TWICE a week, John King goes into mental combat for up to seven hours against opponents out to read his mind - and beat him.

They watch one another like hawks ready to strike, but the 42-year-old Ryedale taxi driver manages to keep them guessing... well, most of the time.

His poker triumphs have brought him bundles of cash - from £400 to £1,600, a grand total of more than £5,000 tax-free over just a few weeks recently.

On two occasions, he out-thought an ace player from Hull, nicknamed 'Devil Fish', who won the World Poker Championship twice.

John, from Rillington, happily married with three children, is rated one of the shrewdest poker players in Yorkshire. Success has come in tournaments staged at casinos in Bradford, Hull and Sheffield. They attract from 60 to 100 dedicated competitors, playing from 9pm to up to 4am in the morning.

Now John is planning to test his game with the world's best poker players in Las Vegas. Poker tournaments are played with the sporting dignity of a bridge party or a village hall whist drive, but perhaps more strictly supervised because of the big cash prizes. They are staged throughout the UK with one of the biggest, worth £80,000 to the winner, staged in a Luton casino.

You can forget the Hollywood image of a smoke-filled back room with a handful of unshaven players sweating out a battle of wits.

Tournaments attract a cross-section of male respectability, a few women too, all prepared for a little stress, disappointments and that heart-stopping excitement all gamblers seem to crave.

John, who drives his own taxi from a base at Malton Station, will be at Luton, but his main target is Las Vegas, the poker player's Mecca, in the spring. "I'm going for the experience, to watch and learn from the most skilful players in the States," says John with a quiet modesty. "Of course, I'll be out to win if I can, or at least be in the money to pay my expenses."

He started playing two years ago after a friend invited him to the casino in Hull. "I took to poker straight away, winning my first game, but it was pure luck not skill. I was dealt some good hands. I soon realised that while luck is a vital factor, concentration is far more important. The mind games you have to play. The psychology of poker."

John says: "It seems so very simple. You can learn a great deal about poker from books, but the skill is trying to read the mind of your opponents. You watch their expressions, even the way they look at or pick up their two main cards. Some players' minds are easy to read, others virtually impossible.

"And while all this mind-play goes on for hours you have to concentrate on staying cool yourself, giving nothing away - even if you know you have an unbeatable hand."

In the real world, his day job, John is renowned for his concern and care for passengers - especially the handicapped and elderly - and his ready smile. "I enjoy chatting with passengers, many regulars and friends - but they have no idea I'm a dedicated poker player," he says. "I used to train greyhounds, which involved gambling and other people. Poker is much more personal and satisfying. I'd like to go for the world championship one day - when I'm ready."

BILL ANDERSON

Updated: 10:11 Wednesday, February 12, 2003