Unique pair from Troy among players in World Series of Poker tournament

TROY — Shaun Deeb and his grandmother, Ellen Deeb, are Collar City poker players who entered the fifth largest live poker tournament in history for the World Series of Poker. The $10,000 Texas Hold’em Championship tournament took place July 7 to 16 at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas with 6,598 entries from 82 different countries. Shaun was introduced to poker by his grandmother when he was 5 years old. He spent most of his time with her by playing multiple card games and has been testing his luck ever since. When he was 16 years old, he would have poker games at his house. “I’ve always played card games,” Shaun said. He has been traveling around the world and living out of hotels to play poker. Now at age 26, Shaun is considered to be a pro in the poker world. Ellen started playing poker around the age of six with the help from some of her six older brothers. Ellen who is now 92, was the oldest person entered in the World Series of Poker Main Event both this year and last thanks to her grandson. The buy-in was $10,000 which Shaun paid for both him and his grandma. She said she was excited to play in the tournament and said it was great to be a part of it. On the first day of the tournament, Ellen provided shuffle up and deal which she was told is a big deal because usually celebrities provide that. “I was able to thanks to my grandson,” she said. “He has a great reputation with WSOP.” After a few good breaks and then a very bad one, she was eliminated on day 1C of the competition. “I thought I did very well,” Ellen said. “I’m proud to be the age that I am and still be playing poker.” She said she played better at this year’s tournament versus then last years and she is still playing poker locally. Shaun had a good run until he busted the event on day four walking away with $32,000. “There’s so much skill that goes into playing poker,” Shaun said. “You use the knowledge you have until other people are in.” Shaun has two World Championship of Online Poker titles and sixteen World Series of Poker in the money finishes. He said he enjoys his professional poker player lifestyle and continues to travel and play cards.