American Illusionist David Blaine has enjoyed a mixed reception in the UK since launching onto the magical screen and his latest move will do little to excite sceptics.
 
The 35 year old New Yorker has backed out of a game of poker without good reason. Blaine told Poker star Phil Hellmuth that he will not take him on at a game of poker, suggesting the clash would be a no-win situation.

The magician, who will attempt to break the world record for sleep deprivation in the near future, according to the latest reports, met controversial Hellmuth at a recent birthday party.

Writing in his Card Player blog, Hellmuth claimed Blaine remarked: "I will not play poker with you because if I win, then I'm a cheater; and if you win, then I'm a bad magician."

With 11 World Series of Poker bracelets in his trophy cabinet, Hellmuth is a formidable opponent for any player on the felt, although not everyone has been as keen as Blaine to avoid him.

Top internet professional Tom Dwan, best known as Durrr, challenged the hall-of-famer to a series of matches after eliminating Hellmuth in just three hands in the first round of the 2008 National Heads-Up Poker Championship.
 
So it seems that despite being drowned alive and going without sleep for over 11 days on the trot David Blaine is unwilling to take the poker challenge.

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