Trivia nights and most other games are taking a back seat in clubs and hotels as the US-led craze takes over with the promise of big prizes instead of big cash wagers.

Forget trivia. Poker nights are taking pubs by storm as the new way for bar flies to while away the hours.

It could be the sight of the sexy desperate housewives playing a few rounds, or the increasing popularity of poker on the TV. Either way, poker nights are rapidly becoming a popular fixture in UK pubs and clubs.

The Amateur National Poker League (ANPL.co.uk) has more than doubled the number of participating pubs since it’s lauch on Monday 24th June, which now number 14, up from 7.

ANPL’s Managing Director Sarah Meehan said the popularity of the nights has taken off much quicker than expected and seems to be following a trend seen in Australia and the US for Poker in pubs.

"Poker nights have become the new trivia nights," Mrs Meehan said.