A Brampton man is the king of PokerIsland.

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Brampton man comes up aces on PokerIsland

Last Updated: 19th November 2008, 2:34am

A Brampton man is the king of PokerIsland.

Ryan Hurst came up aces in the 14-week poker tournament that ended with him winning a $100,000 sponsorship that will allow him to play in big 2009 events.

It started with a $1.10 buy-in on an online qualifying tournament, Hurst, 32, said yesterday from his home. And when he was successful there, he was shuttled off for seven weeks in poker paradise on the island of Ibiza, off the Mediterranean coast of Spain.

"It was absolutely gorgeous there," said Hurst, who is making poker his career. "For someone who lives the poker lifestyle, getting out and doing things on the water and getting out and meeting people was just great."

Hurst was one of 10 to make it to the final table on Ibiza. The final table competition was held online Nov. 4 after he returned to his Brampton home.

Hurst now gets to play as a member of the bwin poker team -- the company that operates the gaming website where PokerIsland started -- in upcoming tournaments like the World Series of Poker.

"From over 500,000 people who competed, only one person remains and I happen to be Canadian," Hurst said.

He attributes his success -- and the success of many Canadians playing big-money poker such as Daniel Negreanu, Tuan Lam and Scott Montgomery -- to a Canuck's natural tendency to not be too egotistical and to honest self-evaluation.

"The trick is not to think you're better than everyone else," Hurst advised.

Hurst said his mom does a good job of keeping his feet on the ground.

"My dad is pretty gung-ho about this whole poker thing but my mom isn't convinced," he said. "Once, the day after I had won a $30,000 tournament, she sent me some applications and asked why I didn't get a job at this factory or that office."

Hurst doesn't see earning a living playing poker past 40.

"It can be pretty rough not going out until 8 p.m. and coming home when everyone else is going to work but it has fit me pretty well so far."