<headline>Robber relieves poker pro of $30,000</headline>
<!--articleTools Top--> <byline>Matthew Burgess</byline><date></date>
An American poker player who was robbed of $30,000 in winnings in Melbourne's CBD this morning believes he was targeted by his assailant.
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<bod> </bod> Jason Potter, 22, of Oklahoma, was walking to the Crowne Plaza Hotel after cashing his chips at Crown Casino and buying a snack when he was attacked on Spencer Street bridge about 4.30am.
Mr Potter, who placed 31st in the Aussie Millions Poker Championship at Crown Casino and was due to fly out of Melbourne eight hours after the attack, said he heard footsteps before he was hit from behind.
The attacker then grabbed the cash, in American and Australian notes, from his jumper pocket and pulled out a large knife.
''He threatened me (that) if I was ever to tell anyone ... then he basically just ran away,'' said Mr Potter, who was playing for the first time outside the US. ''At the time, I was just really in shock.''
Detectives this morning appealed to banks and travel or exchange agents to alert them of anyone trying to exchange large quantities of US$100 notes.
Mr Potter, a former political science student who recently dropped out of university to become a professional poker player, last year won $US90,000 ($A102,000) in a tournament at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. He is expected to play at the LA Poker Classic next month.
He said he had decided to cash the chips, which he won two days ago and had previously kept in a safe in his hotel, while seeking a snack and believed his attacker targeted him.
''I definitely believe that he saw me at some point in the casino. The cashier's cages are in plain sight and it's really easy to tell when someone is cashing a large amount,'' he said.
''Whenever he went to take the money, he knew exactly where to look.
''He was just kind of nervous and wanted to get it over with.''
When asked if he had a message for his attacker, Mr Potter said: ''I hope they find you. You don't deserve the money''.
Detective Senior Constable Dean Trigger, of the Melbourne Embona task force, said the large amount of cash had rendered Mr Potter vulnerable to attack. He said there were no known witnesses.
A Crown spokesman said the casino was co-operating with police, but could not comment further.
Mr Potter, who arrived in Melbourne on January 9 and otherwise enjoyed his time here, said he felt insecure about carrying the money and regretted not asking for the money in a cheque.
He also initially considered fighting his attacker, but decided ''no amount of money is worth that''.
''It (the loss) definitely hurts really bad, but nothing in my life will change because of it,'' he said.
''I am fairly glad that, you know, I'm OK and my health is all right.''
The armed robber is described as in his 30s and about 172 centimetres tall.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppers.com.au.
http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/card-pros-30000-blow/2008/01/21/1200764126847.html
<!--articleTools Top--> <byline>Matthew Burgess</byline><date></date>
An American poker player who was robbed of $30,000 in winnings in Melbourne's CBD this morning believes he was targeted by his assailant.
<!--bylineDetails-->
<!--articleDetails-->
<bod> </bod> Jason Potter, 22, of Oklahoma, was walking to the Crowne Plaza Hotel after cashing his chips at Crown Casino and buying a snack when he was attacked on Spencer Street bridge about 4.30am.
Mr Potter, who placed 31st in the Aussie Millions Poker Championship at Crown Casino and was due to fly out of Melbourne eight hours after the attack, said he heard footsteps before he was hit from behind.
The attacker then grabbed the cash, in American and Australian notes, from his jumper pocket and pulled out a large knife.
''He threatened me (that) if I was ever to tell anyone ... then he basically just ran away,'' said Mr Potter, who was playing for the first time outside the US. ''At the time, I was just really in shock.''
Detectives this morning appealed to banks and travel or exchange agents to alert them of anyone trying to exchange large quantities of US$100 notes.
Mr Potter, a former political science student who recently dropped out of university to become a professional poker player, last year won $US90,000 ($A102,000) in a tournament at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. He is expected to play at the LA Poker Classic next month.
He said he had decided to cash the chips, which he won two days ago and had previously kept in a safe in his hotel, while seeking a snack and believed his attacker targeted him.
''I definitely believe that he saw me at some point in the casino. The cashier's cages are in plain sight and it's really easy to tell when someone is cashing a large amount,'' he said.
''Whenever he went to take the money, he knew exactly where to look.
''He was just kind of nervous and wanted to get it over with.''
When asked if he had a message for his attacker, Mr Potter said: ''I hope they find you. You don't deserve the money''.
Detective Senior Constable Dean Trigger, of the Melbourne Embona task force, said the large amount of cash had rendered Mr Potter vulnerable to attack. He said there were no known witnesses.
A Crown spokesman said the casino was co-operating with police, but could not comment further.
Mr Potter, who arrived in Melbourne on January 9 and otherwise enjoyed his time here, said he felt insecure about carrying the money and regretted not asking for the money in a cheque.
He also initially considered fighting his attacker, but decided ''no amount of money is worth that''.
''It (the loss) definitely hurts really bad, but nothing in my life will change because of it,'' he said.
''I am fairly glad that, you know, I'm OK and my health is all right.''
The armed robber is described as in his 30s and about 172 centimetres tall.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppers.com.au.
http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/card-pros-30000-blow/2008/01/21/1200764126847.html
