A mere poker apprentice was crowned champion last night, closing the first ever Canadian Open Poker Championship with a surprise. James Lopushinsky, 23, bested the likes of Huck Seed as well as his own mentor, local poker celebrity Brad Booth in the heads-up championship tournament. Playing poker for just a year and a half, Lopushinsky took the top prize of C$250,000. Second-placer Karim Chatur earned a not-too-shabby C$125,000 consolation prize.

Booth began mentoring Lopushinsky after Booth hired him to build a poker table and deal at his club. Since that time, Lopushinsky has been sharpening his poker skills with the help of Booth. Judging from Lopushinsky's performance at the Canadian Open Poker Championship, the classes seem to have paid off.

Source:  Poker777 Staff

Monday, 13 March 2006