Ryan Hughes may have won his first World Series of Poker bracelet in 2007, but he was certainly no stranger to poker at the time.

Born in San Francisco, Ryan started playing poker early in his college years at Arizona State University. Like many pros his age, once he got started he couldn't stop, and soon he opted out of school to take up poker full time.

Life as a poker pro suited Ryan. He improved his game, built up his bankroll, started cashing in live events - including the Professional Poker Tour, WSOP and California State Championship - and touring the tournament circuit.

He'd been playing for about five years when he took down Event 20 at the 2007 World Series. Funnily enough, the tournament was in Seven-Card Stud Hi-Lo Eight-or-Better, a game Ryan admittedly doesn't play very often.

In fact, he only entered the event because, after a hot streak at the singles tables, he was gunning for a tournament and Seven-Card Split was the next one scheduled. Also, because he plays so much Omaha Hi-Lo - and the games are somewhat similar - he thought he might have a shot.

At that time, Ryan emerged from a field of 340 players to make it to a final table that included Greg Raymer, a formidable opponent by any poker player's account, including Ryan's.

"I thought he was a tough player," he told PokerListings.com in a post-win interview.

"I had to get lucky a couple times to knock him out. It's possible that he was the best player at that table at that game."

Luck or no luck, Ryan's experiences at the final table certainly didn't deter him from giving it another go in 2008.

According to the young gun, his second WSOP win in Seven-Card Stud was actually only the second or third time he'd played the game.

Apparently, after the 2007 WSOP, Ryan focused on his bread-and-butter - Hold'em and Omaha Hi-Lo - and forgot all about Seven-Card Stud. Until the 2008 WSOP, that is, when a friend stepped in and messed with Ryan's plans.

Though he intended to return to Phoenix to take care of some business, a friend e-mailed Ryan urging him to compete in the Seven-Card Stud event. Ryan accepted the challenge and once again played himself deep into the tournament.

At the final table he was up against several well-known pros, including renowned poker author David Sklansky. Never mind the competition, though; Ryan played it cool and outlasted his opponents to take home the gold.

His second-bracelet win distinguished him as the first player in history to take down two bracelets in Seven-Card Stud Hi-Lo Eight-or-Better. It also solidified him as a force to be reckoned with in the poker world in general and in Seven-Card Stud, even if he only plays the game once a year.

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