by Joe Walker

A poker ace from Canterbury on the verge of a £5.4 million jackpot has described the experience as "insane".

Graduate Sam Holden has already guaranteed himself a staggering £484,754 by making the last nine of the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas.

But the 22-year-old, who lives in Stour Street, has his eyes firmly set on the top prize.

He will battle it out with eight others in November, only needing to avoid finishing last to bag himself a minimum £625,942.

He said: "It's completely surreal. It hasn't really sunk in yet but I definitely think I can win it."

Sam’s success comes only a year after the former University of Kent student graduated and started playing poker professionally.

He said: "It was always a dream to make it this far, but I never really expected it to happen. It still hasn't really sunk in.

"It would obviously be disappointing to finish ninth, but I'll be happy as long as I play well. I'm definitely going to play to win it."

For full story see this week’s Kentish Gazette.