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Lodge Card Club Reopening Date Set Following Poker Room Raid
- Lodge Card Club reopens May 26 after raid and legal clearance.
- All charges dropped; assets and staff restored.
- New tournaments, restaurant, and livestream returning.
Image Credit: The Lodge Card Club Twitter
The Lodge Card Club in Texas will reopen May 26 following a March raid. After a Grand Jury declined to indict shareholders, the club regained its seized assets. The reopening includes tournaments, a new restaurant, and the popular livestream’s return.
The Lodge Card Club, the largest poker room in Texas, has officially announced it will reopen its doors on May 26.
This return comes after the Austin area venue was forced to cease operations on March 10 following a law enforcement raid.
According to a social media announcement, the club will resume activities at 9 a.m. with a full schedule of cash games and tournaments.
Legal Challenges and Favorable Grand Jury Ruling
The closure of the facility, which features nearly 70 card tables, was the result of a raid conducted by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC).
Authorities initiated the action based on suspicions of money laundering, organized crime, and illegal gambling.
During the investigation, assets including cash were seized, which effectively halted operations for the card room and its ownership group.
Top shareholders Doug Polk, Jason Levin, and Jake Abdalla were central figures in the investigation. However, the legal landscape shifted on April 28 when a Grand Jury voted against indictment.
This decision ensured that no formal charges would be filed and mandated the TABC to return all seized assets.
With the legal hurdle cleared, the ownership began preparations to resume business at the Round Rock location and its sister site in San Antonio.
Preparations for the Grand Reopening
In the weeks leading up to the May 26 launch, management focused on operational logistics, including the rehiring of staff members who were laid off during the two month hiatus. The chosen reopening date aligns with the start of the 2026 World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. The tournament schedule for the first day of operation is already set:
- 10:15 am: A $50 no-limit hold'em turbo event marks the first competition since March.
- Afternoon/Evening: Two additional low-stakes tournaments are scheduled.
In addition to poker, the facility is debuting a new dining experience. The previous Odds Bar & Bistro has been replaced by Frank & Margie's.
This chef-driven Italian American restaurant is designed to appeal to both players and the local Round Rock community, with an opening date of May 16.
Return of the "Poker at the Lodge" Livestream
The club's popular livestream, Poker at the Lodge, which boasts 239,000 YouTube subscribers, is also expected to return. While a May 26 broadcast date is not yet official, it remains the target for the production team.
Slick Rick, the Head of Sales and lead commentator, noted that the spring closure was an emotional blow to employees and members.
He stated that after two and a half months, the team is focused on continuing the eight year history of the club and resuming their award-winning livestream production.
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