For 31-year-old actuary Tina the poker bug has bitten hard - after just six months of playing she felt confident enough to enter the Flanagan's tournament.

And despite going out early in the first round, when The Royal Gazette visited, she intends to stick with it despite the $230 weekly entry fee.

Tina (not her real name) began playing with friends and found it easy to pick up even if she has yet to master all the tactics and strategies which led to her downfall.

“I was playing against people who understand the statistics.”

She normally plays games for a $100 start among friends after her interest was sparked by Texas Hold'em on the Travel Channel.

“The first game I played in I won. I got hooked.

“It isn't about the money. It's about the game itself. It's a social event and the competition is fun. There's a lot of banter and sarcasm.

“It's not about winning prizes. I have honestly never been in a game where anyone's picking a fight or getting at one another.”

Often the only girl at card games, she said the relaxed nature of the Flanagan's card night was typical and she said more woman should try the game.

“No one is rowdy. No one will want to get loaded when you are playing. It won't make the game any easier.

“Everyone is having a good time in healthy competition. They are not spending thousands of dollars.

“You spend more on a night boozing or at dinner. There aren't a lot of recreational activities to do, especially at night. It's something to do.”

Unsurprisingly she believes gambling, if done properly, could be a fantastic opportunity for the Island's tourism industry.

“It could draw a lot of money in and draw a crowd of people just coming to spend money at the casino.

“I have never played at a casino but I would now.”

Her views are echoed by Ron (not his real name), a 35-year-old investment administrator who says access to gambling was a factor in choosing holiday destinations.

He has been playing cards once a week for over a decade and cites the camaraderie of contestants as the best factor. “Everyone is in the same position, showing mutual respect.”

Ron said his wife was relaxed about his pastime. “She knows it's very casual.”

This year he started monitoring how much he spent on the game. “After 34 games I am almost exactly even.”

Richard Madeiros, a 26-year-old barman, told The Royal Gazette he had just returned from a six-day solo break in Las Vegas where he had won $5,500 at cards.

His goal is to compete in the world series in Vegas but he came 16th at Flanagan's on Wednesday. He plays up to five times a week in $50 entrance games and pays special attention to body language.

“I know how to read people, you just watch. Everyone has a tell.

“There was a guy tonight who would itch his eye when he didn't want to go in. Another guy was taking his hat off and putting it back on. If you go to a big game everyone is watching everybody. People don't move and they wear dark glasses.”

Despite going on gambling trips, Mr. Madeiros said he plays for fun and would be happy to play for $10 and realises paying his bills is more important than pursuing his hobby.