Poker Race Trophy Winner in Curitiba: 4erkess

The first of the six qualifiers has already won his place at the huge $500,000 final in Vienna. The young Latvian is guaranteed to walk away with at least $10,000 in the final.

Here's a brief profile of 4erkess, the first Poker Race Trophy finalist.

4erkess, 22, comes from Latvia and has been playing on PokerRoom.com since 2005. The student and football referee doesn't need any big poker idols, he just learns from them. And learnt well he has, winning the first semi-final of the Poker Race Trophy in an exciting heads-up. His winning hand – A5 suited.

Age:	22
Nationality:	Latvian, from Ventspils
PokerRoom.com member since:	13 Oct. 2005
Playing poker for:	3 years
About him:	Learns from the big poker professionals
Poker idols:	None
Favourite poker game:	Texas Hold'em
Favourite structure:	No limit
Hobbies:	Spending time with his girlfriend and friends
His path to the final:	Heads-up CheckNorris vs. 4erkess Blinds 1000/2000 Heads up always a tense time and this was no exception. The blinds were 1000/2000. Check had Kh 8s, 4erkess was holding 5h Ah. Check raised to 5000 back and forth with the calls and calls again business, before Check goes all in. And the board? Well that would surprise us all. Ac 10c 3h to start with followed by 3d and to finish with? Two pair of Aces and threes takes 4erkess from Brazil to the $500,000 Guaranteed final in Vienna!