VanGerwenkeepshispokerface

MICHAEL VAN GERWEN is staring down his darting rivals now he has become a dab hand at poker.

The world No.1 dealt Gary Anderson a duff hand as he smashed the Scottish hero this week to get his Premier League campaign back on track.

Van Gerwen’s Tyneside triumph, however, was inspired by his card antics.

The Dutchman headed to the Czech Republic last weekend for a professional poker tournament.

Van Gerwen also played at the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas last year and reckons his new interest is helping to freshen his mind and fire his form.

He said: “I enjoyed a little bit of relaxing in the Czech Republic playing poker last week.

“Sometimes you have to enjoy things in life. I am on the road all the time and I love that.

“I might be chasing in the league now but I still need to play the boys above me twice.”

Van Gerwen was back to his best against Anderson and admits the Musselburgh man inspires him to produce peak form. He said: “I did everything perfect which is what I had to do. Gary’s my biggest threat.” HOT Scot Graeme Dott believes an end to his agonising trophy drought is just around the corner.

The former world champion hasn’t tasted ranking success since 2007 at the China Open.

But Dott, 40, will be at next week’s World Grand Prix and he said: “If I keep playing as I am then there’s more to come.”