AUTHOR: Jerry "Jet" Whittaker TITLE: College dropout takes second in poker fest DATE: 3:05 AM ----- BODY: Despite his history as a college dropout, Paul Wasicka earned $6.1 million by taking second place in Las Vegas` annual World Series of Poker. While the 25-year-old, whose three attempts at college ended in uncertainty, ultimately lost out to WSOP winner Jamie Gold, he did successfully outlast 8,771 other contestants at the annual poker event in August to win second overall, the Rocky Mountain News reported. The Westminster, Colo., resident had previously attended the nearby University of Colorado, the University of Wisconsin and Front Range Community College during his scholastic career, but reportedly never felt at home. His mother, Carol Wasicka, recalled to the paper her son`s initial announcement that he was bypassing on further schooling to attempt to become a professional poker player. 'It`s not what every parent wants to hear,' she told the News. 'We figured, `It`s just a phase. He`s doing this now. It`ll pass and then he`ll go back to college.` Were we worried? Well, yes. A little bit.' --------