by Hillary LaClair, Senior Editor
Move over Doyle Brunson – there’s a new old schooler in town. 67 year-old retired real estate broker Glem Witmer took how the $1.2 million main prize at Fallsview Casino at Niagra Falls this week in the North American Poker Championship.
An amateur to the online poker industry, Witmer survived his 454 opposing entrees over a grueling 7 days, in just his second major buy-in internet poker tourney. Witmer was joined by 41 year-old fellow amateur Jim Trenholm at the final table against four high profile professionals.
Trenholm, a firefighter, was the first eliminated at the final table, followed soon after by Ottawa poker pro Marc Karam. Karam took home a fifth place winning of $171,175. Fourth place Ryan Fisler was the next to go home with a paycheck of $228,234.
Kathy Leibert, a highly respected US pro, was eliminated in third place, taking home $277,684 and leaving Witmer to face high profile tournament pro Gavin Smith. Smith, who lives in Vegas, is a long time pro, both online and off.
In the end, Smith went all-in with pocket fives, and Witmer called with Ace-King. The cards favored Smith on the flop, but an Ace popped up on the river, sending Smith home with $532,545 and making Witmer the new champ.
Witmer “satellited” into the tournament for an entrée fee of $170, and took more over one million. When asked what he intends to do with his winnings, Witmer said he had celebrated his 47th wedding anniversary during the championship and would therefore take his wife on an extended vacation.
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