| Lee Watkinson | |
|---|---|
 Watkinson at the final table of the2007 World Series of Poker. | |
| Born | October 18, 1966 (1966-10-18) (age 59) |
| World Series of Poker | |
| Bracelet | 1 |
| Final tables | 6 |
| Money finishes | 18 |
| Highest WSOP Main Event finish | 8th,2007 |
| World Poker Tour | |
| Title | None |
| Final table | 3 |
| Money finishes | 6 |
| Information last updated on23 April 2010. | |
Lee Watkinson (born October 18, 1966) is an American professionalpoker player, originally fromLongbranch, Washington.[1]
At the2004 World Series of Poker (WSOP), Watkinson finished 2nd in the $5,000pot limitOmaha event.[2] He finishedin the money of that year's $10,000no limitTexas hold 'em main event, finishing 113th.[3]
Watkinson made back-to-backWorld Poker Tour (WPT) final tables during itsthird season. The first time he finished 2nd toEli Elezra, and the second time he finished 2nd again, this time toDoyle Brunson.[4][5]
Watkinson made back-to-back WSOP main event cashes at the2005 World Series of Poker (WSOP), finishing in 45th place out of 5,619 entrants for a $235,390 prize.[6] He also made the final table of aWSOP circuit event in November 2005, finishing 3rd.[7]
At the2006 WSOP, Watkinson won abracelet and the $655,746 first prize in the $10,000 pot limit Omaha event when hisA♣ Q♠ 6♣ 5♣ defeated Mike Guttman'sJ♠ J♣ 10♦ 8♦ on a board of5♠ 4♠ 3♥ 7♦ K♥.[8]
Watkinson made the final table and finished 8th in the2007 World Series of Poker Main Event, earning $585,699.[9]
In 2008, Watkinson final tabled 2 consecutive tournaments, taking 5th in the WPT Borgata Winter Open and 7th in the WSOP Circuit Main Event atHarrah's Rincon in San Diego, California.[10][11]
In 2009, Watkinson cashed twice at the World Series of Poker. He took 36th in the $1000 No-Limit Hold'em event and just missed winning his 2nd bracelet when he took 2nd in the $1500 Pot-Limit Omaha High/Low event for $141,873.[12][13]
As of 2010, his total live tournament winnings exceed $4,100,000.[14] His 16 cashes at the WSOP account for $2,306,264 of those winnings.[15]
He is aneconomics graduate and quoteswrestling andsurfing as his main interests outside poker. He wrestled at 142 pounds in college and 187 pounds the last time that he wrestled in 2001.[16] Lee is a humanitarian, working with the Cortland Brandenburg Foundation to rescue retired chimpanzee test subjects. Watkinson attended college atEastern Washington University.[17]