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The Den Poker Lounge, founded and owned by Marjorie Bradford and Jamie Kempf, is scheduled to open Nov. 12 in Rowlett, Texas, making it one of the first women-owned poker rooms in the state.
The private social club sits about 20 minutes east of downtown Dallas and will be open seven days a week, according to its website. The Rowlett Chamber of Commerce lists its address as 6320 Dalrock Road, Suite 100.
Women-owned Texas poker room open to every player
Bradford and Kempf want to increase female representation in poker, but everyone is welcome. The Den’s website describes the club as built for “games, conversation, connection, and community.”
Like other Texas card rooms, The Den must operate around the state’s strict anti-gambling laws. It does so through memberships and says it takes no rake, charging flat access and hourly seat fees instead. Players pay for time, also called a seat fee, whenever they play cash games.
The state has no legal, regulated online casinos or online poker, though Texas sweepstakes and social casino sites are available.
Memberships cost $15 a week, $35 a month or $275 a year. Active-duty and retired military members and first responders receive a free weekly membership with valid ID. Poker industry workers get 50% off both membership and cash-game time with a valid employee ID.
Founders aim for welcoming community feel
“This has been a project over two years in the making,” Kempf told PokerNews. “Poker has always been a passion for myself and Marjorie, and we’ve spent a lot of time thinking about how we could bring something different to the poker community.
“We wanted The Den to be more than just another poker room. We wanted a place with a great atmosphere, a strong sense of community, and somewhere people genuinely enjoy spending their time. We’re really proud of what we’re building, and can’t wait to share it with everyone.”
The Den plans to have about 15 poker tables, Kempf told PokerNews. No-limit Hold’em games will start at $1/$2 and could eventually reach $50/$100, with Pot-Limit Omaha, mixed games and bomb pot games added based on player interest.
