23-year-old is first Canadian to win poker world series

Las Vegas — Quebec poker professional Jonathan Duhamel said he worked a series of bad jobs before getting into cards and making his living online at tables with $5 and $10 minimums.

Now — if he wants — he might never have to work again.

Duhamel won the World Series of Poker title and $8.94 million on Monday night, becoming the first Canadian to take down the no-limit Texas Hold ‘em main event in Las Vegas.

“It is surreal. I could never dream of that. It’s so huge — so big — it’s a dream come true for me,” Duhamel said after winning the gold bracelet. “I don’t know what to think right now, I don’t even know what I feel. It’s just — it’s amazing.”

Duhamel, who said poker has been his primary income for the past two years, was spending the night partying like a high roller with 125 friends and family in an unrentable suite at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino. Many in his group donned Montreal Canadians jerseys in an ode to their hometown and national pastime.