Poker crowns new world champ

Poker crowns new world champ

LAS VEGAS, Nevada (AP): A 29-year-old man is poker's new king after he bluffed his way to a US$1.5 million jackpot.

Carlos Mortensen, a professional poker player for four years, won the World Series of Poker tournament Friday night at Binion's Horseshoe.

When the dealer turned over the final card in the no-limit Texas hold-em event, the nine of diamonds gave Mortensen a straight, beating Dewey Tomko's two pair.

Mortensen, formerly of Madrid, Spain, kissed his wife and smiled, holding up his arms in joy as the standing-room-only crowd of 600 roared its approval.

"It's unbelievable," said Mortensen, who moved to the United States a few years ago to play poker.

Mortensen started the event's last day with the second most chips out of the nine-player field, but by the time the eight- hour marathon was down to two players, he had a 2-1 chip lead over Tomko.

Observers said the 32nd annual event had its longest final day in memory, as only six players played on the final day in past years.

In Texas hold-em, players each receive two cards. All players share five community cards. Each player uses any combination of two cards and the five community cards to form the best five-card poker hand.

Tomko won $1.1 million for second place.

"I played as well as I could have," the 54-year-old professional player from Haines City, Florida, said. "Fate is fate."

Mortensen also won a gold championship bracelet, poker's most coveted prize.

A record 613 players willing to pay the $10,000 entry fee entered the poker tournament.