The original 2012 report
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Chiab “Chip” Saechao, a Blackjack dealer and employee at the Tachi Casino, in Lemoore, California had a memorable memorial day weekend. During the first World Series of Poker Tournament of the year, a special competition was organized for employees of the gambling industry. Chip decided to take part and surprised everyone, including himself when he walked away with over $70k
Chip told reporters after his win, “I will pay off a lot of my debt. I will give some of it to my wife so she can buy some nice things. Not too many can come over here to Las Vegas and go back home with this.”
The Casino Employees Championship had more than 700 players. However, most of them were gone in quick time and at the end of the first day, less than 50 remained. Chip played a focused game on both days and soon found himself winning a big hand. Chip later stated that he had never played a big tournament before but the experience he gained playing in small stakes cash games served him in good stead.
Chip emerged as the winner and walked away with $70,859 in prize money as well as the famous WSOP gold bracelet. Chip proudly said “I plan to wear it and show it off”.
Read a little deeper
Enjoy the story, then examine the claims
Books, films and personal stories offer different perspectives on blackjack. Keep the work’s narrative, the reporter’s opinion and any practical advice separate. The original feature is preserved below; rankings, reviews, editions and release references describe its publication period.
- The work
- Identify the book, film, event or person being discussed.
- Perspective
- Separate reported events from praise, interpretation or dramatization.
- Learning
- Use the rules and strategy guides to examine practical blackjack claims.
Is an entertaining blackjack story a complete playing method?
No. A story selects moments and perspectives. Learning the game requires explicit rules and decisions; a dramatic win or an enthusiastic review is not evidence of repeatable results.
More from this era
Archive presentation refreshed 26 October 2026. The original report and publication date are retained; this is not a new offer, event listing or product review.