The UK is fast becoming the epicentre of European poker as the Ladbrokes Poker Million V prize pool is set to total a record $4.2m, making it the biggest poker tournament outside America.

Speaking at the West End launch of the Poker Million sports promoter Barry Hearn told PokerPlayer: ‘There’s no reason why one day the Poker Million can't be bigger than the WSOP. It’s already the biggest tournament in Europe.’

A nice bit of hyperbole, but while it’s still some way off the Main Event, it has grown rapidly since snooker player Jimmy White won the $150,000 first prize offered in 2003.