Three Generational Family Enters WSOP
GIBRALTAR – This is one family you don't want tobluff! Victor Goulding, 91; Rick Goulding, 52, and Brenton Goulding, 22 ofMelbourne, Fla., are breaking new ground today as the first everthree-generational family to play in a World Series of PokerMain Event.
Sponsored by PartyPoker.net, the Gouldings ledby the irrepressible granddad Victor have come en masse to lay theircards on the table against thousands of other competitors in the largestWSOP ever.
"We at PartyPoker.net are proud to sponsor a family who remind us allthat poker is a game of fun and skill for people of all ages," said WarrenLush, PartyPoker.net spokesman.
Poker fans may recognize Victor from last year, when in one of theclassic moments on the ESPN broadcast, he was given a "time out" forcursing. At 91, he is the oldest player in the field this year, as well aslast year. Victor says, "I'm very passionate about my poker. I can't waitto play again. And, I hope to be here next year, too!"
However, it's the first appearance at the WSOP Main Event for son Rick,a retired plastic surgeon-turned-film producer and grandson Brenton, aphilosophy student at the University of Florida. The entire family is inVegas to cheer them on and that includes Brenton's brothers Blane 19,Barrett 17, and Bryce Goulding, 13 (affectionately known as the B GEESamong their friends). Granddad Victor, who counts among his exploits goinghead-to-head with Amarillo Slim and bringing poker to New Guinea in 1943during WWII, plays online regularly to stay sharp. The most any of thethree have won online to date is $2,500. But that doesn't begin to tell thetale of their competitiveness, passed down from generation to generation.
"Brenton is the best player in our very competitive home games," saysRick, the proud pop. "He probably wins six out of every 10. I,unfortunately, am at the bottom of the ladder."
That doesn't stop his son Brenton from dreaming that they all advancein the tournament. "Wouldn't it be funny if out of all those thousandsof people I ended up on a table with my dad or granddad," he says. "Ihope it would go the way of our home games!"
2006-08-07
