Mike Leah's Bracelet Victory Started With a List

I'm writing this just a few minutes after watching Mike Leah win the $25,000 High Roller Event of the 2014 World Series of Poker Asia-Pacific.

Mike is a coach for Ivey League and as some of you know, I worked for Ivey Poker until this past July. Mike was one of the pros that I had the fortune to cover frequently because he was one of the team's most consistent performers.

In late December 2013, I emailed Mike asking if he would give me a list of his poker-related "New Year's Resolutions." On New Year's Eve, he sent me that list and I present what he sent to me:

Mike Leah 2014 Poker Goals Checklist: (At least 1 of each)

-Coop Title (tcoop,scoop,wcoop)

-Ftops Jersey #5

-WSOP C Ring

-WSOP Bracelet

-Televised Final Table

-I want a million (1st 7 figure score)

-Player of the Series/Year (Coop, Ftops, WSOPC, WSOP, WPT)

When Mike sent me this list, I realistically expected him to accomplish one of the first. In fact, I even joked with him that his 5th FTOPS Jersey was a given considering his performance in 2013 (he won two.) From there, I went through the list and said that he would win a circuit ring OR a bracelet OR he might make a TV final table.

I don't think anyone expected the year Mike put together. Ironically, the only goals on this list that he DIDN'T accomplish were the first two.

Not that he didn't try. He had a 2nd in a SCOOP Event and both a 2nd and 3rd in the most recent FTOPS series.

Mike scratched off his goal for a WSOP-C Ring and Player of the Series at the Bicycle Casino WSOP-C stop in March. He won two bracelets in the span of 24 hours in route to winning the Casino Champion title.

In August, Mike earned his first seven-figure score after finishing second in the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open. He earned $1.04 million.

An just tonight Mike made the televised final table for the WSOP APAC High Roller Event and then took down the bracelet and A$600,000.

Btw, on the way to accomplishing the majority of the goals on his list he accomplished the following:

Won a $5k Turbo at the 2014 PCA for $119,770

Won a Preliminary Event of the Fallsview Poker Classic for $108,465

Cashed four times at the 2014 WSOP, including a final table in the $2,500 Omaha 8/Stud 8 Event

Finished runner-up in a $1,100 NL Event at the Venetian Deepstack Extravaganza for $189,474

Simply, Mike Leah is having his best year ever in poker. And the year isn't over.

Maybe I should get him to do a list for 2015....