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Champions Club Texas in Houston, co-owned by Phil Hellmuth, has named Mike Traylor as its new Poker Director. The appointment comes as the club prepares to host the upcoming RunGood Poker Series (RGPS) tournament series later this month.
Traylor brings years of Texas poker industry experience to the role. He began dealing low-stakes games in 2011 before working his way up to General Manager of a private club by 2015. In 2022, he joined Texas Card House Spring in the Houston area, later becoming its General Manager before departing in July to join Champions Club.
Champions Club stands out in the Texas poker scene as the only card room with an attached hotel, a former Hampton Inn that now offers on-site lodging, a pool, and a fitness center for traveling players. Traylor praised the club’s amenities, food offerings, and livestream production as among the best in Houston.
Despite the strong foundation, Traylor said he spent his first month observing operations before introducing new training and development initiatives for dealers and staff. He emphasized that poker should prioritize guest entertainment, not just financial outcomes.
One of the biggest changes under Traylor’s leadership has been the complete elimination of the club’s prop player program. He explained that while the system was originally designed to keep games running, it ultimately limited action and hurt the overall player experience.
Traylor hopes to reposition Champions Club as a premier destination for both tournaments and cash games at all stakes, shedding its reputation as primarily a tournament-focused venue. The club also recently launched its largest-ever promotion, the Rebirth of Champions campaign, which began October 1 and will run into early 2027, offering more than $150,000 in prizes.
