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A poker game between the males of Albert Square separates the men from the boys. As the stakes are raised, who comes up trumps: Phil or Derek? Roxy comes to a shocking realisation.

Max wants to cook dinner but Tanya’s hosting book club. Although Roxy and Mandy are excluded, Alfie thinks Roxy should go. Mandy and Roxy reminisce about past nights out and gate crash book club. The women toast to Tanya’s recovery and discuss men. While Bianca would pick Alfie, Roxy wants someone who’s on her side. Tipsy, Roxy blurts Tanya’s dealt amazingly with the strain on her relationship. Cora overhears and confronts Roxy, who laughs it off, then Max. Max claims he rejected Roxy and calls her at Cora’s insistence. Roxy’s humiliated but lies that she offered herself on a plate. Cora’s still suspicious. Later, Roxy sobs to Alfie she was seeing a married man, and confesses her loneliness. Alfie dries her tears and hugs her. Roxy’s stunned - the right man’s been there all along.
Ian deflects Mandy’s suggestion of a night in in favour of the poker game. At book club, Mandy sings Ian’s praises - he’s romantic and sweet. Later, Ian’s paranoid when the women drunkenly giggle about him. Frustrated, Mandy snaps it happens to every man. The women shriek as Ian flees, mortified.
Alfie refuses a job from Derek but agrees to a poker game. Stirring trouble, Michael invites Phil. When forced, Alfie chooses Phil over Derek when they both want to use their own cards. Derek wants to play cash only. When Phil emerges victorious, Alfie hints the rent will be difficult but Phil’s unsympathetic. Desperate for cash, Alfie accepts Derek’s job and tells Roxy he has a plan.
Denise’s irate when Zainab serves Jack in the Minute Mart when he’s still barred. Kim’s jealous when Tanya and Zainab think Ray’s fit. Zainab wants Denise to go on a blind date.
At book club, Bianca sneaks food into her handbag. Dot’s upset no-one’s mentioned Heather and leaves early.

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30 minutes

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Credits

Role Contributor
Roxy Mitchell Rita Simons
Alfie Moon Shane Richie
Cora Cross Ann Mitchell
Max Branning Jake Wood
Tanya Jessop Jo Joyner
Derek Branning Jamie Foreman
Michael Moon Steve John Shepherd
Phil Mitchell Steve McFadden
Ian Beale Adam Woodyatt
Mandy Salter Nicola Stapleton
Kim Fox Tameka Empson
Denise Fox Diane Parish
Zainab Khan Nina Wadia
Dot Branning June Brown
Jack Branning Scott Maslen
Bianca Butcher Patsy Palmer
Carol Jackson Lindsey Coulson
Executive Producer Bryan Kirkwood
Director Ian White
Writer Wendy Granditer

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