Freeroller Dan Livingston wins WSOPC Chicago

Monday, Oct. 26, 2009

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Freeroller wins WSOPC Chicago

Chicago World Series of Poker Circuit champion Dan Livingston.

By PokerListings.com

An out-of-work, part-time poker player who freerolled his way into the tournament took down the World Series of Poker Circuit championship event outside Chicago this weekend.

"I have always wanted to win a gold bracelet, but I must say that the gold ring will do for now," said 22-year-old  Dan Livingston, who gained entry into the $5,200 tournament through one of a series of random draws inside the Horseshoe Casino Poker Room in Hammond, Indiana, where the event was held.

Livingston, who recently left his job working in an auto-detailing shop, outlasted a field of 248 to win the $291,749 first-place prize and was ecstatic following the win

"40 hours of work for nearly $300,000?" Livingston said. "I'll take it."

Prior to the win, the Oak Forest, Illinois resident typical played $100 buy-in tournaments at the Horseshoe and his biggest cash to date was a $4,000 score online.

He is now considering taking up poker as a career.

"This win was a big confidence booster," he said. "It's going to make me consider giving poker a shot. I am going to see if I can play for a living."

Livingston beat Indian Head Park, Illinois' Tom Floros heads up, who also won his seat through the same random giveaway at the Horseshoe Casino.

Floros turned his freeroll into $180,287.

This is just the second year the WSOP Circuit has come to Hammond.

Attendance at the championship event increased by 54% over 2008, when WSOP bracelet winner Steve Billirakis beat a field of 164 to take the title. Billirakis did not play this year.

Including side events, overall attendance at the Horseshoe was up 12% over last year and prize money increased by 20%.

The next stop on the WSOP Circuit is at the Horseshoe Southern Indiana. Side events have already begun and the Championship starts Oct. 31.

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