Doug Polk steps back from daily role at The Lodge

On July 3, 2026, poker professional Doug Polk announced on X that he will step away from day-to-day operations at The Lodge Card Club while retaining an ownership stake. He wrote that increased commitments to other projects and a growing family led him to reduce his active involvement.

Polk became a co-owner of the Round Rock venue in 2022 alongside fellow poker professionals Andrew Neeme and Brad Owen. The Lodge is one of the largest poker clubs in Texas and hosts cash games and tournaments.

The announcement follows a March law enforcement raid at the Round Rock location tied to an investigation into alleged gambling offenses. The action forced the club to close temporarily, resulted in employee layoffs and prompted the postponement of a scheduled World Poker Tour event. The Lodge reopened in late May after roughly two months of closure. No criminal charges have been announced against the business or its owners in connection with the investigation.

In his post, Polk thanked the club’s staff, members and the poker community, saying the friendships and community around The Lodge mean a great deal to him. He added, “I have every confidence in the current management team, employees, and ownership… I expect The Lodge will continue to thrive.”

Polk will keep his ownership interest while handing operational duties to the existing management team. The club continues to operate under its current leadership as Polk transitions out of an active role.