Jamie Gold is part of Team Bodog and has wanted the chip lead since Day 1. "Do I have the chip lead?" was the first thing I heard him say when I bumped into him on Day 2. At that time, Dmitry Nobles had a big chip lead, but Gold never stopped smiling and enjoying himself. Think of him as a Beverly Hills Steve Danneman.
Gold is a producer and talent developer, now head of JMG Management. Some of the talent he's developed is a Who's Who of Hollywood: James Gandolfini (The Sopranos), Lucy Liu, Felicity Huffman, Jimmy Fallon, and Kristin Davis are just some of the stars he's worked with. Johnny Chan has worked with Gold both on and off the screen, and Chan has assisted Gold from time to time during the Main Event.
His poker game has been honed in two ways: at a Hollywood home game and at the Commerce. "Commerce has been the breeding ground for champions this year, like Jeff Madsen," said Gold. "I feel like I've played with some of the best players in the world at the Commerce. If you can beat the biggest cash game at Commerce, you are one of the best in the world. I can't beat it myself." He plays with fellow Main Event player Lee Kort at their game in Beverly Hills. "It's the game that originated all the way back to Frank Sinatra. We normally play above a restaurant, have it catered, all very nice. You'll see actors, producers, anyone in Hollywood there."
He's been a charismatic presence during the World Series, always chatting with players and directing those in hands with him. He likes to let people behind the scenes, often showing hands to let the other player know he played a hand properly. If he keeps this pace, he won't have to worry about that. He's on pace for the biggest production of his life, and he might need an agent in the near future. He enters Day 7 with the chip lead of the Main Event.