Illawarra poker king's wedding was in the cards, by Laurel-Lee Roderick - Illawarra Mercury - 13th July 2009

Illawarra's poker king has won plenty of prizes at the table, including his fiancee's heart.

Gary Parker of Oak Flats went into Saturday's Australian Poker League State Finals at Warilla Bowls and Recreation Club as the region's top poker player.

And, while the cards didn't go his way on the weekend, the 48-year-old still has plenty to celebrate.

Mr Parker has already scored himself an entry into a $500,000 national poker tournament next month at Melbourne's Crown Casino.

And he has his wedding to plan, to his queen of hearts, fiancee Deb Green who, ironically, he met while playing poker.

"We have been going out since February last year, but we knew each other for about 12 months before that," Mr Parker said.

The couple has yet to plan the big day, but Mr Parker joked that the ultimate dream would be to get married in the world's casino capital, Las Vegas.

The pair plays poker seven nights a week, at clubs from Shellharbour to Corrimal. On Sundays, they play in two poker tournaments.

"I always try to make it to the state finals and this was my fifth time," Mr Parker said.

"It is a good game and you always hope to get through the last table, but it didn't happen this time."

About 500 poker players from across NSW competed on Saturday, including 45 Illawarra players.

The highest placed Illawarra player was Mick Samways, who finished in seventh place.

The day was won by Kearns man Antony Vidal, who took home $3500 prize money and will now head to Melbourne for next month's tournament.

(Credit: Illawarra Mercury)

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