Hailing from the city of Leer in Germany, Michael Kahlert admits that it was the strategic elements of poker that first attracted him to the game, coupled with the fact that he enjoyed gambling. He started playing poker two years ago and has never looked back since. Now the Economics student mostly plays poker online and favours both No Limit Texas Holdem and Pot Limit Omaha. He enjoys both tournaments and ring games equally. Winning this €1,500 PokerNews Cup Austria Package is Michael’s biggest win to date and he felt “happy” after his win. “I was happy not to become the bubble boy as that is always boring,” Michael explains. The German has many interests including “playing chess, jogging, swimming and [following the] financial markets.” This will be Michael’s first experience at a major poker tournament and his first visit to Austria. Good luck to Michael and the rest of Team PokerNews as they battle it out at the 2008 PokerNews Cup Austria.