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Colorado poker pro wins first WSOP bracelet, $324,7643 June 2013Johnny Beauprez thinks playing poker is a lot like running a business. In fact, he does both. Beauprez not only plays poker for a living, he's also started an online training site for aspiring players who want to improve their game. “Poker is something where you can get back what you deserve, which means what you put into it,” Beauprez said moments after earning his first World Series of Poker victory, which took place at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. “That's what I always liked about poker, that it's the quintessential example of entrepreneurship. If you work harder and are better than your opponent, you are going to make money at it.” That philosophy paid big dividends in the $1,500 buy-in Six-Handed No-Limit Hold'em tournament (Event #4), as the 28-year-old poker pro and website owner/instructor from Boulder, Colo., won his first gold bracelet and $324,764. He defeated Germany's Manig Loeser heads-up for the bracelet, with the tournament attracting a total of 1,069 entrants. Beauprez's name will be a familiar one to many citizens of Colorado. The winner is the son of two-term Congressman Bob Beauprez. His father also ran for Governor of Colorado in 2006. Years ago, when Beauprez informed his parents that he wanted to pursue a career related to poker, they were understandably skeptical, at first. But as his parents came to realize their son's intense dedication to his craft, they gradually came to support his decision. “I've been into poker since I was 18,” Beauprez said. “At first, they were against it because they didn't understand poker. They're not gamblers....they were just being good parents trying to give me great guidance. But my dad is very entrepreneurial, so he understands it now.” When asked what it will be like to phone his family back home in Colorado and inform them that their son has just won the premier prize in poker, plus more than $320,000 dollars, Beauprez again looked at the issue in philosophical terms. “My parents were farmers and they still sleep like farmers, which means they are in bed right now,” Beauprez joked as the clock struck midnight in Las Vegas. “They're going to have some great news when they wake up. I'm going to say, 'guess what? I won!'” While Loeser didn't win, he didn't walk away a loser. He claimed $200,698 for second place. Eric Blair was third for $127,300, while 2009 Main Event champion Joe Cada was fourth. Mike Mustafa was fifth, and Keven Stammen also made the final table, finishing sixth. Tournament summary modified from notes provided by WSOP Media Director Nolan Dalla, used by permission. |