Entrepreneurs - JJ Hazan

JJ Hazan enters the Den wearing sunglasses, removes them after seating himself behind a poker table and informs the Dragons, "I'm a poker player, I'm a very good poker player."

His offer of an investment in himself as a professional poker player certainly intrigues poker fans Theo Paphitis and James Caan who can't resist the offer to play against him in the Den.

But this poker game seems to alienate the other Dragons who begin to express their annoyance at being left out of the game.

Peter Jones notes that JJ's pitch is quite simple – he's asking Peter to gamble on him. But JJ is quick to retort "I'm not a gambler, I'm a poker player". Peter tells him that although he might not call it gambling he's asking Peter to gamble on him and so for that reason he's out.

Deborah Meaden tells JJ that all she can question him about are his sunglasses, as that's all she understands. There isn't enough time to get her to understand what he's talking about so she chooses not waste his time or hers and declares herself out.

With two Dragons out in quick succession, Theo Paphitis tells JJ that people often call him a gambler as he specializes in taking companies that are distressed and returning them into health again. But he believes he doesn't gamble and instead stacks the cards in his favour by doing his homework. With JJ it isn't possible for him to do the necessary homework on him.

JJ confidently argues back, saying that it may be a different kind of investment but that he has an edge in poker. He tells Theo that he if he hits big he can win a million pounds and asks Theo to name another business which can have that kind of return.

Poker buff Duncan Bannatyne wants to gets down to numbers with JJ and asks how many tournaments JJ plans to win. JJ tells him that he plans to win about 8 out of 33 tournaments. This confuses Duncan as he works out that he shouldn't need the full £65,000 he's asking for as he should be in profit well before he's spent £65,000.

JJ admits that he could win very quickly, in which case he wouldn't need the full amount of money but that he could also not win until much later in his tournament series. But, he also reminds Duncan that when he does win the money it will go to the investor the next day – a much faster return than normal business investments.

For Theo, these arguments aren't enough. He still feels this would be an out and out gamble so on that basis he declares himself out.

James Caan is quick to follow, telling him it's a good unusual pitch but that as it's not really a business investment. He, too, is out.

JJ's last remaining hope is poker aficionado Duncan Bannatyne who tells him he looks forward to playing against him. But, playing against him is the only gamble Duncan is prepared to take as he lays his cards on the table and declares himself out.

The deal done in the Den: No investment.

Last updated: 22 July 2009