Ron Kirk is a professional poker player from Lexington, Kentucky. Kirk is best known for his World Series of Poker bracelet, which he picked up in his first ever live tournament performance in 2005.
In July 2005, the little-known Kentucky native entered the $1,500 No Limit Hold'em event at the Rio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Coming out of nowhere, Kirk made his way through the field and on to the final table, putting him in contention for a large share in the $1,146,870 prize pool. Kirk eventually held his cool and notched up an impressive first place performance, for which, he received his maiden World Series of Poker bracelet. Ron Kirk also walked away from the Rio with a handsome $321,520 winner’s check.
Despite some steady performances, Ron Kirk is yet to reach the heights of his 2005 WSOP adventure. Later that year, he participated in the $10,000 No Limit Hold'em event at the World Poker Tour Finals in Mashantucket. In a field of 783 entrants, Kirk managed to finish in the money, taking home $11,000 for his 105th place performance. Ron Kirk ended a great year with a strong display at the Fourth Annual Five Diamond World Poker Classic in Las Vegas in December 2005. Participating in the $15,000 No Limit Hold'em Main Event, Kirk’s strong display helped him to a 14th place finish, and with it earnings of $80,500.
Ron Kirk’s second tournament win came at the The Mirage Poker Showdown in Las Vegas in May 2006, where he came out on top in the $1,500 No Limit Hold'em Super Satellite event. His impressive performance helped him to not only beat out the competition, but also won him a seat at the main event.
At the Bellagio Cup III in Las Vegas in 2007, Ron Kirk managed to 4th place finishes, first in the $5,000 No Limit Hold'em event, where he won himself $18,925. He followed that up with a bigger payout of $47,865, this time in the $2,500 No Limit Hold'em event. He returned to the the Bellagio Cup in 2008, but failed to improve on his previous performances, only managing a 9th place performance in $5,000 No Limit Hold'em, for which he took home $18,060.
