PokerWorks

Well, at least someone had a good 2008.

In a year when our economy sprung a leak, drying up our 401ks and leaving the future as cloudy as holding a straight on an all-flush board, one everyday man found fortune.

Dennis Phillips won $4.5 million in this year's World Series of Poker for his third-place finish. Now he's a PokerStars Team Pro.

Phillips joins Ylon Schwartz, who has 11 World Series of Poker cashes and has won $3.77 million. He finished fourth in the Main Event.

Phillips was no fluke. He was a feared player in the St. Louis card rooms for years and made the final table of two WSOP Circuit side events. But he seemingly came out of nowhere in last year's Main Event, heading to the final table with the chip lead and an army of more than 300 supporters who wore his now trademark white shirt and red Cardinals cap.

Phillips, of course, was the only one with the signature of practically every known pro who played at the Main Event that year. He was an accountant at a trucking company before he became one of the most recognized player of the November Nine.

Phillips would have been happy with just the hat and a few memories, but his aggressive play, timed, of course, with the cards everyone has to get for a deep run like that one, got him the money and now a sponsorship.

He becomes PokerStars Pro #30.

Number #31 is Schwartz, who calls himself TenthPlanet, for good reason, because he does seem to be on another planet at times, either because of his otherworldly play or threats to move to an island and never leave.

Now he and Phillips will travel the country to represent PokerStars on the tournament circuit. You can also find them on PokerStars by downloading the program. You'll get a 100 percent matching bonus up to $50. You must enter the marketing code of POKERWORKS upon registration and the bonus code of STARS50 upon your first deposit.

Just look for the red ball cap or the 10th planet.