Hosts set up poker league

A group of West Midlands licensees has set up a not-for-profit poker league to coincide with introduction of new laws allowing small-stake poker at pubs from

1 September.

Pub-goers at venues that register with the Masters Poker League will be able to play for money at individual outlets, then compare performances with others on a national leader-board.

The most successful players will battle every three months for larger cash prizes at a casino, followed by an annual final, also at a casino.

Pubs pay £2 per player to join the league, which includes the use of equipment such as poker tables and chips.

A tournament director will be provided for an extra charge to the pub of £1 per player. A £60 refundable deposit for equipment is also required.

League co-founder Paul Archer, who owns two pubs in Oldbury, near Birmingham, said five licensees have signed up so far. He said recruitment will be focused on the West Midlands initially, with plans to make it nationwide.

Archer said: "Players can have fun playing in a local venue, which is great for that venue, and those who are chasing pounds can receive a decent prize."

From 1 September, poker and other equal-chance games will be permitted in pubs without a special licence. Maximum stakes are £5, the maximum prize per game is £100 and the total amount that can be staked in one day is also £100. Pubs are not able to charge a fee or take a cut from stakes or prizes.

See www.masterspokerleague.com for more information on the League.

l Coulson - p18

Big opportunity

The new gaming laws are a "massive opportunity" for pubs to generate extra

income, according to Federation of Licensed

Victuallers Associations (FLVA) boss Tony Payne.

Payne urged hosts to consider whether games such as poker and bingo, which will be permitted in pubs from 1 September, could work at their pub.

"We are saying to our members that this is a

trading opportunity, not only involving poker, but also bingo. There's a

massive grey market that could take advantage of bingo to encourage people to come in and play."

He added: "I think [the new gaming rules] are a massive opportunity. With the smoking ban we must look to other avenues of income."

FLVA members have been sent advice on how to operate games legally after 1 September. Members will receive advice on hosting poker at the FLVA

conference in November, where there will be a live demonstration of the game.