Poker Player Killed in Plane Crash: Passenger Seriously Injured

A Canadian poker player was killed Saturday while attempting to take off in his ultralight aircraft when it crashed into a neighbor’s barn.  His passenger was seriously injured. 

Norman Overdijk of Middle River, Victoria County had won $121,952 in live career tournament play.

“He played poker the way he died — rough and ready — and sometimes you get away with it for a while,” said Stewart MacLeod, who occasionally played poker at local games with Overdijk.

“He was the same away from the table as he was at it. Every- thing was full speed ahead.

“Norm played hard and he played with a beer in his hand, and that’s the hardest thing to beat at a card table. There’s a style of poker playing at tournaments where you get a whole bunch of chips early, or else you’re going to lose. And Norm played that style.

“It’s a braver game than those of us who sit back and wait till we know we’re going to win. Norm’s style was he couldn’t sit around waiting. It was all you can eat.”

RCMP and the Transportation Safety Board continued to probe the crash on Monday but had nothing new to report.

- Nagesh Rath, gambling911.com