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Lind wins record-breaking seniors event at WSOP for $634,809

18 June 2013

There's a concept that's become famous called “the bucket list.”

What this means is trying to do all the things you really want to do in life before we reach out inevitably mortal fate, or, more crudely, kick the bucket. Bucket lists usually include things like travel and trying out new experiences.

Prior to this week, Kenneth Lind had never played in a World Series of Poker event. He always wanted to come to Las Vegas and give it a try. However, until his friend Burrell finally talked him into making the trip, encouraged by his wife as well, Lind never thought he'd play in a gold bracelet event, let alone win poker's most coveted prize in the largest seniors event in WSOP history, with a field of 4,407 players.

Remarkably, Lind not only bought into his first WSOP tournament, he did what must have seemed impossible three days earlier. He survived Day One. Next, he made the money. Then, he made it to the final table. Finally, he ended up winning the gold bracelet and collecting $634,809 in prize money. He was also honored with his name being added to the famous Golden Eagletrophy, a tradition started by poker legend “Oklahoma" Johnny Hale.

"This is beyond a dream," said Lind. "The biggest tournament I had ever played was like 10 or 12 tables. And you come here, and there are 4,400 opponents. I just wanted to compete."

Lind joined the U.S. Army in 1963 and served his country proudly for 22 years. He retired as an officer. After that, he took a job with the federal government, working in the Bureau of Reclamation, which has water preservation in the west as one of its major responsibilities. The movement to protect and preserve water in the west became not just a job, but a personal passion.

Yet Lind has also made free time for himself to play more poker during his retirement. That's what resulted in his first foray to the green felt tables of Las Vegas at the WSOP.

Lind is 68 years old, which made him the oldest player at the final table. He was born in Peakskill, N.Y. and now resides in Layton, Utah. Lind is married and has seven children, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

The Seniors Championship has been the fastest growing event at the WSOP over the past five years. This year's attendance figure eclipsed last year's record by more than 200 players.

Dana Ott, from Colorado Springs, Colo., finished as runner-up. He earned $390,601 as a consolation prize. John Holley was third for $283,312, Barry Bashist was fourth for $209,856, Randolph Spain was fifth for $156,629 and Michel Bouskila was sixth for $117.799. James Miller (seventh), Jack Ernest Ward (eighth) and Fernando Halac (ninth) also made the final table.

The top 441 players finished in the money. Notable players who cashed but did not make the final table included Hoyt Corkins (23rd), Dan Heimiller (39th), Chris Bjorin (45th), Robert Varkonyi (73rd), Donnacha O'Dea (114th), Jay Heimowitz (311th), and TJ Cloutier (428th).

The oldest player is this year's Seniors field was 92-year-old Herman Moonves, father of CBS President Les Moonves.

Tournament recap modified from a report by WSOP Media Director Nolan Dalla, used by permission.

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