Scott Montgomery plays poker for a living. Seriously ...

Scott Montgomery grew up in a card-playing family in Perth, but says he never played poker.

Even when he was studying mathematics at the University of Waterloo, he never sat in on a game of Texas Hold'em. It wasn't until he had graduated and moved to Japan to teach English that he discovered the card game he says is all about "strategy and tactics."

At first, playing online at UltimateBet.net was a way to pass time. "I played the free money stuff just to see how the software worked," he says. When Mr. Montgomery switched to UltimateBet.com, he initially bet no more than a dollar a hand.

The kid from Perth with the math degree was a quick study. In a few months, he won $50,000 online. He says he can't remember the last time he added money to his online poker accounts.

Mr. Montgomery, 26, came to public attention last February when he placed fifth in the Los Angeles Poker Classic, taking home $296,860 in winnings. He had gained entry to the no-limit hold'em event by winning an online tournament. The prize was $10,000 in chips for the L.A. classic. It was all in a day's work for Mr. Montgomery, who now plays poker for a living. His goal is to make enough money to retire.

Although he started as an online player, he's now playing more "live" tournaments, with bigger pots. (The winner of the L.A. Classic, veteran Phil Ivey, took home $1.6 million.)

Los Angeles introduced Mr. Montgomery to the other way professionals make money. Ultimate Bet paid him $10,000 to wear its logo on his shirt. If he'd been at the table for the final hand, he would have received $40,000.

Mr. Montgomery may be a big winner, but he has none of the flamboyance associated with a high-stakes poker player. "I live pretty sparsely."

When he's not travelling to tournaments, he can most often be found at the family home in Perth. His big purchase after winning close to $300,000 was a new cellphone; he's parked most of the money in long-term investments. Nor does he romanticize his career choice.

"I play poker because it's an easy way to make a living."

Easy, but not a sure thing. He recently returned from a tournament in Indiana, where he lost. "You lose more often than you win."

And when he does win? "I'm taking other people's money. I never forget this is other people's money."

The Ottawa Citizen

News Added: 02 June, 2008

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