Poker craze hits city


29 May 2007 09:29

Poker has enjoyed a huge resurgance in the past couple of years - and a Norwich club has had to move to keep pace with its newfound popularity.

The gambling industry used to be dominated by horse racing and football betting, but in the past decade, poker online, on the TV and face to face has surged ahead.

Experts say the National Lottery changed people's negative opinions about betting, and the internet helped make the industry more available and popular. Celebrities such as Zak Goldsmith, son of billionaire Sir James Goldsmith, have caught the bug. He finished third in the Poker Million Masters II final table in 2004.

Norwich Poker Club has about 600 members and moved from Anglia Square to new premises on the third floor of Sackville Place, off Magdalen Street, on Saturday.

Robert Ward, 47, who runs the club with wife Dani, 44, said: “We have got more members than we used to have and some of the tournaments we stage feature up to 60 players. Our members range in age from students to OAPs.

“At our new home we've got a private room for an office, better toilets and kitchen facilities and an outside balcony which will be useful when the smoking ban comes in on July 1.

“We know who can and cannot afford to play, and we can keep an eye on them. If players are getting out of their depth, we put them off playing for higher stakes.”

One of the club's big winners is Kevin Thurston, 23, from Colney, who said: “I work part-time in a call centre but I play poker more than I work. In the last year I have won about £8,000 through poker. I played in a big tournament in Southend and the Ladbroke's Open in Kent. In July I'm off to Las Vegas for the World Series.

“You have to have a certain amount of luck. I'd say its 80pc luck and 20pc skill. Every month Rob Ward has a £100 'freeze out' competition and I won £2,000 at one and £1,500 at the other.”

Fellow player Jason Dean, 35, an electrician from Mile Cross, said: “I've been a serious player for a year and a half. I watched it on TV a few years ago and liked the look of it. I play once a week, though it depends how much money I've got. The most I've won is £630, and the most I've lost £150. It's different from putting money on the horses. I make my own decisions with poker, while I've got no influence whether a jockey or horse wins.”

With plans for super casinos in Britain, critics fear the increased opportunity to gamble 24 hours a day could lead to more addicts. People with major gambling problems often turn to crime and become violent towards their partners, doctors have warned.

Have you made big money through a hobby? Call reporter David Bale on 01603 772427 or email david.bale2@archant.co.uk

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