Big prize is on the cards for poker ‘Harry Potter’

AN Edinburgh University graduate dubbed the “Harry Potter of poker” is among the favourites to land a chunk of a £420,000 prize pot during a major tournament in the Capital.

Maths wizard David Vamplew, 25, came through the early rounds held over the last two days with ease and is now expected to reach Monday’s final.

He started playing for £1 stakes at a university society’s weekly games night, but then bagged £900,000 at a major competition in London two years ago.

More than 600 players paid £700 to take part in the five-day event at the Balmoral.

The hotel’s ballroom has been transformed into Vegas-style poker palace with 35 tables in the first UK and Ireland Poker Tour event of the year.

Kirsty Thompson, president of the tour, said: “Edinburgh is a fantastic place to host this as it’s such a beautiful, iconic city. We have to keep moving to bigger venues because of demand and this year has proved more popular still.

“It’s been a good first two days but things are really expected to hot up over the weekend.”