Canadian Player Scoops Caribbean Poker Prize

Big win for young Canadian poker player.

Poorya Nazari, an online qualifier from Toronto, has become $3 million (£2.04 million) richer after winning the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure (PCA).

The 22-year-old Canadian spent just $700 to secure his place at the poker event in the Bahamas, but outlasted a record PCA field of 1,347 players to pocket the first prize.

Speaking to the European Poker Tour (EPT) website afterwards, Nazari said: "It was only today that I started thinking about winning.

"At one point yesterday I was down to virtually nothing, but I got off to a good start today and at that point I thought I might have a shot."

Nazari will make his first ever trip to Europe for the EPT Grand Final, which takes place at the Monte Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort from April 28th to May 3rd.

John Duthie, executive producer of the EPT, confirmed that the main event at this year's PCA had broken the attendance record for poker tournaments outside the US.

He said: "The recent worldwide financial crisis did nothing to deter more than 1,300 people entering the $10,000 buy-in main event."

The next EPT event takes place in Deauville, France, later this month.