
2008-05-16 15:33:55
Unheralded amateur poker player Keith Wintermans has entered the top 100 of Card Player's player of the year (POY) competition for the first time in his career.
The 35-year-old, who works in the software industry, moved into 85th place in the rankings after netting the biggest title of his career - the World Poker Tour (WPT) Canada Coast to Coast Poker Championships main event.
As well as his POY points, Wintermans earned $224,100 for the victory and can now brag that he outlasted WPT titlists Gavin Smith and Antonio Esfandiari.
After defeating Patrick McCaw in the heads-up, Wintermans remarked: "Taking down first place this year feels even better because I was on the short stack for a lot of the tournament.
"I had more than a few lucky spots along the way, but I was a lot more patient this year and it paid off."
The Coast to Coast Poker Championships main event was the first time a WPT Canada tournament has ever been held.