Doug Polk Surprises Poker Players with Free $100 Cash in Texas

My journey in the world of poker (and later online gambling) started more than 20 years ago, when I first attended a low-stakes live tournament. I’ve never looked back since, and have been active in several fields, including being a poker player, a live tournament director, writing online and offline articles about poker, and managing the localization of one of the world's largest online poker rooms. Poker is my home ground, I could never imagine doing a job that is not a part of it. I hope someday I’ll have more time to play live; that's something I've missed in the past few years. A game where luck meets skill - what would be more interesting?

Updated: 2026.01.22

Doug Polk gives away free $100 cash to players in The Lodge Club — Doug Polk Surprises Poker Players with Free $100 Cash in The Lodge Club

Imagine sitting down for a standard game of cards, only to have a poker legend walk in and hand you free money. That is exactly what happened this past Wednesday at The Lodge Card Club in Round Rock, Texas.

A Surprise from Doug Polk to Players

Doug Polk , the famous high-stakes pro and co-owner of the room, decided to show his customers some serious appreciation. In a move that delighted everyone in the building, Polk sent staff members onto the floor to distribute $100 in red chips to every single player seated at a table in early January 2026.

POV: You give 100 poker players $100 pic.twitter.com/5Y4KV6Q2Ye

— Lodge Card Club Austin (@LodgePokerATX) January 7, 2026

However, making players happy and committed to a poker room is among the main goals of an operator; we can’t help but think this act of gratitude has something to do with the card markers scandal revealed at The Lodge recently. Handing out free chips to players after an incident is common in online poker as well. At the best poker sites , players receive refunds to their accounts when a rule violation is uncovered as compensation.

A Surprise for the “Heart and Soul” of Austin Poker

Approximately 75 players were grinding at the tables when the surprise occurred. Whether they were playing cash games or small-stakes tournaments , everyone got a piece of the action. Polk took a moment to address the room, thanking them for their loyalty.

“Everyone gets a free hundred,” Polk announced to the cheering crowd. “Thank you guys for coming out. You are the heart and soul of the players here in Austin.”

It wasn’t just a one-time stunt, either. This generous giveaway highlights the friendly and exciting atmosphere that Texas poker has become famous for.

Huge January Giveaways

If you missed the random $100 drop, don’t worry. The Lodge Card Club is running massive promotions throughout January. The room is hosting a $15,000 weekly giveaway.

Here is how the “free money” schedule breaks down for the rest of the month:

Thursdays, Fridays, & Saturdays: Seven lucky players will win a share of $5,000 each day.
Top Prize: Three players will walk away with $1,000 cash prizes daily.

This aggressive promotion strategy comes as The Lodge competes with other local rooms like TCH Social, ensuring that players in Round Rock have plenty of incentives to choose The Lodge.

Fresh Look, Fresh Action

The giveaways aren’t the only new thing at the club. The Lodge recently finished a massive renovation project. The room now boasts fresh paint, new carpeting, and massive TV screens to watch sports while you play.

Quick Highlights at The Lodge:

Renovated Room: Enjoy a fresh look with over 80 tables and a full restaurant.
Major Tours: The club recently hosted the WPT Prime Championship and will welcome the RunGood Poker Series later this month.
Star Ownership: Co-owned by Doug Polk, Brad Owen, and Andrew Neeme, the room is a hub for poker content and action.

With Doug Polk at the helm, The Lodge continues to prove why it is a premier destination for live Texas poker. Whether it’s random cash drops or huge tournament series, players never know what excitement awaits them next.