PokerStars Pro Joins TV’s Survivor, UK Poker Clubs Under Threat

Leo Margets Joins Survivor

The poker community seems to have a longstanding relationship with the TV Survivor and in the coming weeks that relationship looks set to grow as PokerStars pro Leo Margets will be taking part in the show’s Spanish incarnation.

Set to hit our screens next week, the Spaniard will be lining up alongside eight other TV personalities and celebrities in an effort to be crowned queen of the island.

Although Margets won’t be the first professional poker player to appear on Survivor – Jean-Robert Bellande and Garrett Adelstein both famously appeared on the US version – she will be the first to take part in Spanish themed show which is known as Supervivientes.

One of the main reasons for Margets being included in the show is the assumption that poker players have superior powers of deductive reasoning and tactical knowledge.

However, as Bellande and Adelstein have proved in the past, it doesn’t matter how skilled you are at the felt, if people don’t like your personality then it’s virtually impossible to win the show.

Poker Shutdowns in the UK

The UK Gambling Commission looks to be cracking down on illegal poker clubs this year with three closures in the last few months.

According to the 2005 Gambling Act members’ clubs are allows to offer poker games but there are strict rules regarding the amount of money that can be wagered. Indeed, since the rules came into a force a number of clubs have fallen foul of the law by offering tournaments and cash games that are deemed beyond the scope of the rules.

Since 2012 a total of 10 clubs have either shutdown or stopped offering poker with many of the affected venues being situated in or around London.

In the latest round of closures the Palms of Enfield, Fifth Street Card Club and Royal Surrey Social Club have all either had their licenses revoked or been forced to cease all poker activities.

Commenting on the recent spate of action, Nick Tofiluk of the Gambling Commission said:

“We are committed to working closely in support of local authorities in dealing with such matters. Local Authorities now have considerable experience in this field and we will continue to promote good practice while dealing effectively with illegal poker clubs. The message is simple – if you offer poker in a club which falls outside the rules for exempt gaming, or offer commercial poker you are breaking the law.”