£1.55 stake takes council worker to world’s biggest poker tournament
A COUNCIL worker entered the world’s biggest poker tournament in Las Vegas – and it only cost him £1.55.
Neil Box made it through to day two of the 888poker-sponsored World Series of Poker (WSOP) main event.
More than 7,000 players took part in this year’s Texas Hold ‘Em tournament – the most prestigious event in the poker calendar held at the Rio Hotel and Casino in the gambling capital of the world. The prize pool is a mouth-watering $67m.
The entry fee was $10,000 except for Neil who took part for less than the price of a pint after winning an online tournament.
The 45-year-old Caerphilly council community environmental warden was sitting at home in Abertridwr last month when he decided to play a $2 Blast online tournament at 888poker.
He was up against three players but it was only after everyone has registered for the event that they found out the prize they were playing for.
Neil said: “The wheel spins and it could have fallen on $4 or even $10 – but when it stopped it said we were playing for a $12,500 888poker package to the World Series of Poker Main Event – which included the $10,000 buy-in.
“I was absolutely flabbergasted. It was an outside chance that it would be a spectacular prize – but it just shows an ordinary bloke like me can get the chance to win a trip of a lifetime.”
Things started to look good for Neil when two of the other players got knocked out very quickly.
“I was heads-up with the other remaining player,” he said. “Suddenly I picked up a pair of twos. He started betting but when the flop came down I hit another two and was almost home and dry. Seconds later I won the hand and knocked him out. The whole game had taken just 11 minutes from start to finish.
“I was punching the air with excitement. It was amazing. I was on my way to Vegas to play the World Series of Poker main event – and I had never ever played a live tournament before. What better way to start?”
Neil broke the news to his wife Jaclyn and the next day they were off on holiday to Newquay, Cornwall with their 18-year-old daughter Saffron. But they had to cut their break short for Neil to organise his trip.
As part of the prize package of the WSOP seat and a five-night stay at the luxurious Vadara Hotel, Neil also received $1,200 expenses. He took his cousin Jeffrey Weston with him.
As an added bonus, if Neil had gone on to lift the title he wouldn’t have just been looking at the $8,150,000 first prize – as an 888poker qualifier he would be entitled to the SuperSizeME promotion which would guarantee him $10m and the coveted WSOP bracelet for winning the main event.
Sadly, Neil busted out of the tournament midway through day two – but he still lasted a lot longer than many of the professionals, including last year’s winner Qui Nguyen.
“It really was an amazing experience to be part of such an incredible event – and it was all thanks to 888poker.com,” said Neil.
“They are putting so much effort into taking back the game for the recreational player who enjoys a game of poker
“I just like to play at home when Jaclyn is busy. It’s just a bit of fun for me – but look where I ended up. Playing in the biggest poker tournament in the world for less than the price of a pint. You can’t say fairer than that.
“When I won the prize and told my friends, all of them thought I was winding them up. Some of them even thought I was being conned. They just reckoned it was too good to be true.
“Well, usually it is – but not this time. I’m here in Las Vegas and having the time of my life!
“I’m only sorry I didn’t go further and get in the money. I think Saffron had already drawn up her shopping list.”