Over the past few years poker competitions in pubs have sprung up all over the country largely due to the success of the Nuts Poker League which put on its opening event in 2005.  A year later, founder Steve Bellis appeared on the show Dragon’s Den where he won investment for the business. 

It was confirmed last September that limited-stakes poker taking place in pubs was entirely legal so there has been a big rise in the number of players and competitions for poker players wanting to compete in pubs.

One such rival to the Nuts Poker League is the Poker in the Pub Project which is the brainchild of chairman, Dave Brannan.

Dave started Poker in the Pub in 2006, back then 200 players competed, today the numbers have grown to 12,000 with 250 pubs participating.

Dave has seen his business expand despite pitfalls such as the smoking ban and the rising cost of living which has seen overall pub numbers dwindling in recent times.

Dave is therefore surprised about the success of his project.

He said, “So many people are into poker at the moment.  I can’t believe how much Poker in the Pub has taken off.”

Poker in the Pub takes place on selected days in pubs from Cornwall up to Scotland.

It is currently in its third season which runs until May 2009.  Over £60,000 has been paid out in prizes since its creation.  As part of the prize package for the third season, the top 10 players will win holidays for themselves and their partners to Las Vegas together with spending money.

The first step to becoming Poker in The Pub National Champion is to qualify from a 12 week league in your local pub to your Regional Finals.  You must then fight it out for a place in the National Final by doing well enough in your Regional Final.  The number of qualifiers from each stage of the competition depends on the number of players participating in that round.  The competition is free to enter for players and pubs only need to pay £20 for the events to take place on their premises.

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