Woman from Sittingbourne plays poker for £2.2m prize

A Kent woman who learnt to play poker four years ago is going into battle in Monte Carlo to try to win £2.2m.

Liv Boeree, 25, from Milstead, near Sittingbourne, won £1.1m earlier this week in a preliminary round in the European Poker Tournament (EPT) event.

TV presenter and model Miss Boeree, an astrophysics graduate from Manchester University, is playing in the final which starts on Sunday in Italy.

She is only the third woman to win an EPT event since the tour began in 2004.

Miss Boeree learnt to play poker while working on the Channel 5 show Ultimate Poker Showdown.

Unsettle opponents


"Winning a major event is exactly what I've been working towards," she said.

"I went round to all the EPTs as a host but all I was thinking was, 'I want to play'."

Miss Boeree, who lives with her mother and stepfather, has won about £1.8m over the last three years.

She is known on the poker circuit for her "Liv stare" poker face which is claimed to unsettle opponents.

Miss Boeree's mother, Elaine Cross, said: "We are absolutely thrilled for her - she is a clever girl and works hard.

"It's surprised us - she's not your average poker player, but she is determined.

"She enjoys the game and likes the skill involved and the thrill she gets from it."

The Monte Carlo final is taking place at Le Sporting Club in Monaco until 30 April.