Although Texas Hold’em is far and away the most popular format of poker, the state it’s named for outlaws most forms of gambling, including raked poker. Nonetheless, it’s home to a thriving live poker scene thanks to social card clubs that skirt the rules by charging for membership and “seat rental,” rather than taking money from the pot.
One notable room in the state is The Lodge, part-owned by celebrity player, streamer, and coaching site owner Doug Polk.
There is no regulated iGaming or sports betting in Texas. Retail casino gambling is limited to two “Class II” tribal casinos offering electronic bingo.
Efforts to change that are underway, spearheaded by Las Vegas Sands, which wants to open a destination casino resort in the state. However, the Republican-dominated Senate is vehemently opposed to all forms of gambling, and is even considering eliminating the state lottery, leaving the situation at an impasse.
The Lodge Card Club will remain closed indefinitely after staff were laid off permanently, as a months-long legal battle lies… Continue reading Lodge Lays Off Staff, Remains Closed Indefinitely After County DA Takes Aim
The Lodge Card Club released a statement on Sunday after several days of speculation following the news of a raid… Continue reading The Lodge Closed Until Further Notice; Doug Polk Releases Statement
The World Poker Tour postponed the upcoming WPT Wildcard event at the Lodge Poker Club in Round Rock, Texas, following… Continue reading WPT Postpones Event at The Lodge Following Raid
Reports broke on Tuesday morning on Reddit that the popular card club, the Lodge Poker Club in Round Rock, Texas,… Continue reading Early Reports: The Lodge Raided By State Police and TABC
A Texas mayor was arrested as part of a wider gambling sting in Hitchcock, located just onshore across the West… Continue reading Texas Mayor Arrested in Gambling Sting as Galveston Stays True to 100-Year-Old History
Prediction market provider Kalshi and popular poker room The Lodge Card Club have announced a partnership that makes Kalshi the… Continue reading The Lodge Card Club Inks Partnership with Kalshi as ‘Predictive Market Partner’
On Sunday, The Lodge in Texas hosted a WPT side event called Wildcard Mystery Bounty Chaos, featuring perhaps the most absurd twist on… Continue reading ‘WPT Wildcard Mystery Bounty Chaos’ at the Lodge: a Game Designer’s Perspective
Lodge Card Club Austin, the popular card room in Texas owned in part by Doug Polk, averted a possible overlay… Continue reading The Lodge Sounds Social Media Alarm, Dodges Another Overlay
Two individuals died and five more were injured in a shooting on Saturday night outside Lucky Eagle Casino in Eagle… Continue reading Shooting at Lucky Eagle Casino in Texas Leaves Two Dead, Five Injured
Texas Card House (TCH) appears to have won a definitive legal victory against the city of Dallas, fending off a… Continue reading Texas Card House Wins in Court, Affirming Legality of Social Poker Rooms Despite Challenge by City of Dallas
