22 year old Shankar Pillai of Commack, NY, is a half million dollars richer, thanks to his big win at the 2007 World Series of Poker. The first-time competitor was one of more than 800 players who put up $3,000 to buy into the no-limit, Texas hold 'em poker event. Pillai plays online poker since the age of 15.

"I'd never played in a World Series of Poker event. I wanted to give it a shot," said Pillai, who won $527,829. "It was pretty intimidating. We played for 12 and 14 hours a day. But, I would say I held my own. I make a lot of money online, enough to pay tuition and bills and to put some into the bank," he said.
The Finance Major is using online poker to pay for his college tuition. Well, that problem is solved now, he can go for his Masters Degree as well.
At first, he said, his parents had no clue he was a cyber card sharp, but that changed when checks started arriving at the family home with his name on them.
"They didn't like it, but when they saw how much I was winning, they said it would be OK, as long as I stayed in school. Now, after this, they don't think it's so bad," he chuckled.
His poker hero is none other than celeb poker pro Phil Hellmuth, for whom he got a chance to play with recently.
"It was a really good experience. Even coming in, I told myself, I really wanna play with someone who I really look up to - basically, just to see what it's like. At first it was so nerve-wracking, and I felt like he just knew what I had every single time. And I just got used to it. I'm so happy I played with the best in the world and still came out and took it down."

If he continues like that, he will be a a serious competitor for Phil Hellmuth in the future. Good Luck young man!

Dr. Poker ; source: www.gambling911.com