Not many people get paid for going on vacation. On the contrary, most scrimp and save for those seven fleeting days of sun, sand and surf.But Derek Brown knows how to put his skills to good use under the pressure of hot lights and glaring stares, never minding the idea that vacations are supposed to be stress-free. The 22-year-old earned $5,000 in cash and the $10,000 winning bracelet after winning a Texas Hold'em poker tournament at the Crystal Palace Casino while vacationing with his girlfriend and her family in the Bahamas."The money is already spent," said Brown, suggesting perhaps he couldn't resist a blow-out celebration or decadent shopping spree. "I did the smart thing and put it on my credit line."Brown said he and his girlfriend Bri-Ann Hoyrup's brother Jon stumbled upon the tournament and decided to shell out the $150 buy-ins to play against some serious players. While Brown previously won the only other poker tournament he had entered, he soon realized that many of his competitors consider the game a full-time job."I was talking to some guys at the final table and they were saying they play three to four tournaments a week," he said.Brown and Hoyrup were two of 140 poker players vying for $20,000 in total prize money and the coveted gold, diamond encrusted bracelet - the trophy of cards. With 14 tables surrounded by 10 players each, the Squamish pair survived the first round and the elimination of 100 players.Brown said he wasn't surprised at their early success."You just do your job and come back tomorrow."With four tables of 10 players, Hoyrup was eliminated on the second day, but Brown eventually knocked off the 11th survivor to advance to the final table of 10."From then on I just kind of sat there," he said. "A few people went out and the next thing I know it's down to four of us and one of the guys suggested we split the money."Brown and the three others accepted the chip leader's offer, giving each player $5,000. However, the bracelet was still on the table and the game came down to Brown and a female competitor exchanging all-in bets.Brown eventually put it all on the line with a pocket pair of twos - hearts and clubs. The pair held up against his competitor's queen and ace of diamonds, and he also pulled off a flush with hearts.Brown partly attributes his win to his parents, who gave him a couple of poker books to study."So it was definitely a good investment," he laughed. "I'm starting to get a little more serious now that I'm winning money."Brown's poker practice consists of playing online and with buddies about twice a week while taking the odd trip to the casino. Although he's only been playing the game for about 18 months, he said he's going to stick with the strategy that works."I'm cautiously aggressive - that pretty much sums it up."
