Coronation Street Ollie Drawn Into Idris’ Dramatic Poker Plot

Ollie is set to find himself at the centre of Idris Sharma’s increasingly risky Speed Daal ambitions in Coronation Street when his poker skills make him the perfect person for a secret money-making scheme.

Idris is under pressure after Alya Nazir tells him she wants £50,000 for her share of Speed Daal. He is still £15,000 short, leaving him searching for a way to close the gap without losing the opportunity to secure the restaurant.

His attention soon turns to Ollie after he discovers that he is an experienced poker player. Rather than simply asking Ollie to try his luck at the table, Idris comes up with a much more calculated arrangement. He wants to organise a private poker night at Speed Daal, provide Ollie with the money to play and manipulate the game so that Ollie has the advantage.

In return, Ollie will be allowed to keep a cut of the winnings. For Ollie, the offer gives him the chance to put his poker experience to use, but agreeing to Idris’ proposal also places him directly inside a scheme that Idris is keeping hidden from those closest to him.

Brody Michaelis and Lauren Bolton help prepare Speed Daal ahead of the game, while Lauren overhears some of Idris’ instructions to Ollie. Kit Green and Fiona Middleton are among those who eventually sit down to play, leaving Ollie with the job of delivering the result Idris is expecting.

There is also much more riding on Ollie’s performance than the other players realise. Idris has used £5,000 borrowed from Leanne Battersby as part of the money behind the plan. Leanne has no idea how her cash is being used, while Idris has convinced himself that it is safe because the game has been arranged in Ollie’s favour.

As the night progresses, the other players gradually fall away until Ollie finds himself facing Fiona in the final stages of the game.

Ollie ultimately comes out on top, apparently delivering exactly what Idris wanted. On the surface, the scheme appears to have succeeded and Idris has another potential boost towards the money he needs for Speed Daal.

However, Ollie’s victory does not mean the night ends without consequences. Brody has been secretly drinking and later exposes Idris’ plan to Leanne after Idris confronts him. Lauren has also heard more than Idris may have intended, meaning his supposedly private arrangement with Ollie has already become known to several people.

Ollie may have done his part and won the game, but Idris’ decision to involve him has created another connection to a scheme that is becoming increasingly difficult to keep contained.

What began as a way of using Ollie’s poker experience to solve a financial problem could ultimately become one of the reasons Idris’ carefully constructed plan starts to unravel.

Coronation Street airs on ITV and is available to stream on ITVX. For more Weatherfield news, previews and theories, visit the Coronation Street Hub on SoapLandTV. Images: ITV