Champions Social Club — a new elite poker club in Dallas

Learn how the legendary steakhouse III Forks transformed into the unique poker club Champions Social Club, becoming the center of poker life in Dallas.

In 2023, the Dallas poker community scored an important victory in a legal dispute, which allowed preparations to begin for the opening of the new Champions Social Club poker club. This venue, located in the building of the legendary III Forks steakhouse, quickly became one of the most talked-about poker locations in Texas thanks to its unique format and ambitious team. Transforming an Iconic Restaurant into an Elite Poker Club Champions Social Club took over the space previously occupied by the famous III Forks steakhouse, known throughout the area as a symbol of high-level service and fine dining. The new club has preserved the atmosphere of an upscale restaurant: the sense of style and luxury is still present here, which sets Champions apart from other poker venues in the region. Now, it’s not just a place to play, but a venue that combines the best traditions of gastronomy and poker. For several months, the club’s team worked on redesigning and preparing the space to provide players not only with comfort but also with an atmosphere of privacy and coziness. As a result, Champions Social Club has become one of the most unique poker rooms in the state, blending comfort, style, and a high level of service. An Experienced Leader: John Hardin and His Approach John Hardin, Poker Director at Champions Social Club, has an impressive professional background. He has worked in the poker industry since the 2000s: he played himself, worked as a dealer at Bellagio (Las Vegas), and organized private games in Atlanta. Among his achievements is managing the legendary Bobby’s Room at Bellagio, where the world’s highest-stakes cash games with top professionals take place. Although Hardin is not a Dallas native, he accepted the offer to head the new poker room in this city, which, despite a complicated legal environment and periodic attempts by local politicians to shut down such clubs, continues to develop its poker industry. Since taking the position six months ago, Hardin has been actively building relationships with local players. According to him, many well-known poker players in the region know him from his time at Bobby’s Room, and his experience working with different poker teams helps him better understand the audience’s expectations. “Poker in Texas is a game with a rich history. We’re not trying to take over the whole market; our goal is to create a high-level atmosphere. If you’re looking for the most enjoyable place to play, Champions is your choice. If that approach doesn’t appeal to you, maybe you’re not our target audience,” Hardin notes. Club Concept: An Elite Space for the Select Few Champions Social Club does not aim to become the largest poker room in Dallas. Instead, the team focuses on quality and exclusivity. Hardin emphasizes that the club is not trying to compete with large rooms like Texas Card House in terms of the number of tables or the scale of games. The main goal is to create a unique atmosphere and attract players who value comfort, privacy, and a high level of service. The club has already hosted several major private games, as well as cash games in Pot-Limit Omaha and No-Limit Hold’em formats. Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO) differs from classic No-Limit Hold’em in that players receive four cards, and the maximum bet is limited to the size of the pot. This makes the game more dynamic and popular among experienced players. In addition to regular cash games, Champions Social Club offers the possibility of hosting private and semi-private events, which is especially in demand among professionals and fans of exclusive gatherings. Hardin notes that the club is gradually expanding its offerings based on the wishes of regular guests and the capabilities of the venue. “We build our offering based on the real needs of players. We start with one game and gradually expand the selection, while maintaining a high standard of quality,” says the club director. Gastronomy as Part of the Poker Experience One of the key features of Champions Social Club is its restaurant-level cuisine. Executive chef Connie Trujillo worked at III Forks until it closed in 2020, and has now returned to the revamped venue to offer guests a refined menu. The club offers a full menu of dishes and wines for both lunch and dinner. John Hardin emphasizes that the quality of the cuisine at Champions far exceeds the standard offerings of poker clubs: “The menu here is much more interesting than anything I’ve seen at other poker venues. This is a full-fledged restaurant that can attract guests on its own.” This approach allows the club not only to retain regular players but also to attract new guests who are looking not only for quality games but also for a high level of service and gastronomy. Player Acquisition Strategy and Club Development One of the main tasks for Champions Social Club is to convince local players to try the new format and appreciate the club’s advantages. Hardin admits that many poker players are used to their regular games in large rooms, and it’s not easy to lure them away. However, he is betting on a long-term strategy: inviting players to simply come, check out the club, socialize, have a drink at the bar, and experience the atmosphere. “I’m not asking you to become a regular member right away. Just drop by, take a look, play, or just spend some time at the bar. The atmosphere here reminds me of the excitement I felt when I first walked into the poker room at Wynn,” Hardin shares. The club operates a membership system, but Hardin emphasizes that he’s not looking to ‘marry’ every guest right away—the main thing is for players to try the new experience and make their choice consciously. The Champions Network: Houston Experience and Phil Hellmuth’s Involvement Champions Social Club is not just a new project in Dallas, but also part of an already established network. In Houston, a club of the same name operates, which features a unique aspect for Texas—a hotel on the premises. This is rare for the local industry, where most clubs are limited to just gaming space. The club’s co-owner is Poker Hall of Famer Phil Hellmuth, who regularly comes to Texas to play in live-streamed games. His involvement adds extra prestige and draws attention from the professional community. Table of Key Facts and Results Club Name: Champions Social Club City: Dallas, Texas Opening Date: after the legal victory in 2023 Previously in the Building: III Forks steakhouse Poker Director: John Hardin Executive Chef: Connie Trujillo Game Formats: Pot-Limit Omaha cash games, No-Limit Hold’em, private and semi-private games Features: restaurant menu, wine list, elite club atmosphere Related Projects: Champions Social Club in Houston with a hotel Co-owners: Phil Hellmuth What This Means for PPPoker Club Players The opening of Champions Social Club in Dallas demonstrates that even in a challenging legal environment and with high competition, poker clubs can thrive through unique positioning and a high level of service. For PPPoker club players, this is a good example of how not only prize pools and the number of tables matter, but also the atmosphere, comfort, and additional services. Players used to the online format can take note of the Champions approach: creating private games, a personalized approach to guests, an expanded menu, and additional services. All of this can be adapted to online clubs as well—for example, through exclusive tournaments, VIP programs, or extra perks for regular members. Moreover, the story of Champions Social Club highlights the importance of long-term relationships with players and flexibility in working with the audience. It’s not always necessary to strive for mass appeal—sometimes it’s exclusivity and attention to detail that become the key to success and player loyalty, both in offline and online poker.