Poker game leads to cruise - and proposal

England -- An Eastbourne has man proved you can be lucky at cards as well as lucky in love.

Kiegan Vallely, 28, scooped a $5,000 cruise package by winning a series of online poker tournaments at Ladbrokes.com

And while on the holiday he proposed to his girlfriend of two years, who said 'yes'.

Kiegan wrote his proposal on the sand whilst the Ladbrokes Poker Cruise III was anchored off Haiti.

His romantic gesture was captured by one of the Ladbrokes film crew, who later broadcast the message to the closing party whilst Kiegan fell on bended knee in front of his elated girlfriend, Jenny Orum.

Jenny and Kiegan first met in a packed nightclub in their hometown of Hereford when Kiegan, who is profoundly deaf and able to lip read, saw Jenny compliment him to her friend.

They've become inseparable ever since and are currently both studying together at the University of Brighton.

Along with gaining a fiancée, Kiegan also spent the cruise participating in poker events that saw him playing against the likes of ex-EastEnders star Michael Greco and former football manager Barry Fry.

Having gained a seat in the main event, Kiegan held out for two hours before eventually losing out to a player with trip sevens on the flop.

Fortunately, his luck returned and Kiegan went on to win $900 playing online poker in the Ladbrokes Cruise casino.

Kiegan said, "The cruise was a first for both of us and it certainly won't be the last.

"My proposal to Jenny was the icing on the cake to what was an amazing experience. We really felt part of the 'Ladbrokes community' on board and we can't wait until the next one".

Samantha Alleyne, PR manager for Ladbrokespoker.com, said, "We're delighted that we were able to help Kiegan with such a romantic proposal and we wish them all the happiness in the world.

"We look forward to welcoming back the future Mr and Mrs Vallely on the next Ladbrokes Poker Cruise."

News Added: 20 February, 2008

Number of views : 812