Telford poker player aces it to reach world finals

The card player from Wellington is off to the US to compete in the World League Poker Championships.

Robbie, who is a private tutor, triumphed in the final of the England & Wales Nuts Poker League, which was held in Coventry.

That landed him the chance to pit his wits against the best in the world at the home of gambling in November.

Robbie said self-confidence was essential to succeed in the world of poker.

He admitted: “You can’t be a really good poker player without being a bit cocky, because you’ve got to be able to bluff and push people around.

"I feel I can win every hand.”

There is big money to be had for anyone who can succeed in the high-stakes game. Robbie will be taking part in a competition in Manchester next month with a top prize of £10,000.

Robbie learned to love poker watching late night games on Channel 4. The 54-year-old, who plays league poker at St Georges Sports and Social Club in Telford, made it through to the regional finals before being named champion in the national finals.

Years ago he promised he’d one day take his daughter, Sophie, to Las Vegas to watch him compete – and now he’s excited to be able to take him.

It’s been a long road for Robbie, who started out small nearly two decades ago.

“I was watching late night poker on Channel 4,” he said. “I always liked cards, but I started watching it and enjoying it. Then someone told me I could play online for free.

Tougher

“I was a bit scared to play with money at first, but after collecting half a million free chips from starting with 1,000, I thought it was time.

“In the early days there were a lot of not very good players. I was making maybe £50 or £100 a month, and then the games got tougher and I hadn’t really become any better.

“Then I found out about the pub poker, so I started playing. It’s only a couple of quid, then there’s a regional final and a national final.”

Robbie travelled to Coventry on March 31 for the final of the England & Wales Nuts Poker League.

He beat 200 other players and came away with £2,000 winnings and a trip to Las Vegas in November playing in the World League Poker Championships representing Team GB.

He said he’s feeling confident.

“I always hoped that I would be able to go to Las Vegas,” he said. “I felt that I was eventually going to win one.

“I’m looking forward to it. I’ve been wanting to go – I don’t like bucket lists much, but when you look back on your life you regret what you didn’t get to do.

The father-of-three will travel to the United States with his 24-year-old daughter Sophie. “When she was 16 or 17 I promised to take her with me if I ever managed to go,” he said.

“I might try to teach her some beginner tips and buy her into a game, but I don’t know if she’s interested. She’s excited about the trip, she’ll go in the pool and things like that and we’ll take in some shows as well.”

He won’t be resting on his laurels ahead of his big trip. Robbie will be travelling to Manchester later this month to compete in a new 40-player UK final. He’ll be playing for a prize of £10,000, which is the biggest single cash prize in pub poker history.

“There’s all these pubs from across the country and only 40 people can go,” Robbie said.

“There’s going to be more skill involved, it’s a slower structure and they’re going to be better players. It’s going to be a tough game.”