Joe Pelton Wins Legends of Poker

Joe Pelton Wins Legends of Poker

Joe Pelton was certainly a long shot�last night at WPT’s Legends of Poker main event final table.� A relatively unknown on the poker scene from Newport Beach, California, was up against poker professionals such as Scotty Nguyen, Hoyt Corkins and Team Paradise Poker veteran Randy Holland.

From Bluff Magazine: �Going into the final table I felt my chances were as good as the other players,� said Pelton. �I realized I was playing with pros and hoped that Randy and Scotty would be knocked out early. I never felt in danger of losing when I went all in, I was confident in my cards and was able to keep my bluffing to a minimum.�

Pelton began playing poker at Harvey Mudd College with his buddies about three years ago. Now a business analyst, he feels that his analytical skills help him in every aspect of life, including his poker game. This is Pelton�s biggest win so far. His second largest take was at the 2005 WSOP where he won $11,000.

After winning, Pelton was overwhelmed with emotion in what he described as �a dream come true.� Pelton says he has watched these big games on TV before but to win is surreal. No big celebration has been planned but Pelton plans to buy a house with the money at some point. For now, Pelton is going away this weekend with his girlfriend to let the win sink in.

Although Pelton admits that this is life-changing money, he claims he�ll keep his day job and won�t play any more poker then he usually does. �Poker is a fun way to pass time, but I will not consider a career in playing,� added Pelton. But watch out for him � he�s competing at the WPT Championships and the WSOP next year!

Team Paradise Poker player Randy Holland also put in a strong performance placing fifth and cashing in for over $177,000.