Poker players in Northern Ireland were left cursing their luck after police raided The Cavendish Club in central Belfast at the end of last month. After halting the game, it is believed the armed police confiscated up to £50,000 from the £220 re-buy Texas Hold’em tourney.

Some 200-plus punters were rounded up in a 30- strong prohibition-style raid on January 28 by local police, but were allowed to go home, albeit empty-handed, that night.

The club successfully appealed to local magistrates to return the frozen cash a couple of days later. Unfortunately, magistrate Desmond Perry could not be convinced that poker is a game of skill, therefore the club was viewed to be breaking the law under the 1985 Northern Ireland Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Act. Cavendish owner Sean Murphy was considering an appeal.

Murphy said: ‘We will not take this decision lying down… I hope other clubs in Northern Ireland will stand with us in our crusade to make the authorities see sense.’ The Cavendish Club management has set up an online petition where you can lodge your support at www.thecavendishclub.com.

• The Cavendish Club