Rusty Mandap: A Poker Pro From Hawaii

When we think of Hawaii, there are so many things that come to our minds, such as the song "Tiny Bubbles," motion pictures that were filmed there such as "Pearl Harbor," "Waterworld," "50 First Dates," "Outbreak," and "Six Days Seven Nights," and beautiful islands such as Oahu, Kauai, Molokai, and Lanai. Perhaps, some of us have more to add to the things that have already been mentioned. But we are pretty sure that it will not occur to most of us the fact that Hawaii is a place where a successful poker professional like Rusty Mandap hails.

Rusty Mandap works as a tournament director at the Hawaiian Garden's Casino. When he is not working, he is usually found at poker tables in Los Angeles, California. He is one of those poker professionals who do not want to abandon their other jobs. Nevertheless, holding two professions does not prevent Rusty Mandap from excelling in playing poker. Perhaps, it is also because of the fact that his other job is also involved with the poker industry.

Rusty Mandap had several noteworthy accomplishments in 2003. He finished fifth in an event of the California State Poker Championship, he placed third in an event of the Grand Slam of Poker tournament, and he ended up in second place in an event of the Legends of Poker tournament. Furthermore, this poker professional also placed third in a tournament called Big Poker Oktober and he became a fourth placer in a game featured at the Winning of the Green tournament.

2004 was also a memorable year for Rusty Mandap. It was on January 29 when this poker professional joined a US$300 Buy-In Casino Employee's Limit Hold'em event of the Los Angeles Poker Classic and won first place. He was awarded the prize money worth US$11,160. On April 4, he participated in the 2nd Annual Five-Star World Poker Classic tournament and placed eighth in a US$2,500 Buy-In Omaha Hi/Lo event, winning US$5,699. He also participated in two games of the Legends of Poker tournament in August, placing 9th and 5th and taking home US$1,395 and US$11,385m respectively.

Rusty Mandap also had money finishes in 2005. The first one was when he joined a US$1,000 Buy-In Omaha Hi/Lo event of the Los Angeles Poker Classic tournament on February 3 and became the tenth placer, earning US$1,940. In August, this poker professional also participated in a US$500 Buy-In Limit Hold'em game of the Legends of Poker tournament, wherein he placed twenty-seventh.

Rusty Mandap was also visible at major poker tournaments in 2006, which include his participation in a US$2,000 Buy In Omaha Hi/Lo Split event of the World Series of Poker, wherein he became the second placer and earned US$176,813. This poker professional also experienced money finishes in Heavenly Hold'em and Legends of Poker events.

Indeed, Rusty Mandap has established his worth as a poker professional. Nevertheless, he still dreams of achieving his ultimate ambition of winning in an Omaha event of the World Series of Poker.