Nottingham University law undergraduate is quids in after scooping £35k prize following previous £8k win
Gurning under the weight of £9,000-a-year undergraduate tuition fees, after which follow Legal Practice Course (LPC) fees of £14,000, today’s law students face a financial struggle far harder than previous generations.
The canny ones offset the burden by securing LPC sponsorship from big firms or Inns of Court scholarships. The even cannier ones enter — and win — big-money poker tournaments.
Meet third year Nottingham University law student Rehman Kassam (pictured above), who has just netted £35,000 after winning the World Poker Tour warm-up tournament in Nottingham.
20 year-old Rehman, who wants to become a solicitor, beat opponents much older than him on his march to the title, ultimately emerging victorious ahead of a 50-year-old former carpet fitter.
The triumph follows Rehman’s claiming of £8,000 in January in a smaller competition.
Following his latest success, Rehman, who hails from Forest Gate in east London, told the Nottingham Post:
“It didn’t bother me that I was competing against people who’d been playing for longer than me, as I just get in the zone when I’m playing.
“I couldn’t quite believe it when I won though — it’s certainly the most money I’ve ever had and it didn’t sink in for a while.”
The student, who started playing poker with friends while at school, added that “it’s a massive weight off my shoulders to know I don’t have to worry about money anymore”. He has also expressed his delight on Twitter.
Still can't believe it!
— Rehman Kassam (@rehk93) November 10, 2014
Image via @rehk93
