Proof that junk-food can cost you more than your health: Jason Potter, a 22 year old American poker professional was robbed of $30,000 in cash after leaving the Crown casino to grab a bite at McDonald’s. Potter was in Melbourne competing in the renowned Aussie Millions, where he finished 31^st overall. Police believe he was followed by his attacker from the casino after he cashed-in his chips.

 

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," Potter said.

 

Potter has made several hundred thousand dollars on the poker circuit since he began to play professionally. In hindsight he expressed his wish that 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.

 

The thief, who brandished a knife, took off with the cash in Australian and US $100 bills.

It’s likely that his attacker may have been a spectator at the poker tournament at the casino earlier in the day.

 

Potter, who dropped out of a political science degree to play poker professionally, 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.

 

The attack on Potter put a damper on the internationally televised tournament, which ended yesterday with 21 year old Russian Alexander Kostritsyn winning $1.6 million. Kostritsyn was the youngest player at the event and the only European at the final table of seven players.