'Just a performance' for poker star

2007-06-14 16:58:46

A former opera singer viewed her quarter-million dollar World Series of Poker (WSoP) win as "just another performance" recently, it has emerged.

Sally Boyer told Associated Press (AP) that her aim to finish in the top 99 soon turned to a desire to reach as high as possible in the ladies event.

And for the player, who took up the game a year ago, the effort culminated in a first-place result and a payout of $262,077 (£132,852).

"I kind of went in there with the attitude this is just another performance for me," she told AP.

"They paid 99 spots and then when I got there, I thought I want to just keep playing and doing better," she added.

However, the victory was only secured when Boyer hit a pair of deuces on the river having pushed all-in against opponent Anne Heft's king-ten.

Contest entrant Margie Heintz was the WSoP's first female dealer, taking part in the 1977 tournament.

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