poker superstars: Toronto ATM owner wins nearly $2 million at World Poker Tournament in Las Vegas

Davidson Matthew qualified through a $25 online tournament at
www.paradisepoker.com

NEW YORK, May 2 /CNW/ - Toronto's Davidson Matthew is $1,903,950 richer,
after coming in second at the World Poker Tournament at the Bellagio in Las
Vegas. This tournament is regarded as the most prestigious in the world next
to the World Series of Poker Main event.
Matthew, who is known as "ATMKing" because he is president of a Toronto-
based ATM company, qualified for the tournament through a $25 satellite
tournament win on ParadisePoker.com allowing him to head to Las Vegas to take
on some of his poker idols. The unknown Matthew beat all but one of the
renowned poker superstars!
Matthew began playing poker in February of 2004 and shifted his focus to
online poker at ParadisePoker.com in September of that year so he could play
at his own convenience. His play on ParadisePoker.com earned him a trip to
play with the "Who's Who" of the poker world including poker legends like
Doyle Brunson, Phil Hellmuth, Johnny Chan, and young superstar Phil Ivey.
"I was honoured to play with these players. Everywhere I looked there
were faces I had seen on TV," said Matthew. "I approached the tournament in a
businesslike manner, my initial goal was to win $46,000, but as I advanced
round after round I readjusted my expectations, and by the end I was going for
it all!"
Down to the final two, Matthews faced local Las Vegas threat, Joseph
Bartholdi. With just his wife there to cheer him on and his opponent boasting
an entourage, Matthew (the button) led off and Bartholdi (big blind) checked
behind him. The flop came up ace of hearts, nine of clubs and eight of hearts.
Bartholdi checked, Matthew bet $800,000, Bartholdi raised to $2 million. At
that point Matthew grabbed all of his chips and moved all-in. Bartholdi
called.
Matthew showed the ten and four of hearts for a flush draw. Bartholdi
showed a nine of diamonds and a five of hearts for a pair of nines. The turn
revealed a two of diamonds and the river the ace of diamonds giving Bartholdi
the win with two pairs.
With his winnings, Matthew plans to pay off some debts and embark on a
professional poker career.

About ParadisePoker.com (www.paradisepoker.com):
ParadisePoker.com is one of the original online poker rooms, offering the
safest and most secure entertaining environment for customers. Established in
1999, ParadisePoker.com joined forces with Sportingbet PLC in 2004, (LSE:
SBT). Sportingbet is headquartered in London, England and is the world's
largest publicly traded online betting, gambling, and gaming company.

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For further information: John Thibodeau, ParadisePoker.com,
1-866-505-2900, John@MediaProfile.com