Blumstein and Levin.

Although Scott Blumstein and Jimmy Levin look like bar mitzvah boys, each just received far more than a $100 check from Grandma. In 25-year-old Blumstein’s case, it was the $8.15 million he received last week as the winner of the World Series of Poker. Said the new millionaire, “I definitely feel like I’m in this position because I’m from New Jersey.” Meanwhile, Jimmy Levin, a 34-year-old star credit trader, was appointed co-CIO of Och-Ziff and handed a $280-million incentive package. Are both men just lucky? Who knows. But one thing is for sure: performance, not age or years of experience, is becoming today’s mantra, even beyond start-up land.

This article was published as part of Weekly Briefing No. 91