he was sandwiched between pros Cantu and Andrew Lichtenberger.
After Lichtenberger busted, he then waged a no-holds-barred heads-up war against Cantu.
“I played the trapping game,” he said. “Every time he would get out of line I would snap him off.”
Wright is not exactly a stranger to the WSOP, however, and has been playing the prestigious poker series for 20 years now.
Like his father and grandfather, Wright has been playing poker for most of his adult life. He started playing when he was just 22 years old.
“In Texas, poker is not legal so we have lots of [underground] games we play, especially in the San Antonio area,” he said. “I enjoy some of those games.”
Wright is very well known in the poker world for his generous spirit and backed Kathy Liebert when she won $1 million in the Party Poker Million back in 2002.
“I don’t know how to say no to friends,” he said. “That’s tough.”
He’s already decided the majority of his winnings will go to the Sudan in Africa.
“We have a missionary friend there,” he said. “The money will sponsor a couple houses and a water well.”
A family man, Wright has two daughters and a granddaughter. Most of his family was on hand to cheer him on to victory.
“This is a beautiful Father’s Day,” said Wright.
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