Kara Swisher

Recent Posts by Kara Swisher

Jerry Yang Wins $8.25 Million! Oh, I Meant the Other Gambling Jerry Yang.

Many observers think that Jerry Yang needs to be a little bolder and has to really make big bets if he wants to turn Yahoo–which he co-founded–into a company with both momentum and excitement.

pokeryang

He could take a tip perhaps from the other Jerry Yang, a 39-year-old California psychologist with little poker experience, who won the World Series of Poker yesterday, taking in a kitty of $8.25 million in what is the largest annual tournament.

The Hmong immigrant from Laos, who has six children and whose profile is here, beat out almost 6,400 players in the no-limit Texas Hold ‘Em event.

“I study my opponents very carefully, and when I sensed something, when I sensed some weakness, I took a chance,” Yang told the Associated Press. “Even if I had nothing, I decided to raise, re-raise, push all-in or make a call.”

In fact, that’s not a bad strategy for Yahoo going forward.

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There was a worry before I started this that I was going to burn every bridge I had. But I realize now that there are some bridges that are worth burning.

— Valleywag editor Sam Biddle