Poker contenders aim to play cards right

Published on Saturday 1 March 2008 10:19

TOP poker players from across the country are battling it out on the green baize in Edinburgh this weekend.

They are facing each other in the quest for glory in the Scottish heat of the Gala Casino British Poker Tour.

It features the current world snooker champion and keen poker player John Higgins.

Also taking part at the city's Maybury Casino is 55-year-old Phil Stars, from Blackburn, West Lothian, who is one of Scotland's top amateur poker players.

Captain of the Scottish poker team and the country's top-ranking player, he has been nicknamed Braveheart – because of his success against English rivals.

Edinburgh man Stan Essen, who came third in last year's tournament, winning 9200, is also involved.

Last year's regional winner Eddie Gaines from Dundee will be there too. The five-day contest, which began on Wednesday, reaches its climax tomorrow, with the winners going on to the UK grand final in Bristol in December.

Mr Gaines won almost 25,000 last year and a place in the final, which was won by Joe "The Elegance" Beevers.

He said: "All you have to do is have confidence in yourself – with a bit of luck and a bit of skill anyone can beat the pros."

Maybury casino manager Ally Myles added: "The Gala Casinos British Poker Tour really is the people's poker tour."

Other heats will be held throughout the year in Nottingham, Bristol, Liverpool and Stockton-on-Tees.