Back to basics: Choosing a poker operator
LAST SEPTEMBER the gambling powers-that-be finally laid their cards on the table and the law over poker in pubs became clearer. When it confirmed that pubs were allowed to host limited-stakes gaming, a bewildering array of poker operators started to cater for the demand.
However, there are wide variations between how the operators interpret the law. The most contentious issue is over 'linked gaming', a structure where participants start off playing in the pub but progress through to finals, often held in licensed clubs where significant prizes are on offer.
Some say this ultimately entails players in the pub competing for 'money or prizes of money's worth' way above the £100 limit set by the Gambling Commission.
There has not yet been a test case to set a precedent on this. One thing is certain, though: poker represents significant profits for pubs.
The following is a round-up of what the main poker operators offer pubs. All operate UK-wide.
Nuts Poker League
Pubs participating: more than 500
Cost: £3 per player for standard package; £1-£1.50 per player if licensees run events themselves
Nuts (not connected to the magazine of the same name), shot to prominence in 2006 when founder Steve Bellis won investment for the business on TV show Dragons' Den. The first event took place in November 2005 so Nuts can lay claim to being the first national poker league established in the UK.
A tournament director co-ordinates each game, ensures the leagues are kept up to date, players are kept motivated, and the games comply with the law. Pubs can run the games themselves at a discounted price.
Nuts holds frequent meetings with local authorities, police and the Gambling Commission to ensure it stays within the current legislation, according to Steve.Tel: 01978 262924.
www.thenutspokerleague.com
Redtooth Poker
Pubs participating: more than 1,000
Cost: £20 per week
Redtooth Poker crowned a UK Pub Poker Champion in April at its final, the climax of a tournament which sees players progress through rounds that begin with individual pub leagues. Mark Titterton was awarded a trophy, champagne and a cheque for £1,000.
Redtooth says it has referred to guidance published by the Gambling Commission, and strictly adheres to that in the way the league is run. Prizes at regional finals do not exceed the £100 limit set by the Commission and Redtooth claims to have had the nod from this body for prizes handed out at the national final.
The operator also says that venues are required to provide written poker rules for players as required under the new Gambling Act.
Tel: 01246 813713
www.redtoothpoker.com
Poker in the Pub
Pubs participating: 250
Cost: £20 per week
Poker in the Pub (PITP) was established two years ago. It started with 200 players and has now grown to involve 10,000 players from Scotland to Cornwall.
At this year's national final this month five couples won a holiday in Las Vegas. This was in addition to the £30,000-plus that had already been paid out throughout the year.
PITP chairman Dave Brannan believes poker, like any pub activity, needs to be supported and marketed. He says: "There is no longer any talk about the legal issues of hosting poker in the pub as we are totally compliant with the law. It is more a case of whether it fits with your customers or whether you are willing to invest the time in building a league."
Tel: 01752 675392
www.pokerinthepub.com
The Champions Poker League
Pubs participating: 250
Cost: £15 per week
The Champions Poker League (CPL) has leagues running within major pubco estates including Enterprise Inns and Admiral Taverns.
Until recently, unlike many rivals, its finals - held at Grosvenor casinos - did not promise winners glamorous prizes, but a more conservative £100, the maximum prize stipulated by the Gambling Commission. CPL chief David Meehan claimed this circumvented what he called the "grey area" of the law.
However, in mid-May, Meehan held a meeting with the Gambling Commission at which he claims to have been told that the CPL could hand out prizes of greater value at finals - providing they were held at licensed casinos. This has led the operator to offer much more.
CPL makes a 'proximity promise' - no two venues within three miles of each other will play in a league on the same night of the week to prevent direct competition.Tel: 0121 580 9255
www.championspoker.co.uk
Live Pub Poker League
Pubs participating: more than 200
Cost: £16-£51 per night, dependent on numbers of players
Live Pub Poker League (LPPL) operates nine area leagues, stretching from the south of England to Inverness.
LPPL aims to put "the emphasis on providing fun, social and competitive poker nights", with a prize pool of more than £10,000 on average per month. LPPL prizes in the past have included entry to the Irish Poker Open and weekends in Prague.
The operator consulted with the Gambling Commission in March 2008, with prior correspondence between legal advisers, to ensure all was legally above board.
Tel: 07880 705 565
www.livepubpokerleague.com
Poker Down The Pub
Pubs participating: 82
Cost: £100 plus VAT per month (£40 for assisted opening night)
Pubs are offered a choice of three systems under which they can run their poker nights by Poker Down The Pub (PDTP).
The first is running it on a free-to-play basis, with no cash or prizes involved on the nights, but points being accumulated towards the overall competition.
The second is playing for points and prizes of up to £100 in value per night.
The third is playing small-stakes poker, as permitted by the new legislation.
PDTP has produced a document detailing the conditions that apply to each of these models.
In addition to the main poker nights, pubs are able to arrange their own inter-pub tournaments.
Licensees can also submit players from their pub to play in separate finals, where the overall winner wins expenses-paid entry into a top European poker tournament.Tel: 01623 659 762
www.pokerdownthepub.com
