A BRITISH poker player has scooped megabucks in Las Vegas.

Sam Razavi, from Brighton, cashed 725,000 dollars in a World Series of Poker (WSOP) event on Thursday, the biggest win of his career so far.

The 37-year-old came second in the Millionaire Maker event out of 7,361 entrants to win the equivalent of almost £546,000.

He missed out on the 1.2 million dollar reward for the winner – but was not too fussed.

Sam, who now lives in the Philippines with his family, said: “It’s a bittersweet result as this is now my second final table at the WSOP but the bracelet still eludes me.

“The cash definitely heals the wounds though.”

The WSOP is the biggest poker event on the calendar.

Former Varndean High School pupil Sam began his poker career playing online 12 years ago.

But before he turned pro, he would chance his arm in casinos around Brighton, including the Rendezvous at the Marina.

The Rendezvous, of course, is worlds away from the bright lights of Vegas but Sam, when back in town, does stop off to remember where it all began.

He said: “Obviously the WSOP is the biggest poker event of the year and the whole world is watching.

“There are so many events to choose from and every day you are playing for a share of millions of dollars.

“But I will still always play tournaments at the Rendezvous, no matter how small.

“The pressure to perform is off, I can relax and enjoy it and socialise, and it’s where everything began so it always gives me a sense of nostalgia playing there.

“It’s important no matter your standing in life or what you have achieved, never to forget your roots and where you came from.”

His first major cash was a 225,000-dollar sixth-placed finish in the Aussie Millions main event in Australia – the same stage Albion owner Tony Bloom has enjoyed flutters and big wins on – seven years ago.

Sam hit big Down Under again the following year, winning a tournament in Melbourne for 326,000 Australian dollars.

He settled in the Philippines in 2012 and focused on the Asian poker circuit.

He was named Asian Poker Tour Player of the Year four years in a row – but he has yearned for one of the gold bracelets awarded for winning WSOP events.

Last week was his most successful effort to date, having come fourth in one event in 2015.

“Obviously this is the dream and the pinnacle of any poker players career to win a WSOP bracelet,” Sam said.

“So I will be going all guns blazing to try to have as many more shots as possible to win a bracelet this year.

“Otherwise, it’s back to the blueprints for next year.”

His career total live earnings now exceed £1.8 million after last week’s jackpot.