The heats for PartyPoker Late Night Poker are underway in Cardiff, climaxing with the final on Saturday 27 October, and betting has been considerable, with PartyBets.com making ‘Flying Dutchman’ Marcel Luske the 16/1 favourite (from 25/1) when the market closed.

After a number of different formats over recent years the tournament goes back to the classic format of 1999-2002, with an emphasis on player personalities that have made the tournament so compelling over the years.

A PartyBets.com spokesman said: “There was a steady stream of money for Marcel but it is not as if his heat can be seen as easy as it also features the likes of Annette Obrestad, Robert Williamson III, Jon Kalmar and Surinder Sunar.