888poker qualifier and PokerListings player Belinda Roberts is living the WSOP dream.
A 49-year-old former dealer from Australia, Roberts is hard to miss on Day 1b of the 2010 Main Event with her trademark Australian Bush hat and mosquito veil.
Roberts qualified through PokerListings’ exclusive VIP Champion Camp freeroll on 888poker where she outlasted over 700 players to win a seat in the Main Event.
“I’ve been dreaming of sitting under these lights for so many years,” said Roberts. “I was actually planning on 2011 Aussie Millions and hopefully satellite into the Main Event but I was instead able to qualify through PokerListings.”
Despite running a king-high flush into an ace-high flush in the first level, Roberts was optimistic about her chances in the tournament.
“I’m calming down a bit,” she said. “It takes awhile. This morning I was really, really nervous. Now I’m starting to watch the players and see how they are playing.”
Roberts not only won her seat into the tournament but also received her accommodations and flight from PokerListings. She will also get to take part in a number of VIP experiences this summer including shopping sprees and spas.
When Roberts won the package she actually had option of taking the cash for the seat but the fact accommodations and travel were paid for proved too enticing.
“I couldn’t miss the opportunity of coming out to the World Series of Poker,” she said.
An avid poker fan, Roberts watches the game whenever she can including the WSOP, Aussie Millions or just random YouTube videos.
“I’ve always been fascinated by it,” she said. Roberts also took a moment to explain her unique choice of headwear.
“It’s an Aussie thing to keep out all the flies,” she said. “I suppose it’s something that identifies who I am and gives me the added bonus that you can’t see my face. It’s sort of a joke amongst my friends and family.”
Roberts and 31-year-old North Dakotan Ben Blair make up the entirety of the PokerListings’ Champion Camp this year and will both attempt to parlay their freeroll tournament win into a deep run in this year’s WSOP Main Event.
The 2010 WSOP continues through July 17. For comprehensive coverage of the WSOP tune in to PokerListings’ Live Updates and News.
