Well, we finally did it! It’s taken three years in the making but we made poker history last weekend when the doors were flung open to the UK’s first legal poker club.Everything kicked off initially with our Media Launch Party attended by most of the poker magazines and close friends. Due to no liquor license having yet been purchased, it was a free bar for all 200 guests, which everyone happily took advantage off!
Just before we started our first ever freeroll, Rob Yong, MD of DTD said a few words thanking his staff, in particular Nick Whiten, Lee Scott and Nick Watkin, who had been with him from the beginning. Then he called his mother from the crowd to cut the ribbon to the card room causing a massive cheer.
The tournament went on for about 7 hours before being won by Ladbrokes' own Nigel Blower. As you might expect, a great time was had by all with poker, music, wine and song (there just so happened to be a good guitarist in the VIP room) and we celebrated into the early hours. That though was just the Launch Party!
The next day, November 29th, saw our first ever tournament, £100+£10 freezeout, and, to the joy of the male population, Dusk Till Dawn’s exceptionally attractive female hospitality staff. Rumour has it that Rob took a hand in personally choosing them - as they say it's hard being the king! And for our female guests we had the carnal delights of Simon Nowab and Paul Jackson!
Complimentary champagne was handed out at the door and just some of those who tipped a glass with us were Jesse May, Barry Neville and Dave Colclough to name but a few.
The tournament started a little later than expected at 8pm and ended up going on until 6am when a chip count was taken on the last two players, with P. Hamleton winning the first ever Dusk Till Dawn tournament, taking home £3,640. Those who didn’t make the final table though got to enjoy a wide range of STT’s and cash games.
It was much the same the following night again going down to a chip count between the last two players, this time first place going to T. Blake for £3,780.
Then on Saturday it was the Big One – the £500+£50 Main Event, a two day event attended by some of Europe’s best players. After two exhausting days of poker action though, we had our winner in Steve Read (right) who scooped a massive £14,875. On our final day, Sunday, we dialled things back down with another £100+£10 event, which was taken down by A Ahktar for £3,185.
We’d like to thank all of you who joined us this weekend in celebrating the launch of the club!
So, with the opening weekend under our belt, the club is NOW OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Thursday - Sunday. You can book your seats in the DTD lobby up to 2 weeks in advance and they will be allocated on a first come first served basis. For more information about the club, visit www.dusktilldawnpoker.com or to play online visit www.DTDPoker.com