The first women’s poker club in Texas, The Den Poker Lounge, will open soon

In Rowlett, Texas, the first entirely women-owned poker club is opening. The grand opening of The Den Poker Lounge will take place on November 12.

Texas is preparing to open its first poker club in the state that is entirely women-owned. The Den Poker Lounge , founded by Marjorie Bradford and Jamie Kempf, will hold its grand opening ceremony on November 12 in the city of Rowlett, which is part of the Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area. The club doors will open to guests at 3:00 PM local time, with the official ribbon-cutting scheduled for 4:00 PM. Women’s Leadership and Openness to All Although Texas has strict laws against gambling, many poker clubs operate legally thanks to a membership model: players pay to join the club, not for each hand played. The Den Poker Lounge will function as a social club, offering membership to anyone interested in playing poker. The founders emphasize that the club is focused on creating a comfortable environment for women in poker—an industry traditionally considered male-dominated. However, according to Jamie Kempf, “we want everyone to feel welcome here.” The club does not restrict entry to women only, but aims to bring together all poker enthusiasts in a friendly and supportive atmosphere. Jamie Kempf, who finished second at a WSOP Circuit event in 2024, notes that work on the project has been ongoing for more than two years. She explains: “Poker has always been our passion with Marjorie, and we spent a long time thinking about how to bring something new to the poker community.” According to her, the main goal is not just to open another poker room, but to create a place with a special atmosphere and a strong sense of community, where players truly want to spend their time. Kempf also shares that she has already received a lot of positive feedback from players, and both founders are proud to be creating a unique project for the region. Features of The Den and the Dallas Poker Scene The opening of The Den Poker Lounge will be the first time in Texas history that a poker club is entirely women-owned. However, this is not the first attempt to highlight women’s participation in poker: in 2024, Austin was home to The Royal Card Club with a similar concept. The Dallas–Fort Worth region is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the US, with a population of about 8.5 million people, where poker is extremely popular. Major poker clubs already operate in the area, such as Texas Card House (two locations) and Palace Poker , which regularly attract hundreds of players. Thus, The Den will enter a competitive environment where demand for poker games remains consistently high. Game Format and Player Offerings According to Jamie Kempf, the club plans to have 15 poker tables. The main game will be No-Limit Hold'em —the most popular poker format, where players can bet any amount of chips at any point in the hand. The range of limits will be broad: from tables with $1/$2 blinds to high-stakes games up to $50/$100. Additionally, depending on player interest, the schedule will include games such as Pot-Limit Omaha (a poker variant with four hole cards and a betting cap), mixed games (combinations of various poker disciplines), as well as the Texas favorite bomb pot —special hands where all players put in a mandatory bet into the pot before the flop is dealt. Social Mission and Future Plans The creators of The Den emphasize that their goal is not only to provide players with quality service, but also to promote the development of women’s poker. According to them, more and more women have shown interest in the game in recent years, and clubs with a friendly atmosphere help them feel more confident at the tables. Jamie Kempf notes that The Den is designed as a place where players can not only compete, but also socialize, learn, and share experiences. This approach, according to the founders, will help make poker more accessible and appealing to different groups of players. Competition and Prospects Although The Den will be the first fully women-owned club in the state, it will have to compete with already established poker venues in the region. Given the population size and the developed poker infrastructure, the new club has every chance to carve out its own niche, especially among players seeking a more comfortable and inclusive atmosphere. The founders are confident that their project will attract both experienced players and newcomers who want to try poker in a supportive environment. What This Means for PPPoker Club Players For members of clubs on the PPPoker platform, the opening of The Den Poker Lounge in Texas is a vivid example of how poker communities can develop by focusing on inclusivity and comfort for all players. Even if you play online, The Den’s experience shows that creating a friendly atmosphere and supporting new members is key to a club’s long-term success. Players should take note of the variety of formats offered by The Den: from classic No-Limit Hold'em to Pot-Limit Omaha and mixed games. This could inspire PPPoker club administrators to expand their own schedules to attract different categories of players. Finally, The Den’s example demonstrates that women’s leadership and initiatives in poker resonate with a wide audience. Supporting women in poker clubs is not only a socially important goal, but also a way to make the poker community more diverse and stronger.