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BBC's television program, "Dragon's Den" revolves around the concept of the entrepreneurial pitch. Contestants on the show present their business ideas to a panel of investors who, at the conclusion of the show, decide on one to put their money behind.
This week, Poker reared its ever-popular head on the show as Wrexham businessman, Steve Bellis, pitched the idea of a national pub poker league. In November 2005, Bellis gave up his business in the chemical industry to start the "Nuts Poker League" in his hometown of Wrexham. The Poker League holds games in varied locations and uses a point system to decide placements. There are even regional finals and a Top 200 leader board. Bellis' pitch was to take the idea to a larger format, on a national level. Although it is currently illegal for the entrants of the league to gamble for money, the players do have a chance to win some prizes in the regional finals. The entrance money for the Poker tournaments goes to a Nightingale House Hospice in Wrexham.
Bellis' presentation paid off. The panel of tycoons, otherwise known as the "Dragons," gave him the £50,000 he asked for as well as an extra £15,000, an occurrence unprecedented in the show's history. "I was totally unprepared, but it certainly paid off. With hindsight, I think I should have asked for more," Bellis said. His plans are to use the money to expand the league and take on some more staff; up to 100 agents to help push the concept. Bellis has even been made an offer to set up something similar in France.
"I just dipped my foot in the water, but now I'm right up to my neck in it."
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