Poker Writer
The World Poker Tour postponed the upcoming WPT Wildcard event at the Lodge Poker Club in Round Rock, Texas, following the raid on the card club by police and Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) officers on Tuesday.
WPT announced the postponement on Wednesday on X, citing “unforeseen circumstances.” The event was scheduled to take place this coming weekend, from March 13-15.
The decision was made due to circumstances outside of WPT’s control that impact event operations. We recognize that many players had planned to attend and appreciate their understanding. Updated dates and additional details will be announced once finalized. Thank you for your patience and continued support.
The raid on the Lodge has created an uncertain environment for poker. All operations there have ceased for the time being. Lodge’s cash game waitlist is currently blank after it had shown some operating games yesterday.
The latest mishap continues a trend of navigating rough waters for the WPT. It also postponed a planned event in Cyprus due to international conflict breaking out in the Middle East, disrupting planned flights for staff and players.
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Polk Promises Statement, Quarrels With Dwan
There have been no updates on the Lodge website or X account since the raid. The only word has come from Lodge co-owner Doug Polk. He promised an in-depth statement within the next day while waiting for additional information.
Many responses supported Polk. Most indicated that they were pulling for him to clear it up and get things sorted out.
But not all comments were positive. Cash game legend Tom Dwan was the most critical, suggesting that what is happening to the Lodge is karma for Polk’s sometimes combative content strategy. He said in reply to Polk:
You built much of your brand on going after people in times like this. I hope you can take a minute to reflect, and realize the negatives of some of those choices. Hope you do stuff like that less in the future.
Polk quickly fired back only 30 minutes:
I have personally guaranteed that all player funds will be safe as this witch hunt from TABC plays out. You still allegedly owe tens of millions. Shut the fuck up.
Polk calls the situation a “TABC witch hunt.” That jives with the possibility that the raid stemmed from a liquor licensing issue and not something poker-related. He also promised the funds would be safe, something that a couple of players with money at stake questioned.
April WSOP Circuit Event in Jeopardy?
The postponement of the WPT event at The Lodge is likely to raise some eyebrows for the World Series of Poker Circuit, scheduled to hold a stop at the nearby Texas Card House in Austin.
That festival runs from April 23 through May 4 and breaks new ground for the WSOPC.
It is yet unknown what the exact reason for the raid on the Lodge is. If Texas authorities are turning unfriendly toward state cardrooms, the WSOP may become wary about holding an event there.
The most recent signals along that line have been positive. Last September, TCH won a landmark court case against the city of Dallas, with the help of the Lodge.
Liquor licenses are serious business, and running afoul of such regulations can have devastating consequences. If indeed that’s the root of Lodge’s issues, then players can expect other Texas cardrooms to continue with business as usual. If something gambling-related is afoot, then more widespread consequences could follow.
Image credit: Ivan Radic/Flickr (license)
