FinalTable Bios: Seat 6, David "Chino" Rheem (10,230,000)
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Rheem first cut his poker chops in Florida at casinos like the Seminole Hollywood Casino, taking tips from then dealers Robert and Michael Mizrachi. A few years later he returned to the city of his birth, Los Angeles, to continue the advancement of his poker career in the crazy-action games of the Los Angeles card barns. He continues trying to advance it to this day, citing lessons learned about gambling responsibly and bankroll management.
Rheem's philosophy about tournament poker is never to surrender, no matter how short on chips he gets. As long as a player is still in it, he can still win it. His life experiences probably helped refine that philosophy. Eight years ago, a few brushes with the long arm of Florida law enforcement landed Rheem in jail for four months and on probation for 30 months after being convicted of dealing in stolen property, burglary, larceny and possession of marijuana.
Despite his criminal past, anyone who meets Rheem today comes away with nothing but good things to say about him. His manner, both at the poker table and away from it, belies a certain calmness, intelligence and respect for players and people around him. He is not the type to berate an opponent, although he has acknowledged that like most poker players, a beat can still put him on tilt. It is something that he is striving to improve.
With eighteen previous cashes in major poker tournaments, Rheem is used to pressure, although the WSOP Main Event final table will certainly be the biggest stage he's been on to this point of his life. Rheem said that he has been easily able to shrug off that pressure and the added pressure that comes from being the most recognizable face at the Main Event final table because he doesn't play poker for fame -- he plays it for money. More problematic for Rheem is that he will start play with 10,230,000 chips, well below par. He's not the type of player to try fold his way up the payout ladder. Look for him to try to make some very aggressive moves to chip up early.