Testimonials

Bellevue man hits it big in pro poker
By JESSICA HOPP

Comic books were the tender of choice for Stanley Weiss and his poker-playing buddies on the streets in 1950s New York City.

Dozens traveled through the 7-year-old's hands, guided not by an evil villain but an errant ace or rouge queen.

Now 60, the Bellevue resident has traded Batman for Benjamins — lots of them.

As champion of the World Poker Tour's 2006 Mirage Poker Showdown, Weiss collected $1,294,755. The triumph put him on the poker map, and these days that amounts to being famous.

More to it than cards

"Sure, you can sit down and get into any tournament as long as you put the money down or win a one-table satellite," he said, "but it's not all the cards. You have to read the players and you have to have a plan."

When the Travel Channel began the World Poker Tour in 2003, the game morphed from a six-pack-and-beer-nuts pastime into mainstream television fare.

When ESPN followed suit with its World Series of Poker, the game became sport. And poker became a much bigger part of the multibillion-dollar pot that is sports gambling.

Weiss said his game evolved from comic-book bets to half-dollar stakes in high school. Years later he wound up in Las Vegas at the same time as a tour tournament. By winning a $60 satellite event at the Mirage, he earned his $100,000 buy-in to the main event.

"I always thought I could play with these guys, but you never really know," Weiss said. "A friend of mine from New York would call and say, 'Stan you are as good as them.' I would say, 'Yeah, we are sitting here, I am in my skivvies, watching the World Poker Tour on TV. We could sit here and say whatever we want, but until we actually do it and play against these guys you really don't know for sure.' "

Friends followed online

Through the first days of the tournament, Judy Weiss monitored her husband's progress online. Relatives and friends across the country did, too.

When Weiss made the cut to the final table, Judy, daughter Hollie, son Scott and poker buddy James Johnson hopped a plane to Las Vegas.

Hours later, in front of a TV audience, Weiss declared all-in with a five of diamonds and a king of spades. When a five of hearts showed up on the river, he was champion.

Weiss landed a spot in the $25,000 World Poker Tour championship next year.

"It is finally starting to sink in that I did win," Weiss said. "It is just something I enjoy doing. I was glad I won. It was an interesting day to say the least."

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Bellevue man hits it big in pro poker By JESSICA HOPP Comic books were the tender of choice for Stanley Weiss and his poker-playing buddies on the streets in 1950s New York City. Dozens traveled through the 7-year-old's hands, guided not by an evil villain but an errant ace or rouge queen. Now 60, the Bellevue resident has traded Batman for Benjamins — lots of them. As champion of the World Poker Tour's 2006 Mirage Poker Showdown, Weiss collected $1,294,755. The triumph put him on the poker map, and these days that amounts to being famous. More to it than cards "Sure, you can sit down and get into any tournament as long as you put the money down or win a one-table satellite," he said, "but it's not all the cards. You have to read the players and you have to have a plan." When the Travel Channel began the World Poker Tour in 2003, the game morphed from a six-pack-and-beer-nuts pastime into mainstream television fare. When ESPN followed suit with its World Series of Poker, the game became sport. And poker became a much bigger part of the multibillion-dollar pot that is sports gambling. Weiss said his game evolved from comic-book bets to half-dollar stakes in high school. Years later he wound up in Las Vegas at the same time as a tour tournament. By winning a $60 satellite event at the Mirage, he earned his $100,000 buy-in to the main event. "I always thought I could play with these guys, but you never really know," Weiss said. "A friend of mine from New York would call and say, 'Stan you are as good as them.' I would say, 'Yeah, we are sitting here, I am in my skivvies, watching the World Poker Tour on TV. We could sit here and say whatever we want, but until we actually do it and play against these guys you really don't know for sure.' " Friends followed online Through the first days of the tournament, Judy Weiss monitored her husband's progress online. Relatives and friends across the country did, too. When Weiss made the cut to the final table, Judy, daughter Hollie, son Scott and poker buddy James Johnson hopped a plane to Las Vegas. Hours later, in front of a TV audience, Weiss declared all-in with a five of diamonds and a king of spades. When a five of hearts showed up on the river, he was champion. Weiss landed a spot in the $25,000 World Poker Tour championship next year. "It is finally starting to sink in that I did win," Weiss said. "It is just something I enjoy doing. I was glad I won. It was an interesting day to say the least."