Cancer Sufferer Enjoys Poker Chance In Las Vegas

Online poker firm gives seat at WSOP main event to poker fan with blood cancer.

Kent Senter, a 55-year-old novice player from Pittsburgh, experienced the lifestyle of a top poker pro at the World Series of Poker (WSOP) main event this week.

Mr Senter, who has been diagnosed with the blood cancer multiple myeloma and given a maximum of three years to live by doctors, was given a seat at the tournament by an online poker firm and Bluff magazine.

With all expenses paid, he travelled to Las Vegas with his wife and two of his children to take part in the event, reaching the second day before being eliminated, USA Today reports.

Mr Senter described the experience as "a dream come true" and was pleased with his performance on the biggest stage in poker.

He told the publication: "I really haven't played poker. I watch it on ESPN. So to be sitting there when a lot of these pros had already been knocked out was unbelievable."

The poker fan was interviewed by ESPN after the tournament and received a visit from rapper Nelly, who also took part in the main event, at his hotel.

Nelly was one of several celebrities playing on Day 1a (July 3rd) of the main event, when Seinfeld's Jason Alexander and winner of the 2005 ladies' event Jennifer Tilly also took part.