A 44-year-old immigrant from Iran who came to the USA to learn medicine, but instead learned poker, has won Event #10 at the 2008 World Series of Poker (WSOP) in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.

Farzad “Freddy” Rouhani, now of Germantown, Maryland, USA, came to the USA 23 years ago to attend medical school.

He soon became disenchanted with studying skulls and bones and turned his attention to studying straights and flushes.

His change of heart, and change to hearts, diamonds, spades and clubs, has now worked out for the best, as he comes in first in a $2,500 buy-in tournament that was half Omaha hi-lo split and half 7-card stud hi-lo split.

The tourney attracted 388 players and had a total prize pool of about $900,000.

For his big win, Rouhani picks up $232,911.

And, perhaps most importantly, his first WSOP championship gold bracelet.

Runnerup was Tom Chambers of Chicago, Illinois, USA, who pocketed $142,784.

Third went to “Miami” John Cernuto of Las Vegas, who earns $86,117.

Fourth was Yuegi “Rich” Zhu of Rowland Heights, California, USA, who takes home $63,807.

Fifth was Gregory J. Pappas of Rockville, Maryland, USA, who snags $48,190.

Sixth was John “Spikey” Racener of New Port Richey, Florida, USA, who cops $37,481.

Seventh was Daniel “Dano” Mowczan of Sterling Heights, Michigan, USA, who garners $28,557.

Eighth was Michael “The Grinder” Mizrachi of Hollywood, Florida, USA, who collects $24,095.

Ninth was Brandon Cantu of Vancouver, Washington, USA, picks up $19,633.

Rounding out the Top 10 finishers in the event was Tad Jurgens of Gold Canyon, Arizona, USA, who also pocketed $19,633.

After his victory, Rouhani told reporters: “I came to the U.S. 23 years ago to become a doctor. But instead, I became a pro poker player. Go figure.”

He then added: “I must admit that I really do need the money. Everyone needs the money. But this gold bracelet to me means a whole lot more. It is the thing that everyone in poker dreams of.”

(E-mail Tom Somach at tomsomach@yahoo.com.)