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Following a legal victory last year for Dallas-area poker clubs, Champions Social Club has opened its doors in a space once occupied by the well-known III Forks steakhouse. The venue retains much of its upscale steakhouse ambiance, giving it a distinct feel compared to typical Texas card rooms.
Leading the operation is poker director John Hardin, a veteran of the industry since the 2000s who previously dealt at the Bellagio in Las Vegas and managed the famed Bobby’s Room, home to some of the highest-stakes cash games in the world. Hardin also has experience running private games in Atlanta before taking on the Dallas role six months ago.
Despite ongoing zoning challenges and political pushback against social poker clubs in Texas, Hardin sees opportunity in Dallas’s passionate poker scene. He noted his prior connections with players and staff from his Bobby’s Room days have helped him build relationships in the area.
Rather than trying to dominate the local market, Hardin says Champions is focused on creating an elevated, curated experience. He explained that maintaining a polished environment naturally attracts a certain caliber of clientele, even if it means appealing to a smaller audience.
The club has already hosted notable private games, including Pot-Limit Omaha and No-Limit Hold’em cash games, and plans to expand offerings gradually as demand grows. Beyond poker, Champions features an extensive food and wine menu overseen by Executive Chef Connie Trujillo, who also worked at the original III Forks steakhouse before its 2020 closure.
Champions also operates an established room in Houston with an attached hotel, co-owned by Poker Hall of Famer Phil Hellmuth, who occasionally visits to play on livestreamed events.
