In 2004, Carl Nessel, aka Coach, was a 57 year old retired fire fighter and part time poker tournament employee who won a bracelet

World Series of Poker bracelet

The World Series of Poker bracelet is considered the most coveted non-monetary prize a poker player can win. Since 1976, a bracelet has been awarded to the winner of every event at the annual WSOP. Even if the victory occurred before 1976, WSOP championships are now counted as "bracelets". ...

 in the Casino Employees Championship

World Series of Poker Casino Employee Championship

The Casino Employees Championship is one of only three closed tournaments awarding WSOP bracelet's at the World Series of Poker gathering. While most of the events are open to the general public, participants in the Ladies Championship, Seniors Championship, and the Casino Employees Championship...

 event at the World Series of Poker

World Series of Poker

The World Series of Poker is a world-renowned series of poker tournaments held annually in Las Vegas and, since 2005, sponsored by Harrah's Entertainment...

. Prior to the 2004 WSOP, Coach was a regular poker player around Thousand Oaks, CA and worked part time at various poker tournaments around the city. At the 2004 WSOP, Coach was employed as a "Chip Runner." "To get to any final table, let alone the World Series, is an accomplishment that goes beyond anything else in poker," the Coach said. "I saw light at the end of the tunnel when I got (heads-up against Pockat), but the light turned out to be a train."

Coach's lifetime winnings exceed $83,000.

World Series of Poker bracelets

Year	Tournament	Prize (US$)
2004 2004 World Series of Poker The 2004 World Series of Poker was held at Binion's Horseshoe after Harrah's Entertainment purchased the casino and the rights to the tournament in January...	$500 Casino Employees No Limit Hold'em	$40,000