Cruise leads to WSOP seat for Day 2B player

When Monty Berger boarded the Carnival Legend for a cruise in April, he had one goal in mind - he wanted to win a World Series of Poker Main Event seat.

The cruise line was offering the seat through a satellite tournament on its new PokerPro tables, and Berger had booked the cruise specifically to play in the event. He wasn't the only one either, as more than 50 other players posted the $150 buy-in to play.

But it was Berger who triumphed, taking home the $10,000 buy-in for the WSOP Main Event and an extra $1,000 for travel and accommodations.

The retired cop and 9/11 respondent from Brooklyn is now putting those same poker skills to the test at the World Series and he's managed to wade through his Day 1 to play in Day 2B.

He takes to the felt again today a little short in chips with $19,300, but not the shortest stack at his table.

Casey Koch, from Lincoln, Neb., has that honor with $12,900, followed by Kevin Pionkowski, from San Diego, Calif., with $13,800. The other players at the table are sitting more in the average range with $42,000 or more.

On the plus side, there aren't any intimidating big name players at his starting table for the day. That may change, though, as the cards are shuffled up and dealt for Day 2B. If he lasts long enough, who knows where he may end up or who he'll be playing against.

courtesy of Sarah Polson

News Added: 11 July, 2007

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