Sultry model Kara Scott, who is taking the poker world by storm, is returning to Ireland.

The American who raked in a massive €310,000 (£272,574 ) at last year's Paddypowerpoker. com Irish Poker Open, is jetting in for this year's tournament at the Burlington hotel, Dublin, in April.

While male fans are getting hot under the collar, the professional poker player is concentrating on a ‘royal flush' of a different nature. Speaking from her home in California, the Canadian-born poker ace said she is looking forward to some more luck of the Irish.

“I played my best ever poker there last year,” she said.

“It's a lot of money to win for doing something that you love and to earn in such a short space of time, so hopefully I can hold my nerve again.”

Last year's main event attracted 700 players, so a prizepool of €2,240,000 (£1,969,560) is up for grabs. Previous celebrity participants at the tournament, which runs from April 2-5, include snooker player Ken Doherty and former football stars Tony Cascarino and Teddy Sheringham.