IU alumnus makes it big in World Series of Poker

When alumnus Adam Friedman left IU in May of 2004, he was taking a year off to decide what he wanted to do with his life. Now that he has taken 43rd in the No-Limit Texas Hold'em event at the 2005 World Series of Poker and won more than $235,000, he said what he plans to do may have nothing to do with that degree he got from the Kelley School of Business.\n"If anything I'm going to buy a new computer and that's it," the 23 year-old said. "I've taken the last year off to think of what I want to do for the rest of my life and I'm definitely going to go around the country to compete in more events."\nFriedman was one of 5,619 players, according to a WSP statement, that entered into the No-Limit Texas Hold'em event at the 36th annual WSP. Friedman got there by winning another smaller tournament among some 140 other players. This year's first prize winner Joseph Hachem from Australia took home $7.5 million. \nFriedman, who said his dad taught him how to play poker in his early teens, will "play anywhere and everywhere at any time." He has played on the Internet, at casinos and even in tournaments in Bloomington that included IU accounting professor Chris Falk.\nFalk first met Friedman when he popped up at different tournaments he was playing at around town, and they became good friends.\n"I have lost money to him," Falk admits. "He is a very aggressive player. He will play any two cards. People never know what he is holding. He will push in his chips with anything if he thinks the other person will fold."\nFriedman doesn't wear anything special like sunglasses or a hat. He said he wears what's comfortable to play in, which is usually a T-shirt and shorts. He does have a favorite hand though -- Queen-four off suit. Traditionally a marginal hand, Friedman said it has helped him win more money than he can remember. \nAt one time in the tournament, Friedman had as many as 700,000 chips and said once he lost a big hand it was just a matter of time before he lost them all. \nFriedman said his favorite memory of the tournament is when Sammy Farha, runner-up in this event in 2003, played with him at a table. As soon as Farha sat down, Friedman ran to find his family to tell them who was sitting directly to his left. \nDuring the course of them playing at the same table a hand was played that gave the young college guy a chance to show his talent to the seasoned veteran. Friedman said he had a pure junk hand and he knew Farha was waiting for a specific card. \n"Sammy, you want to go on the Diamond draw of yours," Friedman said to Farha. After the last card was played, Friedman bluffed by betting 16,500 in chips. Farha promptly folded, giving Friedman the pot. \n"When the tournament started I fully expected to win, I have so much faith in the way I play," he said. "I trust my reads more than anything in the world. I'm thrilled to death as to how I played"