Good and bad celeb poker players identified

Good and bad celeb poker players identified England's World Cup-winning rugby coach Sir Clive Woodward would make a world-class poker player while David Beckham would rank among the worst, according to a new study. A gambling expert has uncovered various personality traits that make a successful professional poker player and Sir Clive came out on top thanks to his problem solving skills which proved key to England's success. But Real Madrid ace David Beckham came bottom of the pile for an equally important quality - self control, or in his case, lack of it. Professor of Gambling at Nottingham Trent University, Dr Mark Griffiths, identified ten key traits which determine whether you would make a good or bad poker player. To ensure success at the gambling game you need to excel at problem solving, numeracy, self-control and be practical. Flexibility, a strategic mind and the ability to deceive your opponents are also essential skills, but you also need to be self-critical, self-aware and willing to continually learn. Ultimate celebrity poker player Clive Woodward would succeed because he can identify different strategies and approaches to problem-solving. But David Blunkett's attempt to help his ex-lover's nanny obtain a visa, a decision he now regrets, puts him at the bottom of the problem solving category. Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown would also play a good hand, coming out on top for his numeracy skills, and would easily beat failed investment banker Nick leeson, who lost over £1 billion in derivative futures. Famous for his ice-cool demeanour, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger's ability to keep a clear head and make rational decisions would make him a good poker player. If pitted against Real Madrid ace, David Beckham, who failed to exercise any self-control during his alleged "textual relations" with Rebecca Loos, he would win hands down. Comic king of the jungle, high-pitched Joe Pasquale has a practical side that would see him beat off competition from pampered diva Jennifer Lopez. Also among the elite bluffers is flexible Ben Elton, who can adapt to any situation and seizes opportunities that come his way, but football star Rio Ferdinand wouldn't stand a chance after his outright refusal to cancel a shopping trip to take a drugs test led to an eight-month ban. Potential poker supremo Davina McCall, who has juggled her career and family with great strategic skill, would put Prime Minister Tony Blair to shame. The report revealed the Prime Minister's lack of ability to formulate a gameplan quickly, as became evident when he came under increasing pressure over the war in Iraq, would see him lose his chips before he's begun. Knowingly deceiving an opponent through good face management is also key to winning, an area of expertise for the infamous Lord Lucan, but quiet Chelsea footballer, Ashley Cole, would not fair as well. But openly self-critical Cherie Blair, who admitted "I am not superwoman", would show up her husband and easily beat Gerald Ratner, whose jewellery empire collapsed after he went a step too far and declared his products were "crap". Another female topping the lists is a lady who knows how to maximise her assets, reality TV star and glamour model, Jordan. She came top in the self-awareness stakes, ahead of shamed Boris Johnson who caused offence in Liverpool by saying the city was "hooked in grief". But when it comes to being open to learning Britney Spears takes the lead. Not one to rest on her laurels she has learnt from her first failed marriage, with a more successful second one. A lesson Charlotte Church would do well to heed, curbing her passion for boys who kiss and tell. Matt Robinson, marketing manager for gambling site 888.com, who commissioned the report, said: "This report shows that poker is a game of skill rather than luck. "The report reveals that some celebrities just wouldn’t be able to hack it in the high-pressure atmosphere of a poker game." All these techniques can easily be transferred to other areas of life, so if you are looking for a promotion you would do well to bear these points in mind