Young American poker player Jason Potter, 22, was targeted and robbed of his winnings at the Aussie Millions according to police.
The attack on Potter soured the internationally televised tournament, which ended yesterday with Russian Alexander Kostritsyn, 21, pocketing $1.6 million.
The heavy set poker pro from Oklahoma played well enough in the Aussie Millions to finish 31st, but made a poor decision by going to a McDonald's restaurant in the wee hours of the morning with his prize money.
Potter was walking back to his hotel room at Crown Plaza after feasting at McDonald's about 4.30am. "I had already been home to my hotel room but decided to go out and get something to eat because I was hungry," he said.
The knife-wielding assailent took off with the cash in Australian and US $100 bills.
Potter, who has made several hundred thousand dollars on the poker circuit, said he wished he had picked up his winnings as a cheque rather than in cash.
"I heard someone running resolutely behind me. As I turned around I just got knocked on the back of the head. I fell down and this guy reached immediately into my hooded pocket," he said.
Potter believes his attacker may have been a spectator at the poker tournament at the casino earlier in the day.
Potter dropped out of a political science degree to play poker professionally, he has won about $300,000 in 12 months. He was stunned and shaken after the robbery but not injured. "I thought about trying to fight him but I thought no amount of money is worth it," he said.