Rodney E. Pardey

Rodney (Rod) Erin Pardey (born September 14, 1976 in Las Vegas, Nevada) aka "Michael Valentine" is a songwriter and professional poker player. Pardey is the son of seven-card stud player Rodney H. Pardey.

Music

In 2002, Pardey formed and fronted the band Romance Fantasy, which featured Ronnie Vannucci Jr., later of The Killers, on drums. Pardey was the inspiration for the Killers' B-side, "The Ballad of Michael Valentine." Pardey also fronted the Las Vegas band Chapter Eleven, formed in 1992 with drummer Ben Crosby. Clayton Scrivner of The Rodeo Boys played drums in a second incarnation of the band.

Poker

At the age of 21, Pardey entered the $1,500 seven-card stud event at the 1998 World Series of Poker (WSOP). Despite having never entered a tournament before, Pardey managed to finish fourth taking home $24,030. Pardey finished 52nd in the $10,000 no limit hold'em main event of the 2005 WSOP, earning $173,880.

As of 2007, his total live tournament winnings exceed $210,000.