Guinther, 65, entered what he thought was a
$10 online Texas Holdem poker tournament, but midway through he realized
that he had accidentally clicked on a World Series of Poker satellite
tournament with a $100 entry fee and it was too late to back out. He
went on to win, defeating 180 other competitors and earning a spot in
the WSOP $10,000 no-limit championship.
The tournament, which begins Thursday, will
involve more than 6,600 players who either qualified by winning a
satellite tournament or paid the $10,000 entry fee.
``This is the dream of a lifetime,''
Guinther said. ``I watch these guys on television all the time, and I'm
excited about the chance to sit down and play with them.''
Guinther's son, Rik, kept tabs on his
father's progress from his home computer in San Antonio and had to
explain just what the victory meant.
``When I won, I let out a big Yes!''
Guinther said. ``I just thought I had won $11,000, but then my son told
me over the phone, 'Dad, you've just won a seat in the World Series of
Poker!' I screamed so loud, you wouldn't believe it.''
Guinther, who settled in Killeen after
retiring as an Army sergeant first class in 1985, says he's a little
nervous about the next step but knows he'll be fine once play begins.
