Poker has one of America's favorite new pastimes. Recently, one local man walked away from the World Series of Poker, a whole lot richer.

The shuffle of cards brings Tom Peterson back to his childhood, where his passion for poker began.

"It’s something I've probably done since I was 16-years-old. Actually, I started watching my dad play with my cousins… dimes, nickels, pennies… back in the day."

Peterson's passion led him all the way to the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas, where he found some beginner’s luck.

"This is actually my third year. Three years ago I cashed. I was in the top 8% three years ago."

Peterson found the old saying “three's a charm” to be true when he won his biggest prize, more than $190,000. But despite the cash, he doesn't consider himself to be a pro.

"I was asked four times out there if I was a pro. Other people asked me because I had so many different chips in front of me at different times and I said ‘No, I'm just a guy from Wisconsin.’"

He says he owes his success to his grandson, Hunter. Peterson kept a picture of Hunter next to his chips as a good luck charm.

"I had mounds of chips and then I had his picture here. So whenever I'll get in a hand then I want to look down and I see my chips and I see him and I'm thinking ‘What do we do buddy?’"

Peterson may be satisfied with 52nd for now. But he's already preparing for next year and maybe someday, a first place finish.

"52nd is pretty awesome and there was 6,300 people, so that's a pretty good accomplishment and I'm glad with where I was and I'll try again next year."

Peterson says he is already planning a trip back to Las Vegas for the middle of August to play in another poker tournament.