Michael McNaught went to London, England expecting to face five very experienced poker players at the $500,000 Poker Shootout.

What he encountered was something almost as dangerous: A group of unpredictable rookies with ridiculously good luck.

McNaught, 23, was amazed at some of the weak hands his competitors played. He was even more amazed when they hit the unlikely cards they needed.

"I didn't expect that at all," said McNaught. "I thought these were going to be experienced poker players."

McNaught and his competitors qualified through a series of online tournaments.

McNaught, the most experienced player at the table, was the first knocked out of the tournament.

Don't feel sorry for him, though. The University of Ottawa student took home $17,500 US for his efforts.

The hand that knocked McNaught out of the competition pretty much tells the story.

With a significantly depleted chip stack, McNaught went all in with a king and jack of diamonds.

One of the other competitors called him with a jack and a two, off-suit.

"That was perfect for me. That's exactly what I wanted to see," said McNaught.

The only card that could beat him was a two. The dealer then dealt the flop: Two, nine, two.

He may not have won the $200,000 US first prize, but McNaught and his wife, parents of a 10-month-old boy, had a great trip.

The winner was a 63-year-old Toronto man.