Brownwood’s Royal Card Club brings poker to the community

BROWNWOOD, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) — When it comes to poker, most people play a friendly game in the garage of a friend’s house or even travel out of state to enjoy the game on a more professional level, but one Brownwood business is allowing players to enjoy the game right here in the Big Country.

It’s called The Royal Card Club. Robert Clark, part owner and one of the minds behind bringing a legal poker room to Brownwood, said one of the goals for the new business is to establish a community gathering place for individuals who share the love of the game of poker.

“There’s two groups of people. There are people who play poker three or four times a week, and there are people who play at the kitchen table with friends and family, and they really would like to play more often, but they don’t want to go through the hassle of having to organize a game,” Clark explained.

Clark explained that poker is legal in Texas because it is not considered a game of luck but rather one that relies on skill. He added that at his establishment, the customer isn’t playing the house but rather their fellow players, and the business is merely providing a seat.

“Poker is legal if it’s a private club and if all we charge is a seat fee, so we don’t take any money off the table, we’re no different than a yoga studio where they’re renting yoga mats,” Clark shared.

Brownwood local Shaunna Simpson works in the downtown area. She reflected on what the Brownwood community might think of this type of establishment and her feelings towards the new business.

“I think you’re going to have people that are going to enjoy it, and I think you’re going to have people that look down on it. I don’t know much about poker, but I’m willing to learn. I think it’ll be something fun to do for a date night. And you know something? My husband doesn’t know what it is either, so just something you could learn and do together,” Simpson shared.

The Royal Card Club will open its doors on March 15th at 102 South Broadway in downtown Brownwood.