Seat 9: Martin Staszko (40,175,000)
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Martin Staszko is a 35-year-old poker pro from Trinec of the Czech Republic who previously worked in the automotive industry. Stasko had four cashes at the World Series of Poker this summer prior to the Main Event. His best finish being 39th in the $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha Hi/Lo.
Staszko only has two results prior to the 2011 WSOP. The first result we find on Staszko's record is an 11th-place finish in the €5,000 Main Event at the European Poker Tour Deauville stop back in January 2010. He earned €35,000 for that finish. The second was a 10th-place finish in the €1,500 Main Event of the Unibet Open Prague for €8,200.
By making the WSOP Main Event final table, Staszko has become the first ever Czech to do so. He made sure to do so in a big way, coming in with the chip lead of over six million in chips. Staszko considers himself to be a professional poker player, but also enjoys competitive chess and recreational tennis. Staszko told the WSOP that it would be "unbelievable" to be the first person to win the Main Event from the Czech Republic.
During the months off leading up to the final table, Staszko has been traveling the European tournament circuit as most other pros have. He only able to record one result -- an 11th-place finish in an EPT Barcelona side event -- but he gained plenty of practice and experience on the felt.