LAS VEGAS, July 13, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Mr. Per Hildebrand, CEO and founder of 24hPoker, is in 20th place in the World Series of Poker (WSOP) and has a bit more than $1,000,000 in chips. He is one out of five Swedes remaining in the tournament where 58 players out of 5,661 remain. First prize is a stunning $7,500,000.
The WSOP is now in the final stages. A total of 5,661 players each paid $10,000 in the largest poker tournament ever. After four days only 58 remain and Mr Hildebrand is in 20th place with $1,017,000 in chips.
Per Hildebrand won a dramatic pot when he saw the flop with a pair of fours. The flop came rainbow 4, 5, 7 giving him trips of fours -- a very good hand in Texas Hold'em. After Per and his opponent raised and re-raised each other all Per's chips were in the pot to the astonishing amount of about $650,000. At this stage, no more bets could be made and the Danish opponent showed 7 and 8 of diamonds giving him a pair of sevens and a gutshot draw to the straight. The turn gives a six to complete the Dane's straight but this was of little help when the river is another six giving Per a full house and a huge pot.
Per Hildebrand, known never to show any emotions at the poker table exclaimed a loud and clear "YES!" together with an excited crowd and Per's poker nickname "Mr. Six-Six" will probably stick for a while in Las Vegas.
"I have played focused and stable during the week. Of course the large prize sums are attractive, but a place among the nine best players would represent an enormous marketing value for 24hPoker.com. Overnight the whole world would know about 24hPoker," says Per Hildebrand.
Per Hildebrand, who has a background as one of Sweden's most prominent poker players, founded 24hPoker 5 years ago. The company is planning a listing on the Stockholm Stock Exchange in 2006. The company supplies software for online gaming. Through subsidiaries they operate the gaming portal 24hPoker.com.
About 24hPoker
24hPoker AB is a Swedish-owned company active in the gaming industry. The company delivers software solutions for online gaming and turnkey solutions to clients who wish to quickly enter the gaming industry. Through subsidiaries, 24hPoker also operates its own gaming portal. 24hPoker AB owns 74% of B2B Poker AB which operates one of Europe's leading poker networks. For more information please visit 24hPoker.se