Casinos.co.uk: Casino News Archive
Monday 2nd July 2007
Adversity Drives Canadian At WSOP
A man who was blinded in a near fatal car accident just before his 21st birthday will be competing at this week’s World Series Of Poker (WSOP) Main Event in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Jason Holbroook won a satellite tournament at the Golden West Casino in Bakersfield, California, in June and earned himself a $10,000 seat for the Event, which begins this Friday at the Rio Hotel and Resort.
The 37-year-old Canadian said that he has played poker since he was five and has grown into a very good player. But, following a car accident and subsequent coma in 1991, he lost his sight and has since used a card reader during play. He stated that he learned how to play Texas Hold'em a little more than a year ago and communicates with his reader through whispers.
'I am super, super excited,' said Holbrook. 'I think I'm the first blind man to make it to the WSOP.'
There have already been more than 9,000 entries to this year’s Main Event and first place prize money is expected to exceed last year's $12 million.
Holbrook has lived in Bakersfield since 1989 and said that he is excited at the opportunity of playing some of the world's best. 'I got my own sixth sense that's come in since I lost my sight. I have to do it with my mind, since I can't see their eyes or faces. I think that's an advantage to me because I believe they can't see me either,' he said.
Source:OnlineCasinoNews
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