Doug Polk‘s attempt to open a large poker room near Dallas failed due to a city vote earlier this month. Despite this setback, Polk and his investor team, including poker vloggers Andrew Neeme and Brad Owen, are now set to take over what will soon be the largest card room in Texas.
While playing in the Hustler Casino Live Million Dollar Game, Polk announced on Wednesday’s HCL stream that his team has purchased Rounders Card Club in San Antonio. They plan to rename it The Lodge Card Club San Antonio. The group already owns The Lodge Card Club in Round Rock, near Austin, which is currently the largest poker room in Texas with over 70 tables.
New Poker Room Plans
Before the Hustler Casino Live stream, Polk shared his plans with reporters and explained his choice of the San Antonio market.
“Market is very fragmented in San Antonio,” Polk said. “When you look at very fragmented markets, there is an opportunity for someone to come in and put together the most cohesive package and consolidate the market.”
He also noted the rapid growth along the Interstate 35 corridor between San Antonio and Austin.
With 2.5 million residents, San Antonio is the third largest metropolitan area in Texas, following Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston. The drive from The Lodge Card Club to Rounders is about two hours, but Polk doesn’t think the new room will take players away from The Lodge.
Expansion of Rounders Card Club
Rounders Card Club, the largest in San Antonio with 30 poker tables, is about to expand. Polk announced a lease for a larger unit next door, doubling the current space. This expansion will increase the number of tables to 70-80, making it the largest poker venue in Texas.
Polk, Neeme, Owen, and their team will take control of Rounders Card Club on July 3.
Future Poker Business Plans
Polk’s ambitions don’t end with San Antonio. He plans to open poker rooms in all major Texas cities, including Dallas, although he won’t revisit Farmers Branch, the town that recently rejected his plans. Instead, he’ll search for another location within the Dallas-Fort Worth area. He has also looked into opening poker rooms outside Texas but hasn’t found a suitable state yet.
In January 2022, Polk, Neeme, and Owen bought The Lodge Card Club and grew it into Texas’ largest and one of the best poker rooms in the US. They aim to replicate this success with Rounders Card Club in San Antonio.
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