Player Name: Margareta Shilliam

Nick Name: The Rock

Age: 27

From: Leicester, UK

Margareta 'The Rock' Shilliam doesn't exactly look like your average poker player. She is a beautiful, blonde bombshell in every sense of the word. But don?t be fooled, by her gorgeous exterior! Margareta is a very bright young lady, currently studying languages after completing several A levels and an acting course back in the UK. Margareta, 27, originally from Leicester, has amazingly only been playing poker for 8 months.

Having lived in Spain for two years now, Margareta is a well known face at the Casino's in Marbella and Torrequebrada, where she competes against seasoned old hands and has a string of final table results and cash's.

The very first time Margareta sat down to learn how to play she says she found she had a real feel for the game ? which, she feels, is the key to her success. Her feel for the cards has proved very real; a regular player at the Casino Marbella and currently the most successful female player in the league, Margareta is tipped to go far. In fact, Margareta has even been approached by two rival poker teams who would both very much like her to play for them. She will update us once the negotiations are finalised and a decision has been reached. Whichever team she eventually chooses, next season will see Margareta touring Spain and playing in the major leagues and competitions. Margareta says that she is not a gambler, but a poker player ? she has never been interested in roulette or other games of chance but enjoys the challenge and the skill involved in playing poker. She tells me she is addicted to the game, but not the gamble! She does however find the game very stressful and finds she has to ?zone-in? and really concentrate. Margareta tends to stick to playing tournaments as opposed to cash games which she finds far too risky and a totally different ballgame. Margareta finds her acting skills come in very useful during play as does her intuitive ability to read people which she says has served her well throughout her life. Away from poker, Margareta is very competitive in virtually every other way. She plays tennis regularly and is also training for a London Marathon. I have absolutely no doubts that this very accomplished and focused young lady will succeed in both her professional life as a poker player and also in the sporting ambitions she has personally. And on top of everything else, Margareta is a lovely, warm and genuine person who I am sure will realise her ambition of winning a seat at the WSOP and playing the best of the world?s ladies.

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