The Dolphin Hotel in Bridge Street has started up its own poker league and will be holding a special open night on Monday.

Simon Thomas and his staff started playing for fun a few months ago after work and from there, the idea has grown and the pub now has a dedicated following of regular players.

They meet each Sunday night in a winner-takes-all game of Texas Hold-em, the most accessible form of the game.

Changes in the gambling laws earlier this year relaxed the previously strict rules which made playing poker in pubs impossible.

Simon said the rules now allow players to gamble around £5 with a £100 top prize and says the league is a bit of fun and seems to have caught the imagination of the public.

He said: “We have about 15 people who take part in the league at the moment.

“The relaxation of gambling laws has allowed us to be able to do something like this but we are limited to the amount that is actually allowed to be gambled.

“It is a lot of fun and everyone enjoys themselves and you don’t have to be worried about losing the shirt off your back.”

He said he is hoping the winner-takes-all game on Monday will attract 64 players and has brought in extra tables and chips to deal with the extra numbers.

“There is a buy-in price and once that is gone you are out,” said Simon.

“You can’t buy yourself back in. It keeps the games fun but also ensures we comply with the law and that no-one loses anything they can’t afford.

“It does not matter about your skill level, last time we had a newcomer who walked off with the top prize.

“Texas Hold-em is probably the easiest form to learn so within a few hands everyone will well be in the swing of things.”

To put your name down for the tournament, call into the Dolphin pub on Bridge Street.