Licensees up and down the country are being urged to look at the possible benefits of hosting poker nights.

This week, over 300 players have been battling it out in 5 regional finals across the UK in the second Poker in the Pub league.

The competition has attracted a record number of players all eyeing up a seat in the National Final and a trip of a lifetime to Las Vegas.

Finals took place in London, Birmingham, Glasgow, Lincoln and Exeter.

Organisers say that since its inception last July the interest in Poker in the Pub has gone through the roof boosted by media interest in the Poker industry as a whole. Gary Kirby licensee of the Kings Head Hotel, near Penrith says his takings have been boosted since he began running free to play poker nights on a Monday.

“The poker night has turned into the highlight of the week,” said Kirby.

“Everyone looks forward to it. Monday nights used to be empty but now I have a pub full of people every week.”

Dave Brannan, chairman of the league said: “The numbers speak for themselves.

“We have just hosted 5 regional finals across the UK, which has increased from the 3 that took place last October.

“We have some major sponsors onboard and all the pubs that take part have really noticed the difference to their revenue.

”Our player numbers are at the 3500 mark after just 24 weeks of the league and growing every week. We will be sending someone to Vegas in a few months time and this is just adding to the excitement surrounding pub poker.”

Poker in the Pub is the UK’s largest free to play pub poker league.