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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鈥檚 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鈥檚 recovery and discuss men. While Bianca would pick Alfie, Roxy wants someone who鈥檚 on her side. Tipsy, Roxy blurts Tanya鈥檚 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鈥檚 insistence. Roxy鈥檚 humiliated but lies that she offered herself on a plate. Cora鈥檚 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鈥檚 stunned - the right man鈥檚 been there all along.
Ian deflects Mandy鈥檚 suggestion of a night in in favour of the poker game. At book club, Mandy sings Ian鈥檚 praises - he鈥檚 romantic and sweet. Later, Ian鈥檚 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鈥檚 unsympathetic. Desperate for cash, Alfie accepts Derek鈥檚 job and tells Roxy he has a plan.
Denise鈥檚 irate when Zainab serves Jack in the Minute Mart when he鈥檚 still barred. Kim鈥檚 jealous when Tanya and Zainab think Ray鈥檚 fit. Zainab wants Denise to go on a blind date.
At book club, Bianca sneaks food into her handbag. Dot鈥檚 upset no-one鈥檚 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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