Punk Rock Legend Steve Albini Wins His First WSOP Gold Bracelet
Legendary sound engineer and punk rocker, Steve Albini, earned himself his first World Series of Poker gold bracelet in the WSOP’s $1,500 Seven Card Stud event.
The Chicago native defeated more than 300 contestants to walk away with winnings totalling $105,629 USD (£80,184).
Donning spectacles and a Cocaine Piss T-shirt, the Chicago native seemed an unlikely candidate to emerge victorious from a final table that included six-time bracelet winners Chris Ferguson and Jeff Lisandro, but that is exactly what happened in Vegas.
Entering the final day in fifth chip position, Albini would win a few hands early, busting Ferguson in fourth place. This set the stage for an exciting heads up between Albini and Australian poker pro Jeff Lisandro. After having traded the advantage multiple times, Albini sealed the victory over Lisandro with a pair of tens.
According to his official WSOP bio, Albini began playing poker in 1969 when his great-grandmother taught him how to play. The Seven Card Stud victory nearly doubled Albini’s career winnings, who up until the weekend, had netted himself a modest $58,599 (£44,484). The ever-humble producer, who refuses to take credit when credit isn’t due, told a WSOP reporter:
I am ecstatic that a player as mediocre as me can outlast all of these better players and end up with the bracelet. – Steven Albini
When talking to the WSOP, the 55-year old punk insisted that his victory was only possible due to a senior’s event that occurred simultaneously, leaving his tournament “historically weak, which allowed a sucker like me,” to win. The 50k Poker Players Championship was also taking place, which according to Albini, lured both young and old talents away from his tournament. Although he played it cool with regards to his victory, a twitter photo shows an enthusiastic Albini showing off his bracelet.
Steve Albini celebrates his WSOP win. ©WSOP Twitter
In addition to awarding Albini his first gold bracelet, the victory earned the modest Rockstar 302.27 pts towards Global Poker Index’s Player of the Year award for 2018. The sizeable winnings could perhaps help fund Albini, who still to this day, refuses to accept royalties for records he has recorded. Some of his most iconic production work includes Nirvana’s In Utero, the Pixies’ Surfer Rosa, and PJ Harvey’s Rid of Me. On August 18th, Steven Albini, and his band Shellac, will return to the UK for an appearance at Bristol’s ArcTanGent festival.
