Poker Plot to Appear in UK Soap

It seems poker really has made it into the mainstream, as a poker plot is about to take place in the popular UK soap opera, Eastenders. This poker plot isn’t just a side-plot either, it’s being used to write out one of the major characters, at least temporarily.

Matt Lapinskas, who plays Anthony Moon on the show, asked to leave Eastenders for a while, although he hopes that he will be able to come back to the TV program in the future.

His character is currently involved in an on-screen romance with Alice Branning, the daughter of Derek Branning, a character that is generally portrayed as a villain. Branning and Moon will play a high stakes poker match that will see Moon lose everything he has, including his Antiques business.

When Moon begs to be allowed to keep the shop, Branning ignores his please, and presents him with a one-way ticket out of Albert Square, the location where all of the show’s action takes place.

It’s nice to see poker getting a mention on prime-time TV, although it’s a shame to see it being shown only in a tragic light. Perhaps this is just the beginning for poker on TV, though, and soon we’ll see some poker success stories being written into soaps.

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