There is art and philosophy lying within the long enduring and ever-popular game of poker. With its distinctive rules and long held traditions, it has evolved into a complex form of intellectual art. The distinguished poker player is not there merely to play a game to pass the time, but he enters the club as a professional at a noble game of rich tradition. For him, the game rises to the level of an intensely creative experience.
Every casino comes equipped with many standard variations of poker. As you know, casinos are business establishments in existence to make a profit, and poker is just one of their many offerings. It may seem to be hoity-toity rubbish, but the aesthete in any field, be it collecting Waterford crystal, or filling a superb wine cellar, will understand the genuine poker player’s devotion to a very special club.
The ambience of a well though out club is very involving – the dealers are friendly public relation experts who know when to get intimate with a client and when to back off, but always are personable. To raise the experience to even higher levels, envision rare Cuban cigar smoke twirling over velvet covered tables and hear the ice tinkling in the rare single malt scotch in its exquisite crystal glass.
It is not terribly difficult to start up a poker club. The first decision to make is whether you want a casual neighborhood hang out or a more formal establishment for the more expert players to frequent. If casual is the way you want to go, all is needed is a right-sized room, some poker tables and chairs, poker chips and several decks of cards.
To make a good place for somber pros, first decide on a good spot which is close to the city center so as to encourage visits, and not so close to any noisy site so as to minimize distraction. Most or all good poker players naturally own cars, but no focused player with a sense of poker esthetics will tolerate noise pollution.
For the new poker club owner, since the game has an illustrious history, this aspect of it should be enhanced in the design. Something akin to historical tradition but with some modern touches to keep it from getting stuffy. Avoid any notion of a “theme” club…way to Disneyesque. Pay attention to factors like noise, color, and light pollution – all are distracting for the player whether amateur or professional. Everything should be slightly muted, exuberance is not what you are after.
No matter if you manage the club yourself or choose to hire one, stay on top of things to ensure your place is operating honestly and responsibly always and that any inharmonious behavior is quickly and discretely rectified. The manager must be a poker aesthete himself, not just any kind of manager. The dealers must be personable, presentable and have a deep understanding of the art of customer service.
The furnishings should be purchased not only for style but for durability as well. Plan for a lounge area where players can take five and relax between rounds, converse with fellow players, enjoy a drink and a good cigar. Add comfortable air conditioning, a comfortable, well-stocked bar with a professional, hospitable bartender. No gentlemen or gentlewoman poker connoisseur will tolerate a long game without good liquor and good smokes.