Miller Dao

Miller Dao was born in Vietnam and immigrated to the United States at the age of 12, settling in Michigan. After losing his job during the economic downturn, he experienced homelessness for nearly six months, living in his car and with friends. He eventually relocated to Maricopa, Arizona, where he started a new life and became a police officer, serving for nearly ten years.

Dao began playing in WSOP Circuit events and quickly showed promise. In just six tournaments, he cashed three times, including a third-place finish in San Diego and a ninth-place appearance at the Harrah's Rincon Regional Championship.

On April 25, 2011, Dao won Event #9: $1,090 No-Limit Hold'em at the WSOP Circuit Caesars Palace. He defeated a field of 230 entrants to claim the $55,202 first-place prize and his first WSOP Circuit gold ring. His final-table performance lasted 6.5 hours, with Dao entering as chip leader and ultimately outlasting nine opponents. The win also earned him a seat in the WSOP Circuit National Championship.

• 2011 WSOP Event #34: $1,000 No-Limit Hold'em – 320th place for $1,895
• 2011 WSOP Circuit Regional Championship – 9th place for $24,235
• 2011 WSOP Circuit Event #18: $555 No-Limit Hold'em – 3rd place for $9,297
• 2010 WSOP Event #24: $1,000 No-Limit Hold'em – 186th place for $2,604

Known for a steady, disciplined approach at the tables, Dao has demonstrated an ability to perform under pressure, particularly in deep-stack situations. His law enforcement background has been noted as a testament to his resilience and focus. While not a household name, his WSOP Circuit victory and early success rate highlight his potential as a competitive tournament player.

Dao is a proud immigrant and community leader. He credits his survival instincts and hard work for his success both in poker and in his career as a police officer. He resides in Maricopa, Arizona.