News Releases

KU grad uses business skills to become poker hero

Thursday, June 12, 2008

LAS VEGAS - Twenty-eight year old Grant Hinkle paired his poker skills and business smarts to turn a $1500 seat into $831,462 in prize money at the 2008 World Series of Poker Tournament June 4 in Las Vegas. Hinkle graduated from KU with a B.S. in Business Administration in 2003 andcurrently works at Archer Technologies in Kansas City.

"My wife and I had been looking at buying a new house the last couple of years," Hinkle said. "This will definitely help."

Grant's mother, Lynn Hinkle, who attended the final 16 hours of the three-day event, said her son drew inspiration from the KU Jayhawks' championship year whenever he faced a tight spot during the game. She was particularly impressed to watch him use business skills to maximize his winnings.

"I gained great respect for the business skills it takes to play at that level, and I understand why Wall Street firms recruit these guys for their abilities to strategize, read others at the table, make decisions under pressure, calculate odds and negotiate," Lynn Hinkle said. "Grant made an endorsement deal an hour before the ESPN interview to wear the bodogª logo and increase his prize money even more. I am very proud and exhausted after the marathon three days."

ESPN will televise the three-day game that Hinkle won on July 29. The 2008 World Series of Poker Tournament (WSOP) continues until July 14 and Hinkle plans to return to Las Vegas to invest $10,000 of his winnings by playing in the July finals.

This is the second time Grant Hinkle entered the WSOP event, but this year was the first time he made it to the final table. He currently ranks eighth in the tournament's total performance ranking.

For more information on the tournament, visit www.worldseriesofpoker.com.