Online World Crown of Poker Won by Canadian Plumber
A Canadian grandfather claimed the World Crown of Poker, sponsored by online casino operator 888.com, and the accompanying $1 million prize this weekend. Jack Hinchey, a plumber from Toronto, defeated the top ten performers from the online tournament in a face-to-face showdown in Barcelona.
The qualifying field was rich in Canadians, as three other of the ten finalists were also from Canada. Michael Lawson, also from Ontario, finished second.
Hinchey said his granddaughter Victoria was his inspiration throughout, and he turned to her picture in a locket he carried for luck when the cards ran rough. He promised his winnings would provide for her college education.
He also said he would give notice at his job, noting that playing high-stakes cards in Spain "...is a lot better than being in a sewage pit!."
Still, Hinchey does not plan to become a full-time player. He said this tournament exhausted him, and he only hopes to play a few tourneys a year.
The final hand was an exciting one, with Lawson having cut heavily into Hinchey's chip lead. Lawson held a pair of tens, and Hinchey the king of spades and queen of clubs. The flop came out three hearts, king-jack-six. Lawson went all-in with his tens and a flush draw, and Hinchey called. The turn was an offsuit jack, not helping Lawson, and a king on the river gave Hinchey a full house and the Crown.
