Steven Dannenmann's Passion for High-Stakes Poker
Steven Dannenmann probably knows what beginner's luck truly means because he himself experienced it the first time he ever participated in a World Series of Poker tournament.
Born in Baltimore, Maryland on August 15, 1966, Steven Dannenmann has always been knowledgeable of the game of poker. However, it was only in 2005 when he showed to the world that he really did have poker skills. When this professional poker player participated in the 2005 World Series of Poker, it was his very first time to compete against poker giants and it was the first time he was seen at the poker table. The audience, as well as his opponents, did not expect him to win because he was a beginner. But he left everyone in awe as he finished second place in the main event, losing to professional poker player Joe Hachem and defeating the likes of Mike Matusow and Russ Hamilton. Well, if that could be called beginner's luck, then Steven Dannenmann is one heck of a lucky guy.
Well, Steven Dannenmann certainly knew how to share his blessings. In order to join the 2005 World Series of Poker tournament, he and his friend Jerry Ditzel shared the entry of US$10,000, which they divided equally. When he won second place, he also divided his cash prize of US$4,250,000 equally and gave half of it to Ditzel.
Such victory allowed Steven Dannenmann to qualify for the Tournament of Champions of the World Series of Poker in 2005. He only placed fifth but still, he reached the final table and won US$100,000. One of the professional poker players he defeated was Phil Hellmuth Jr.
Steven Dannenmann works as a certified public account, mortgage banker and financial advisor in his own company in Severn, Maryland, where he currently resides. This professional poker player believes that reading poker books is one of the important factors that have molded him to become one of the best professional poker players worldwide. One of the poker books that has truly inspired him to improve his craft is titled "Harrington on Hold'em: Volume II: The Endgame," by Dan Harrington. In spite of his success in the poker industry, this professional poker player has no plans of quitting his job. He has put in too much time in his company that he could not abandon it just like that. Besides, being in the financial services industry is also one of his passions.
Well, for the fans of Steven Dannenmann and for those who simply wants to hear a trivia, it is worth mentioning that this professional poker player has some superstitious beliefs. First trivia is about his passion for number eight. It sometimes takes him so long before he can ride a taxi cab because he only rides cabs with plate numbers ending in eight.
Second trivia concerns poker. Steven Dannenmann does not allow his mother and his wife to watch his poker games. His mother and his wife were both not present when he played victoriously at the 2005 World Series of Poker tournament, which is why he does not want them to go to all of the poker events he participates in.