Co-Owner Doug Polk Stepping Away from The Lodge Card Club

Doug Polk, the renowned heads-up no-limit hold'em specialist, has announced his decision to step away from active duties at The Lodge Card Club, the Texas card room he co-owns. This development comes just two months after the club successfully reopened its doors following a period of significant legal turmoil. While Polk will maintain his shares in the business, his active role and involvement will cease, as confirmed in a recent tweet.

Polk's statement on X (formerly Twitter) on July 3, 2026, outlined his reasons for this pivotal shift. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to help establish The Lodge as a premier poker destination in Texas, acknowledging the contributions of the dedicated team, loyal members, and passionate poker community. However, with several other projects demanding more of his time and his family continuing to expand, Polk felt it was the opportune moment to reallocate his focus.

"As many of you know, I've always enjoyed building businesses and taking on new challenges," Polk wrote. "With several other projects demanding more of my time, and my family continuing to grow, I've decided this is the right time to step back from my involvement with The Lodge so I can focus more fully on those priorities. While I'll remain a shareholder, I will no longer have any active role or involvement with The Lodge. The company will move forward under its current leadership."

Polk, alongside popular poker vloggers Andrew Neeme and Brad Owen, acquired a stake in the established Austin-area poker club in 2022. This high-profile trio injected celebrity power into what was already the largest poker room in Texas, significantly elevating its national recognition and transforming it into one of the most recognizable poker brands in the country.

The Lodge boasts an impressive setup, featuring over 70 card tables and a popular livestream. Operating as a membership-based club rather than collecting rake, it navigates the stringent anti-gambling laws in Texas. However, the club faced its most formidable challenge in March when the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) conducted an early morning raid, acting on suspicions of money laundering and illegal gambling. Assets were seized, and the club remained closed for over two months.

Despite the raid and subsequent closure, no arrests were made, and a grand jury ultimately declined to indict The Lodge Card Club. This favorable ruling paved the way for the poker room to reopen its doors in late May, signaling a hard-won victory for the club and its ownership.

As one of the three majority-share co-owners, Polk has been a highly visible and active proponent of The Lodge. He frequently appeared on the club's livestream, proudly sported Lodge merchandise during televised poker events, and often engaged with customers by joining low-stakes games. These hands-on days, however, appear to be drawing to a close.

In his parting remarks, Polk reiterated his confidence in the club's future: "The Lodge has accomplished a great deal over the past several years, and I'm grateful to everyone who helped make that possible. I have every confidence in the current management team, employees, and ownership, who remain committed to providing a first-class experience for players in both Round Rock and San Antonio. I expect The Lodge will continue to thrive."

Polk, along with Jake Abdalla and Jason Levin, collectively control over 60% of The Lodge Card Club. Other notable stakeholders with smaller investments include Andrew Neeme, Brad Owen, Nik Airball, and Ethan "Rampage" Yau, among approximately a dozen others. With the legal issues now firmly in the rearview mirror, and Polk's active ownership concluding, The Lodge looks to continue its journey with a refreshed leadership dynamic.