Blind WSOP player

**jetset** · 25th June 2007, 02:30 PM

BLIND WSOP GAMBLER HAS THE RIGHT STUFF

Blinded in a horrifying car crash, this poker player has made a major comeback

Perhaps one of the most heartwarming of the human stories emerging from the World Series of Poker currently running in Las Vegas is that of blind player Jason Holbrook which Fox News reported this week.

The Bakersfield, California man started playing America's favourite card game at the age of five and growing up to become a savvy player in family and community games. But it looked as if his poker days were over back in 1991 when, just before his 21st birthday, he was involved in a road accident in which his head was pinned beneath a truck and severely injured. Rescued in a coma, he awoke a month later to the medical news that his sight was irrevocably lost.

This did not deter him, however, and he has learned to play with a helper whispering what cards he holds, what the community cards are and what people are betting. The 'whisperer' does the same for the flop, turn and river, but isn't allowed to express any opinions or give Holbrook any extra information.

It was good enough to get the blind player a win worth a $10 000 World Series of Poker Main Event seat in a satellite competition at the Golden West Casino, and he intends to take the main prize at the Rio.

Holbrook is confident in his ability, and says he feels his blindness is really an advantage, allowing him to see tells other people can't.

When the Main Event starts July 6, Holbrook will be there competing with thousands of other entrants for the multi-million dollar grand prize and not expecting - or giving - any quarter.

**GGW Laurie** · 25th June 2007, 04:16 PM

i do hope he does well. we always take for granted our sight and hearing and now he is showing us the best of human nature

**whooosh** · 25th June 2007, 06:34 PM

i know, it's not funny at all, but i had to think of this:

http://plusev.net/d/20070305.html

**winbig** · 26th June 2007, 04:34 AM

Originally Posted by jetset

Allowing him to see tells other people can't.

If the opposing players aren't talking during the hand, then how's he going to get a tell from them? Their BO?

**The Ronin** · 26th June 2007, 01:09 PM

If the opposing players aren't talking during the hand, then how's he going to get a tell from them? Their BO?

Mostly through betting patterns. I have a good friend who is blind, she claims that she can pick up certain feelings and emotions from a person through sound and smell. With one of her primary senses gone, her remaining senses are far more acute then mine. She can tell when I am upset or excited etc usually without me even speaking. Sometimes its a bit creepy, but for the most part it is a lesson on how grateful I am to be able to see.

I also think the WSOP player will get somewhat softballed in the early stages of the main event. Seriously, would you want to be known as the guy who felted the blind dude?

Probably not.