by Joe Walker

joewalker@thekmgroup.co.uk

A poker ace and former Canterbury student has scooped $128,000 in the world’s biggest tournament – a year after pocketing almost $800,000 at the same event.

University of Kent graduate Sam Holden, 23, won the impressive sum – equal to £83,000 - after finishing 55th in the World Series of Poker’s main event in Las Vegas.

He was among 6,600 players battling it out for the $8.5 million winner’s prize, but his luck ran out on Sunday night when his pair of eights was trumped by three fives.

It was the young poker star’s second big win in Vegas, following an appearance at last year’s final table, when he walked away with a cheque for $782,115 – about £500,000.

At both tournaments he was the last British player standing, but he says this year’s event was a whole new experience.

He said: “Being a known player was very different. The amateur players played worse against me, because they were always convinced I was bluffing, but the good professionals had an advantage as they had some idea of my style of play before I even sat down at the table.

“On the whole it was an even more enjoyable experience as I now know a lot more people in the poker community and had a good idea of how to manage this three-week ‘business’ trip to Vegas.”

Sam - who won $24,000 in another Vegas tournament before sitting down for the big one - wasn’t too disappointed by his unlucky exit.

He said: “In the end the last hand wasn’t too unfortunate as I had won many all-ins before that and had a relatively short stack at that point. I definitely can’t complain about the luck I’ve had over the last two years in the tournament.”

Sam honed his poker skills while living in Stour Street, Canterbury, and studying for a forensic science degree in the city.

Since taking up the game professionally he has won close to £1 million in live tournaments and on the internet.

His success at last year’s World Series of Poker also earned him a money-spinning sponsorship deal with poker giants 888.com.