Despite a decade-long career, several high-profile cashes and close friendships with some of poker's hottest stars, David "Chino" Rheem was virtually unknown in the global poker community until the 2008 World Series of Poker Main Event.

After grinding through a massive field and days of play, Chino final-tabled and became a member of the now-notorious November Nine crew. Media and fan interest ballooned in anticipation of the most historic final table in World Series history, and Chino suddenly found himself - and his life story - the subject of intense scrutiny.

Chino slung his first chips in the late '90s. After graduating from high school in West Palm Beach, Fla. in 1998, Chino moved southwest to South Broward, where he decided to take advantage of the state's law allowing 18-year-olds to play casino poker.

The Seminole Hollywood Casino was about an hour's drive from his residence and quickly became his venue of choice. He started playing low-limit games and developed a reputation for his politeness and dedication. Unfortunately, he wasn't very good at poker, but that was about to change.

A chance encounter with rounder Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi at a Hollywood restaurant led to a night at the Seminole, which in turn led to a long and storied friendship.

The Grinder and his brother Robert recognized Chino's natural ability at the felt and began to coach him on his game. With determination, skill and a couple of solid mentors, Chino improved steadily at the tables.

But all was not as it seemed in the young gun's world. A couple years after he had discovered poker, a Broward County court sentenced David to four months in jail and 30 months' probation after he was convicted of dealing in stolen property, burglary, larceny and possession of marijuana.

The ruling was a result of some trouble Chino got into after high school when he broke into a car and stole some things - and had marijuana on his person.

No doubt the future wasn't looking too bright for Chino as he entered his 20s, but he took it in stride. He served his time, and then took steps to move forward with his life.

He hit the felt again and began making moves, playing cash games and working on his strategy. Ready for a change, he relocated to Los Angeles, where he continued to dedicate his time to poker. And his perseverance paid off.

In 2005 he cashed in his first major tournament during the EPT Monte Carlo stop. A couple of months later he notched his first WSOP in-the-money finishes in the Main Event and a $1,500 Limit Hold'em tourney. And it's been smooth sailing ever since.

The L.A. Poker Classic, Mandalay Bay Poker Championship, Doyle Brunson Five Diamond World Poker Classic and the Five Star World Poker Classic are just some of the events David has cashed in since he netted his first live tournament win. Not to mention the numerous WSOP finishes under his belt.

Chief among them was David's historic final-table finish in the 2008 WSOP Main Event. With Chino the most experienced pro of the bunch by far, punters far and wide agreed he was most likely to take down the event when the final hands played out in November 2008.

Unfortunately for David the predictions didn't come true. He was eliminated in seventh place after his A-K failed to hold against eventual champion Peter Eastgate's A-Q.

Clearly devastated, he ripped into reporters from the mainstream media when they asked how he was feeling in his post-bust interview.

"Are you being serious right now?" he admonished. "Like what the f*** kind of question is that? How do you think I'm feeling?

"Not to be rude, but I put my heart into it and my heart is broken ... I feel like s***. I feel like s***. You can quote me on that."

It's to be hoped the more than $1.7 million he received as compensation for his win - and the passage of time - will make his bust-out easier to bear. After all, this is a player who has experienced his fair share of ups and downs at the felt, and has proven his resilience time and again.

Determined, professional, intelligent and calm, David has seen a big boost to his already impressive poker resume with his results in the 2008 WSOP Main Event. And, if history is any indication, he'll likely continue to win pots and take shots at the table for years to come.

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