The World Series of Poker — the one you see on ESPN — makes stars out of people who play their cards right.

If his luck holds up, you might be seeing Broward Circuit Court judge Steven Feren.

He has done quite well so far.

Feren will sit down at the World Series main event’s third round today in the top one-third (No. 667) of the 2,044 surviving players.

Starting field: 6,494.

“I’m thrilled,” said Feren, who was a Sunrise mayor for 12 years before become a judge this year. (He also was a commissioner and state legislator.) “So many great pros are out and I’m still here.”

Feren, who is burning his vacation time, didn’t tell many people he was going to Las Vegas. He didn’t want to open his mouth, then get sent home early.

A main event entry costs $10,000, but Feren is playing on house money: He won a seat in a charity event.

“I’d never spend $10,000 of my own money to play,” he said.

Feren made news earlier this year when he asked the city to bump the $200-a-month health insurance check for retiring city leaders up to $350 a month, to match what the city’s general employees get. He makes $145,080 as a circuit court judge.

He won the seat in a Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County charity tournament in spring 2008. But he was busy running for circuit judge, so he deferred until this year.

Feren’s goal today is to finish in the money. That’ll be the top 648, and pay at least $20,000.
“To be in the poker records for all time, to me that would mean something,” he said.

If he cashes, he’ll give a portion to the Boys and Girls Club — after he clears the unexpected expenses of staying in Las Vegas longer.

“I really didn’t expect to make Day 3,” he said.