News / nono / 18 June 2008 / Leave a comment

The winner was Rob Hollink, from Groningen, Holland. He is a 46-year-old professional poker player. He is divorced and has three children.

Hollink becomes the first WSOP gold bracelet ever from the nation of Holland. Many great Dutch players have come close to winning. But Hollink goes down in history as the first to achieve a WSOP triumph.

Groningen is in the northernmost part of Holland. It is very near the German border.

Hollink collected $496,931 for first place. He also earned his first WSOP gold bracelet.

Hollink stated that he has been coming to the WSOP every year since 2001. He estimated that he has played 80-85 events, without much success. "I have won 15 tournaments in Europe, but every year I come here (to the WSOP) it has been bad luck for me," Hollink stated afterward. "But I guess this makes up for it now."

The champion stated that his favorite poker game is Pot-Limit Omaha. However, he has developed a special fondness for Limit Hold'em as well. He calls it his "second favorite game to play."