Feeling flush? Poker aces can score at Leeds United's Elland Road ground

Next month, however, more than 2,000 people will be hoping to play their cards right when the club’s Elland Road ground hosts a massive poker tournament.

Aimed at grassroots players, the event will boast a mouthwatering prize pool of £175,000 despite having a buy-in of just £77.

Famous names taking part in the Grand Prix Poker Tour date will include Emmerdale actor James Hooton and former Yorkshire and England cricket hero Matthew Hoggard.

They will face stiff competition from players including Leeds businessman Nadeem Hussain, who is looking to repeat his strong showing at a previous tournament on the tour.

Nadeem, 39, from Roundhay, scooped £11,500 when he finished third in an event held last month at Newcastle United’s St James’ Park ground. He told the Yorkshire Evening Post: “It was an amazing feeling. I love playing poker. It provides an amazing rollercoaster of emotions.

“After playing poker for eight hours in a tournament like this I feel as if my brain and my body have had an incredible workout.”

Sponsored by partypoker, the Grand Prix Poker Tour comes to Elland Road’s Centenary Pavilion on the weekend of April 9 and 10.

Tom Waters, boss of partypoker, said: “It was fantastic to see Nadeem turn his £77 into £11,500.”

For registration details and other information about the event, visit the www.gppt.poker website.