The Worlds Series of Poker's First Blind Entrant
Jason Holbrook lost his site in a nearly fatal car accident, just before his 21st birthday, he never regained his site, and he never lost his love for the challenges of the game of poker.
Jason entered a poker satellite tournament in Bakersfield CA at the Golden West Casino, he won the tournament, and a seat in the World Series of Poker $10,000 main event. More than 9,000 poker players from around the world have already bought or won seats worth $10,000 the winner is expected to take home a prize even bigger than last years $12million first place prize.
Holbrook, now 37 said he is "super, super excited" and believes himself to be the first blind man in history to make it to the WSOP. Holbrook began playing poker as a five year old in his home town, Dawson Creek in located in British Columbia. Following the auto accident that took his site in 1991, spent a month in a coma, and awoke without the ability to see.
A little more than a year ago, Holbrook learned to play Hold'em, to play the game, an aide is utilized, his job is to whisper the cards, and betting information to him, however, Holbrook makes all play decisions entirely on his own.
Here at the WSOP where everyone is hiding their facial expressions with sweatshirt's, sunglasses, and other devices, how does one prepare for an opponent such as Holbrook who says, "I got my own sixth sense that's come in since I lost my sight," "I have to do it with my mind, since I can't see their eyes or faces. I think that's an advantage to me because I believe they can't see me either."