
2006-11-01 16:21:46
A Canadian factory worker has come out on top at the final table of the North American Poker Championship, collecting $1.35 million for his troubles.
Soren Turkewitsch, who beat 496 other competitors over a period of four days, was joined by six other players at the final table, with fellow Canadian Jason Sagle taking the second prize of $676,000. Sagle came fifth at the 2006 World Series of Poker.
With a total prize pool of over $4.8 million, the event proved to be attractive to the leading lights of the poker world, with newcomers trying their luck against more established names. But it was Turkewitsch, reported to currently be living in the basement of his girlfriend's parents' home, who eventually triumphed.
Canadian poker received another boost with the successful completion of the inaugural Canadian Open later in the week, with American Scott Clements taking home the $250,000 main prize.
In separate news, it has been announced that a new online gambling commission has been set up to regulate Canadian web-based gambling. A spokesman promised a "high quality environment" for online players.
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