Lee Watkinson

Lee Watkinson (born October 18, 1966) is an American professional poker player, originally from Cheney, Washington.

At the 2004 World Series of Poker (WSOP), Watkinson finished 2nd in the $5,000 pot limit Omaha event. He also finished in the money of that year’s $10,000 no limitTexas hold ‘em main event, finishing 113th.

Watkinson made back-to-back World Poker Tour (WPT) final tables during its third season. The first time he finished 2nd to Eli Elezra, and the second time he finished 2nd again, this time to Doyle Brunson.

Watkinson made back-to-back WSOP main event cashes at the 2005 World Series of Poker (WSOP), finishing in 45th place out of 5,619 entrants for a $235,390 prize. He also made the final table of a WSOP circuit event in November 2005, finishing 3rd.

At the 2006 WSOP, Watkinson won a bracelet and the $655,746 first prize in the $10,000 pot limit Omaha event when his Ac Qs 6c 5c defeated Mike Guttman’s Js Jc 10d 8d on a board of 5s 4s 3h 7d Kh.

As of 2007, his total live tournament winnings exceed $3,200,000.

He is an economics graduate and quotes wrestling and surfing as his main interests outside of poker. He wrestled at 142 pounds in college and 187 pounds the last time that he wrestled in 2001. Lee is a humanitarian, working with the Cortland Brandenburg Foundation to rescue retired chimpanzee test subjects. His poker nickname among Vegas pros has been Lee “Sandwich” Watkinson for his tendency to trap players by using a “sandwich raise” with or without a good hand, notably by Phil “Unabomber” Laak.

Watkinson finished 8th in the 2007 World Series of Poker Main Event, earning $585,699.