All In: Lake Minnetonka Man Wins Entry into 2013 World Series of Poker

Rodney Colson has been playing poker for about a decade, but no pot was as big as the prize he won last week during a one-day tournament at Canterbury Park—an entry into the World Series of Poker.

"It's my dream to play in this tournament, so it's really cool," he said. "I'm stoked about it."

Colson and his wife, Stacy, live in Excelsior and have five boys—including twin 4-year-olds. Colson is a custom home builder by trade and works primarily in the Lake Minnetonka area.

Value of the World Series of Poker entry is $10,000. The tournament begins next month in Las Vegas and will include the world's best players—including legendary names like Doyle Brunson, Phil Helmuth and Phil Ivey.

"I'm just a little guy, so I'll be keeping my mouth shut and sitting back trying to enjoy it, yet staying focused and on point to advance," Colson said. "These guys play poker everyday—that's all they do."

Colson has played cards in Las Vegas a few times over the years, but the World Series of Poker will far and away be the biggest tournament of his life—one that with a solid finish could vault him into the sport's elite echelon and simultaneously earn him a huge payday. 

"The prizes can be pretty substantial," Colson said. "Last year they paid all the way down to the 666th player, who won $11,000 or something like that."

The field for the 2013 World Series of Poker will be split into thirds at the start of play. After a few days of eliminations, entrants will be divided into halves before playing as a single group during the tournament's third phase.

"From there you play all the way through until it gets down to nine players," Colson said. "They call that the 'November Nine,' and that will be the final table that will be played in November as a live event."

The 9th place finisher will walk away with around $1 million. The 2012 World Series of Poker had a prize pool north of $60 million.

Colson's home poker turf is Canterbury Park, where he plays two or three times a month. In addition to power hands like two (or "pocket") aces, pocket kings and ace/king, Colson said one of his favorite hands to play is queen/10.

"It can be an expensive hand to play, but I tend to play it almost every time I get it," he said.

As for nerves, Colson says he'll make a point to remind himself to keep calm and stick with the style of play he's used to and that earned him the trip to Vegas.

"I'm a little nervous about getting knocked out early, but I think if I keep my cool I should be able to advance into the tournament," Colson said.

A few buddies will accompany Colson to the World Series of Poker, and he knows a few other players from other states who have likewise qualified for the tournament.

Colson isn't the first area poker player to qualify for the World Series of Poker. St. Louis Park resident Jason Senti played in both the 2010 and 2011 events and won $1.7 million after finishing 7th in 2011.