Yates turned his 1 cent investment into a dream poker trip with his wife and son and managed to make it into the money in the WSOP Main Event to score $19,500.
“In the summer I don't play poker,” Yates told PokerListings.com.
“I only play in the winter through 888poker on the internet. And I'd taken the money out and my wife said, 'Why don't you go for the World Series of Poker.' And I said, 'Okay.'”
Yates fought his way through the step qualifiers and took down a $13,000 WSOP package. It's his first time playing at the WSOP and he said it's been a very special experience.
“Maybe Next Year I'll Spend Two Pence”
Yates' first goal when he sat down at the Main Event? Make the money.
"I played as tight as a camel's ass in a sandstorm,” he joked.
“I've been folding ace-king, pocket queens. 99 per cent of the guys out there would never have folded what I folded to make sure I got the $15,000.”
After the bubble broke Yates was able to open up his game, making it all the way to 486th place out of 6,420 before getting eliminated.
It's safe to say his week at the WSOP has him hooked.
“It's just fantastic. I've got to do all this again next year. I might spend two pence next year. But I have to do it again. I just love it.”
While Yates now has more time to spend with his wife and son, over 300 poker players are still battling their way towards this year's title of world champion and the $7.5 million first-place prize.
Follow all the action with our “On-Demand” live coverage of the 2015 WSOP Main Event.
Check out the video with Tom Yates below.
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