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I'm flushed: Your hand in marriage?

Emma Scott
9/ 2/2006

A POKER player from Levenshulme proved he was King of Hearts after winning £15,000 in an online poker tournament.

Now Robert Leigh, of Audley Road, will use the winnings to marry his girlfriend.

Robert scooped the money in the Betfred £60,000 poker tournament.

An experienced online poker and casino player, Robert had only bought into the tournament just two hours before it was due to begin, paying £120 to enter.

Speaking about his triumph, he said: "I've been doing it for a couple of years now but this is definitely my best win to date. I just used to win little bets but nothing this big. Due to the win I have gone out and bought a ring and have got engaged. So I've got to thank Betfred for a double win."

Robert, 27, who works at McVitees, on Stockport Road, took his girlfriend Jenny Doran, 25, a trainee solicitor, out for a meal last Monday night before getting on his knee to pop the question.

Robert said: "We had been thinking about getting married because we have been together for quite a while but have never had enough money for the ring.

"We've not set a date yet but are thinking about summer next year."

Robert said he seemed to be on a bit of a winning streak at the moment - last Tuesday he won another £2,000 playing online poker.