Paul J. Wasicka is a professional poker player, based in Las Vegas, who was the runner-up at the 2006 World Series of Poker Main Event and the winner of the 2007 NBC National Heads-Up Poker Championship.
Wasicka started playing poker in 2004 when he attended an underground tournament in Denver, Colorado. He formerly worked as a bartender and restaurant manager before shifting over to poker. Wasicka finished as runner-up to Jamie Gold in the 2006 World Series of Poker Main Event, winning over $6,000,000.
Wasicka's tournament accomplishments since that World Series of Poker finish include winning the 2007 NBC National Heads-Up Poker Championship by defeating Eli Elezra, Joe Hachem, T.J. Cloutier, Nam Le, Shannon Elizabeth, and finally Chad Brown in the finals 2-0. For the win he earned $500,000. He also made a World Poker Tour final table at the Commerce Casino's LA Poker Classic, finishing fourth and taking home $455,615.
At the World Poker Tour (WPT) $9,900 No Limit Hold'em held at the 2007 L.A. Poker Classic, Wasicka made the final table which also included poker players J. C. Tran and Eric Hershler, he finished in fourth place, earning $455,615. Wasicka has also cashed in three other WPT Championship events and has made a total of over $700,000 from WPT events alone.
At the 2007 Aussie Millions A$10,000 Main Event, Wasicka just missed making the final table coming in 12th and earning A$120,000 ($95,434). The event was won by fellow professional poker player Gus Hansen.
With thanks to Wikipedia