Well luck certainly had a huge role, but I think its true, as was said, he played some of those hands pretty decently. Because of his stack even if he doesn't hit the board he still might of outplayed those guys. You really can't tell. Where his luck really showed is when monies were all-in PF and he always seemed to win those coin-flips and hands where he was an even worse dog. I remember him busting a pro with 87o vs A3, all-in PF, and catching a 654 flop.
When it got to the final table, that's where luck really played a huge role for him. He busted 2 players being dealt QQ while they were dealt JJ, money all-in PF. He busted the first guy with 22 vs AK, flopping a set. If I remember correctly, he busted Allen Cunningham winning a race with KJ vs TT. Down to 3 handed, he moves all-in on an open-ended straight draw and catches vs TP/TK, as a 2 to 1 dog (this hand could have made the difference if Wasika makes the call with his open ended straight flush draw). I think overall he played decently, but when monies were in he really caught some huge breaks, in absence of which he could end up 3rd or even 4th. Leave alone Cunningham, I think even Erik Friberg is better than him. Friberg just had the bad luck of being dealt JJ while Gold had QQ.
Is Gold going to ever make it deep again? I don't see why not, maybe this year or sometime in the next 10, I think its always possible. The guy may not be the greatest, but he's not exactly a donk, and if lady luck smiles to him again, well sure, he can make it deep and even to another FT in the future. I wouldn't be surprised because I think his game is at the level where if he catches some breaks here and there, like last year, it won't be too hard for him. Of course, the same can be said for many other players.
