Pham "The Dragon" is 2007 Player of the Year

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PHAM IS 2007 POKER PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Event 8 of the Five Diamond World Poker Classic this month clinches the title

Poker pro David "The Dragon" Pham is the 2007 Player of the Year, overtaking all opposition by taking down Event 8 of the Five Diamond World Poker Classic this month at the Bellagio in Las Vegas for $279 000.

This is the second time Pham has reeled in the title and respect of the professional players, having previously achieved the honour in 2000. He joins Men Nguyen, who has four wins, and T.J. Cloutier, who has two wins, as repeat Player of the Year poker champs.

Pham became the points leader in the CardPlayer Player of the Year race in August and remained in first place for the rest of the 2007. His closest competition was J.C. Tran, but the latter was still 814 points short at the end of the year.

Pham's winnings in monetary terms add up to 18 cashes in 2007 and making final tables in 11 major events. He was victorious in four events, including the $5 000 buy-in heads-up event at the Mirage Poker Showdown. In all, his 2007 earenings totalled $1.8 million.

In order of achievement, the top five players for 2007 are:

David Pham
J.C. Tran
Jonathan Little
Scott Clements
William Edler