Amateur Theodore McQuilkin Tops Pros in WSOPE Event #4 For $103K

(Photo: WSOP.com)

Recreational players who dream of winning a huge poker tournament and the cash and jewelry that go with it have another example that shows it can be done after Theodore McQuilkin took down the €1,650 NLHE 6-Handed event at the WSOPE for €88,043 ($103,748).

The amateur from France who previously had only $24,554 in live tournament cashes is now the proud owner of a World Series of Poker gold bracelet, topping a field of 240 in Event #4 at the King’s Casino, Rozvadov in the Czech Republic. A part owner of a real estate company, McQuilkin's new bling is perhaps the hottest property on his mind right now.

"I'm not a poker professional at all but I love playing poker," the 24-year-old told WSOP reporters. "It's a real passion."

I've Got A Feeling

That passion to play was fortified by a "special feeling" the Frenchman had that good things would happen in Rozvadov. A poker-playing friend warned McQuilkin that his opponents in such a tournament would be especially tough to beat.

That tip proved to be very true with a final table that included Slovakia's Andrej Desset and hometown boy Jan Bednar. They finished 3rd and 2nd, respectively, with Bednar hitting the rail when the board failed to improve his A-Q offsuit versus the pocket kings of McQuilkin.

"The toughest field I have ever played," McQuilkin said. "Every table was very hard. I have to say, I was running good."

That run good included big pocket pairs at a number of opportune moments, the previously mentioned K-K versus Bednar, as well as a pair of jacks against the pocket fives of Sweden's Jerry Odeen, who was eliminated in fourth place.

What do amateur poker players do after winning a gold bracelet and $103K? McQuilkin planned on celebrating with a bottle of whiskey, but also intends to head back to Strasbourg, France.

"I have to work on Monday," the new champ stated, but was pondering a return to Rozvadov to play in the Main Event.

2017 WSOPE - €1,650 NLHE - 6-Handed (Event #4) - Final Table Results