2008 WSOP Event 27 Winner Vitaly Lunkin

Cashing in a World Series of Poker is an accomplishment that a lot of mediocre poker players hang their hat on. Even the most aggressive self-promoter would have problems talking up their 829th place finish during a WSOP Main Event with a straight face. Yes, that is a position that allows the player to finish in the money, but on Fathers Day nobody buys a t-shirt that states "#829 Dad". Someone who finishes in that position is not often expected to have a bracelet winning performance the next time they see WSOP money. Russia's Vitaly Lunkin did not exactly go from worst to first, but 829th to first is pretty close.