It takes real talent to take advantage of a winning opportunity. VIP.com Poker customer Nuno S. has a chance to use his poker talents to turn opportunity into a million dollars when he heads to the Aussie Millions, thanks to VIP.com Poker (www.VIP.com).

Nuno was the big winner in VIP.com's $12,000 Aussie Millions Freeroll, which was held last Friday in the VIP.com pokeroom. Nuno gained entrance to the big-money tournament by signing up to VIP.com Poker through the online site PokerNews. By winning the freeroll tourney, Nuno will join the rest of the PokerNews team at the Aussie Millions to be held at the Crown Casino in Melbourne in January 2007.

"It's a great prize, and it's even greater because it was won at a freeroll," Nuno said, when describing his win. "I was very, very, very happy. It was an incredible sensation."

Nuno, who is a 31-year-old accountant back home in Marinha Grande, Portugal, began playing poker online about two and a half years ago after seeing it played on TV. He only started playing as a hobby, and plays mostly low limit games and sit 'n go tourneys.

"VIP.com Poker is fantastic," Nuno said. "It's one of my favorite sites I play at."

Nuno said he still can't believe he'll be playing in a major poker tournament and taking on some of the best international poker players in the world. He's especially looking forward to getting to know a new country and meeting some of his favorite poker stars.

"It will be the second-greatest experience of my life. The first is still the birth of my daughter," Nuno said with a laugh.

Nuno heads to Melbourne in January with airfare, accommodation and spending money all provided by VIP.com Poker. VIP.com Poker will also be paying Nuno's tournament fee. Last year the winner of the Aussie Millions' main event cashed out with just over $1 million. If Nuno can cash in with a big win, the prize money could certainly change Nuno's life in a meaningful way.

"It's the opportunity of a lifetime," Nuno said.

VIP.com Poker manager John Olsen is delighted with Nuno's freeroll win, and the opportunity that's now in front of him.

"It feels really good to be able to give someone like Nuno an opportunity like this," said Olsen. "His excitement is contagious! Everyone here at VIP.com Poker will definitely be rooting for him at the Aussie Millions -- to see a true poker enthusiast like him walk away the big winner would be amazing."

"Enjoy Australia and all the poker action Nuno -- we wish you the best of luck!"