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Ex-soapstar scoops £100,000 poker win

A former 'EastEnders' actor turned professional gambler is in the money today after winning the regional leg of a British national poker competition.
1 of 1 Greco - Won a regional leg of a national poker competition
Greco - Won a regional leg of a national poker competition

Michael Greco walked away with £100,000 following the climax of the third round of the Grosvenor Poker Tour in Cardiff during the early hours of the morning.

Greco, who played Beppe di Marco in the BBC soap, triumphed in a field of more than 300 players during four days of competition.

A spokesman for the Grosvenor UK Poker Tour said: "The event, which is being shown on Channel 4 later in the year, is the pinnacle of Greco's poker career which started shortly after his spell on Albert Square. Although he has had minor successes in celebrity events, this was his first win in a recognised professional poker event."

After beating fellow finalists Hoss Parhizkar and Swansea fish and chip shop owner Roberto Romanello, Greco also collected a Tutima watch and a place in the grand final of the competition in London at the end of November.

Jonathan Raab, the competition's tour manager, said: "After a long, hard-fought poker session, Michael was a worthy winner. He has shown that he has what it takes to go all the way in this game and we look forward to him defending his title in Manchester."

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