Ken Aldridge left high school after 29 years of teaching and take a major diversify to online poker where he sharpened his skills for the 2009 World Series of Poker.

The retired teacher, taught 1,459 other poker players his lesson this year, by wiping away the $1,500 no-limit hold ‘em shorthanded event and $428,259 in first-place prize money.

Ken Aldridge 57 years old, is a recreational poker player originating from Pleasant Garden, North Carolina and has only cashed in two major poker happenings, with this event being his first World Series of Poker cash out.

Being interviewed after his win he said:
“I really don’t think I made many mistakes, I was very happy with how things went by. I think I was behind only one time the whole tournament when I was all-in”. The retired teacher is now $428,259 richer and an upcoming poker star.

Other well mentioned finishers include Rafe Furst (31st), David Daneshgar (33rd) and Joe Awada (44th).