![NCH - NEWS - Retiree Jon Campbell [red sleeves] is heading to Las Vegas to compete in the world series of poker - shows him playing poker with his friends at the Five Islands Recreation Club at Speers Point - 19th June 2014 photo by Peter Stoop](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-feed-data/727d187d-5a5e-4b9d-98c5-f937f8a3e54f.jpg/r0_0_4961_2784_w576_h298_fmax.webp "NCH - NEWS - Retiree Jon Campbell [red sleeves] is heading to Las Vegas to compete in the world series of poker - shows him playing poker with his friends at the Five Islands Recreation Club at Speers Point - 19th June 2014 photo by Peter Stoop")
A WALLSEND retiree who plays poker with his mates at two Lake Macquarie clubs has won his way to Las Vegas to compete for a guaranteed $10 million first prize at the World Series of Poker Main Event.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Jonathan Campbell, 62, reserved his spot at the mecca of poker after claiming an Australian Poker League play-off event at Wests Cardiff, winning a $17,000 WSOP package and $1000 in cash.
The package will cover Mr Campbell's $10,000 entry into the world's biggest poker game as well as his flights to the US and accommodation in Las Vegas.
He will compete against an estimated 6500 poker players from around the world for a coveted WSOP bracelet and a share in millions of dollars.
Mr Campbell - a grandfather and former employee at Tomago Aluminium - started playing eight years ago and said it had always been a dream to play in a World Series of Poker event.
"In 2006 I heard the APL were starting up so I went along to a few games at Speers Point and Cardiff and I've just stuck with those venues," he said.
"I used to watch the games on TV and told my family I would love to get over there, but I couldn't afford to buy a ticket to get there or buy entry into the event.
"I knew I would have to win my way in and its taken eight years, but it has all been worth it."
Mr Campbell has had success in the past, winning the state championships in 2012, and said he had learnt to take the good hands with the bad.
"Everything doesn't go your way all the time, I was on a good run last month, this month hasn't been as good, but that happens, sometimes the hands don't hold up," he said.
"I've been playing for nearly nine years and you've got to be persistent, your luck will change."
He said his mates at the Five Islands Recreation Club were excited he had the opportunity to play against the best in the world.
Mr Campbell described himself as a tight player who picked his moments when to be aggressive or loosen up.
The World Series of Poker Main Event begins on July 5 at the Rio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Last year's winner, Ryan Riess from the US, topped 6352 competitors to walk away with $8,361,570. This year is the 10th successive year the event has been held at the same location, prompting the casino to guarantee a $10 million first prize.
Mr Campbell praised the APL, who offer nightly tournaments around NSW, with many tournaments free to play.
Meanwhile, Kurri Kurri cleaner Tania Hunter will also be heading to Las Vegas to compete in a $1500 No Limit Hold 'Em game, a lead-up to the main event.
The 40-year-old grandmother gained entry by winning the state championship in March, an event she qualified for after winning a free tournament at Kurri Kurri Workers Club.
She won a $5500 package and $5000 in cash after taking out the event against a field of 500 people at Gosford RSL. She will compete against 2500 poker players for a chance at $600,000.
Ms Hunter said she took up poker after she got bored with darts five years ago and had been playing at Kurri Kurri ever since.
"When I won the state championship I was on the phone to my partner, screaming at him "I'm going to Las Vegas".
"I'm not going over there with any grand delusions that I'm going to win cash or anything, but I'll be competing at a World Series of Poker event so I'll already be winning, anything else is a bonus."
