Brian Sumner from Smirna, Tennessee, is probably a very lucky man. That's about the only reasonable way of explaining how a relatively amateur poker player, who has never cashed or won any live tournament before, could win the 1st place of the WPT No Limit Hold'em Championship in the WPT Season 5 World Poker Open on January 25th, 2007. Not only did Brian Sumner make it to the top, but he also made it big time, taking home $913,986 and a $25,000 seat for the WPT World Championship.
The unexpected victory of Brian Sumner over a few of his poker-idols – including Daniel Negreanu, against whom Brian Sumner played the last few moves in the final table – put not only the crowd, but also Brian himself in a state of shock. He wasn't hoping, in his wildest dreams, to win nearly a million dollars on his first appearance in a live tournament. When he was interviewed after the grand victory, Brian Sumner said he didn't even think about what he wanted to do with the money yet. He said he might get a new car and maybe buy a house as well, but besides that – he couldn't tell.
No one had really noticed Brian Sumner before this amazing winning, and apparently this was his only major achievement so far. He hasn't won any cash prized or live tournaments before that WPT No Limit Hold'em Championship nor since. 33 year old Brian Sumner (born in 1975) struck the world in amazement as he won the WPT No Hold'em Championship, but one that reaches a height such as this, and on his first live tournament winning, is expected to continue playing and at least give the crowd some more sensational appearances to talk about later. Brian Sumner didn't act accordingly, at least not so far, but perhaps one day he will return to the poker ring and prove that he is not a one-time winner. Perhaps.
Brian Sumner Quick Facts
Cashes: 1
Total Winnings: $913,986
First Place Finishes: 1
WSOP Bracelets: 0
