Shannon's poker showdownHE THOUGHT he was playing his cards right but Shannon Noll found himself in a showdown yesterday after becoming the new face of Australian poker.
A gambling expert dealt a bad hand to the one-time Idol, saying that spruiking the game could have a detrimental effect on his adolescent fans.
Dr Matthew Rockloff from the Central Queensland University told news.com.au that people pathologically addicted to gambling were exposed to it during adolescence.
While the Australian Poker League is a "free to play'' organisation and players need to be at least 18 years old, Rockloff said gambling was intrinsically linked to the card game.
The singer, who has been playing the game on and off for 18 months, told Confidential he never played for money and that the game gave people in drought-stricken areas like his home town Condobolin something ``ace'' to do.
``It doesn't cost you anything and it's a social event so people can get out and talk and meet new people,'' he said.
Whatever the case, it is bound to be a full house at the Wild Turkey APL Tournament of Champions at Luna Park next Saturday night, when 220 players compete for a $1 million prize pool.
Noll - who recently returned from the US where he has been recording his third album - will give the night a leg up by belting out a few of his hits.
Poker World series 2005 champion Aussie Joe Hachem and famous Monaco-based player Gus Hansen are also going to be at the table along with Grinspoon's Pat Davern and footballer Willie Mason.
A gambling expert dealt a bad hand to the one-time Idol, saying that spruiking the game could have a detrimental effect on his adolescent fans.
Dr Matthew Rockloff from the Central Queensland University told news.com.au that people pathologically addicted to gambling were exposed to it during adolescence.
While the Australian Poker League is a ``free to play'' organisation and players need to be at least 18 years old, Rockloff said gambling was intrinsically linked to the card game.
The singer, who has been playing the game on and off for 18 months, told Confidential he never played for money and that the game gave people in drought-stricken areas like his home town Condobolin something ``ace'' to do.
``It doesn't cost you anything and it's a social event so people can get out and talk and meet new people,'' he said.
Whatever the case, it is bound to be a full house at the Wild Turkey APL Tournament of Champions at Luna Park next Saturday night, when 220 players compete for a $1 million prize pool.
Noll _ who recently returned from the US where he has been recording his third album _ will give the night a leg up by belting out a few of his hits.
Poker World series 2005 champion Aussie Joe Hachem and famous Monaco-based player Gus Hansen are also going to be at the table along with Grinspoon's Pat Davern and footballer Willie Mason.
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,2...5012974,00.html