Jason Mercier wins $2.6 million in European Poker Tour
My story about Jason Mercier, who tore it up in Europe this summer, made the print version of the SunSentinel today.
I didn't have space to include that he endured a bit of a slump: He cashed in only three of the 22 World Series of Poker events he entered. And I couldn't fully explain the online poker world (who could?) in a few paragraphs. Clearly, playing 5,500 hands a day on average meant that he was playing multiple games -- something I'd never had the skills, or the patience for.
Some commenters also had a good point: Not everyone should try this at home. In the original (non-cut) version, I quote Pat Fowler from the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling, who, like a commenter, said that for everyone one Jason Mercier, there are dozens of college students who drop out, with no education and no job. Gambling addiction among college students has more than doubled because it's so easy to sit in your room and play online, she notes.
They also cut the kicker: that he bought his parents a new car, and that he offered them more money, but they said no.
His mom, Dottie: "It's his money. He won it, not us."


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Comments
Hey Dude,
Hope this doesn't come off as spam, but I happened upon your article while interviewing Jason for my own site. Was totally unaware that he bought his parents a car.
Anyway he sounded pretty eager to get back to the WSOP and prove his worth this year and his results in America have been picking up of late.
I'd like to read your interview with dude, but the link above is down. Is there another location to find it?
Apologies if this is double-posted and cheers,
Owen Laukkanen
PS, here's the link to my article: http://www.pokerlistings.com/2009-wsop-best-bets-jason-mercier-38255
Posted by: Owen Laukkanen | March 26, 2009 1:09 PM