Monday 1st of May 2006
Las Vegas -- While many poker players secretly harbor Champagne Wishes and Caviar Dreams, fantasy became reality for one online card player who parlayed a buy-in of $2,500 into a cashout of over half a million dollars.
Christer Johansson, a serious recreational poker enthusiast, used skill, patience and a dash of good fortune to reap a windfall of $520,370 playing poker at online sportsbook Caribsports.com. The player's winning streak went from July 30, 2005 to March 20, 2006.
Johansson, a native of Hollviken, Sweden, said playing poker online was a convenient alternative to trying to find a game where he lives. He cited the rewards of skillful playing aided by an occasional lucky turn of the cards for his success.
Johansson competed with players from Ongame.com through the poker network at Caribsports.com. His favorite game is Hold’em Poker. While he enjoys trying a good bluff once in a while, he prefers being aggressive when he has either a good or potentially strong hand.
Studying other players and learning their tendencies is a key to Johannson's poker strategy.
The ability to play day or night is important to Johansson. "My schedule is unpredictable, so I truly appreciate being able to find a game when I am free," he said.
"We're happy when our players win," said casino manager Sarita of Carib Sports. "They enjoy the convenience of being able to play from home, work, or almost anywhere. Our customers take advantage of the variety of games and the security that we provide. Of course, when a player wins half a million dollars, we believe that is news worth sharing with others."
In recent years, poker has enjoyed a renaissance, with games such as Texas Hold’em and Omaha capturing the public's fancy. Fueling the resurgence is the explosive growth of online poker.
Although estimates of the current size and growth rates of the online poker market vary, the amount of money gambled on poker websites worldwide in 2005 is estimated in excess of $60 billion, according to the Media and Entertainment Consulting Network (MECN).
According to an MECN survey, more than 60 percent of e-gaming authorities believe that online poker will become the dominant choice of Internet gamblers within two to three years.
Caribsports.com is a full service online sportsbook, racebook, casino and poker room. It operates under a Preferred License issued by the Director of Offshore Gaming, Antigua and Barbuda.
Founded in 1993, Caribsports.com is a pioneer of the offshore gaming industry and is known for its credo, "You Play, We Pay." Since its inception, it has paid out over $300 million to its customers. Currently it services over 13,000 active customers in North America, Europe and Asia.
