PE teacher's $1m poker face

Australia -- SYDNEY'S newest millionaire Grant Levy has his gut instinct and his noisy brother to thank for his fortune.

The Penrith PE teacher beat 561 poker players - including four former world champions - to win the inaugural final of the Asia Pacific Poker Tour at Star City yesterday.

After three gruelling days of poker until dawn, Mr Levy turned a $6000 buy-in into a $1 million first prize.

The 28-year-old, who will now go to Las Vegas for the World Series of Poker next year, said he relied on skill, chance and instinct to win the title.

"It's a mental game, a mathematical game and a people's game. You need to get to know your opponents and you do need a slice of luck," Mr Levy said.

"Mostly I go by gut instinct."

He also credited his older brother, who was playfully sledging him from the rail, with helping him to keep focused during the marathon game.

After sharpening his skills online for two years, the father-of-two decided to buy into the tournament.

Despite his success, he has no plans to give up his job as a teacher at Saint Dominic's College at Kingswood, in Sydney's west.

"I love teaching. It's a passion. I love poker, it's a great hobby," he said. "I get so excited when I sit down to play. People can lose passion for their jobs and I don't want poker to become work."



Share this article
What is this?Digg this Post to del.icio.us Post to Newsvine

News Added: 18 December, 2007

Number of views : 941