In 2005, at the World Series of Poker, one of the biggest Omaha Hi Lo Tournaments was held. The Omaha Hi Lo Tournament took place in Rio and players threw over 1500 dollars in to be a part of the big game. Ultimately, a man from Arizona took home the huge jackpot and the customary gold tournament bracelet—Pat Poels won well over 270,000 dollars that Tuesday afternoon and went home smiling.

After two grueling days competing in the 2005 Omaha Hi Lo Tournament and playing against fantastic adversaries like John Lukas, Darrell Dickens, Jim Meehan, Dan Heimiller, Boris Shats, Bahram Kianfar, Minh Nguyen, and Pascal Perralt, it was Pat Poels who got to bring home the biggest winnings for first place in cold hard cash. Alternatively, John Lukas came in second in the Omaha Hi Lo Tournament, with winnings equal to over 139,000 dollars. Meanwhile, Jeff Duval placed 3rd, and brought home of 77,000 dollars in the 2005 Omaha Hi Lo Tournament.

Pat Poels is an extremely luck man—happily married with 3 children, his big winnings are merely the icing on his already happy life. Needless to say, his wife supported him through the entire process and even encouraged him to become a professional poker player. Nevertheless, the couple couldn't have been more surprised or pleased when Pat Poels brought home the most dough in the Omaha Hi Lo Tournament.

Obviously, this 37-year-old first time winner at the Omaha Hi Lo Tournament 2005, and former software designer is completely supported by his loving family. In pursuit of his dream, his wife stood behind him—even when he quit his steady job to become a professional poker player. Yet, who would of thought that this newcomer to the tables at the Omaha Hi Lo Tournament 2005 would have made out his first go round? In fact, Poels took home the third biggest jackpot in the last five years. Now that's a big achievement.

It certainly will be interesting to see what the next Omaha Hi Lo Tournament will bring—with so many great players destined for the gaming tables. Who knows whom the winner will be. Perhaps it will be a professional player of by gone years—or maybe, just maybe, it will be another lucky newcomer on the professional poker scene. Just like Pat Poels—keep your eyes on the 2006 World Series of Poker and the Omaha Hi Lo Tournament to find out.