Harry Leadbeater has never been much of a poker player, but he admits he could crack Las Vegas with his skills.
The grateful second row has made the most of the opportunity gifted to him by providing vital possession to build a platform from with stolen lineout ball.
The 24-year-old has made a habit of being in the right place at the right time since stepping up from The Dorset Dockers and the lock has made the most of it.
He said: “I don’t play poker so it would be a push to say I have a talent to be able to read a player or a hookers ‘tell’
“Again it is something I am trying to develop and get better at all of the time and I am just hoping for the best.
“The coaches are great here at Bournemouth and are all really knowledgable about the game and are all very approachable.
“They have all made me feel really comfortable and only now I am starting to feel like I can affect games - rather then just be a part of them.”
The set-piece is one of the areas Director Of Rugby Will Croker has been working hard on in preparation for the South West Premier trip to Brixham this week.
Like any rugby player, Leadbeater simply enjoys playing the game at any level -but he particularly relishes being a nuisance for opposition hookers.
He added: “I really like defending lineouts because I really like the opportunity to steal the opposition ball, and make an impact on the game.
“But I have got to give credit to the lifters here because there are obviously some strong boys here.
“They can throw me up, let go of me and then catch me again so they can get me up in the air to steal that ball so it is just about trying to read the opposite hookers’ tell, which can be quite hard.
“It is very hard against sides whose hookers are very mischievous about it but luckily last week it came off two or three times.”