Would winning $573,204 be ‘life changing’ money for you?

How much money is life changing for you? I posed that question to Rep Porter, a professional poker player from Woodinville after his incredible run at this year’s World Series of Poker in Las Vegas.

Every summer, tens of thousands of card enthusiasts (including yours truly) make the trek to Sin City to mix it up with big boys on the felt.

With over $200 million – you read that right, over two hundred million dollars – in prize money up for grabs at 62 different events, everyone asks the same question as they sit down to the table: “Why not me?”

Obviously, the vast majority of players end up busting (including me) and taking home nothing more than a good story to tell their friends and families. But a precious few play well and catch some cards.

In the poker world they call that “run good.”

Well, Rep had his fair share of “run good” this summer in the $10,000 buy-in Main Event. Even though he won over half a million dollars, there were only 11 other players out of the 6,352 standing between him and the grand prize of $8,359,531.

I sat down with Rep at a local Starbucks and we talked about his amazing run, and for the poker nerds out there, we did an additional segment on some tournament strategy you can listen to here.

If you’re wondering how I did in my 5 events? Well, let’s just say that it was a learning experience. And, after talking with a great poker mind like Rep, I’ve got a lot to learn.