London Casino Ban: Poker Pro Loses £100k Lawsuit

Have you ever wondered what happens when a player takes things too far at the poker table? Recently, a low-stakes poker player from England found out the hard way. He tried to sue a venue over a permanent restriction, but the legal case backfired completely.

The Story Behind the London Casino Ban

Dr. Mortaza Sahibzada, a former engineering researcher and self-described “expert in safe gambling,” faced a permanent London casino ban. He claimed he was making around £2,000 a month playing regular cash games at the Hippodrome Casino. However, his choice of table tactics ruffled quite a few feathers among both players and staff.

In September 2023, the Hippodrome Casino officially barred him from entering its card room for cashing out too fast. Instead of walking away and playing somewhere else, Sahibzada decided to take legal action. He launched a £100,000 lawsuit in the Central London County Court, demanding massive compensation for his lost earnings.

What Is a Hit-and-Run Poker Strategy?

To understand why this London casino ban happened, we need to look at his specific playing style. Sahibzada proudly used what is widely known as a hit-and-run poker strategy. His main goal was incredibly simple: sit down at a cash game, win a small profit of about £75, and leave the table immediately.

While there are no written rules against it, a hit-and-run poker strategy is highly controversial in the gambling world. Fellow players strongly dislike it when someone wins a quick pot and immediately leaves the game before anyone can win back their chips. It goes entirely against the unwritten rules of basic poker etiquette, ruining the game’s natural flow and friendly atmosphere.

The Court’s Decision: A Costly Defeat

During the trial, Sahibzada argued that his actions were completely fair and that he was just being highly disciplined. He accused the casino management of secretly siding with other players who heavily disapproved of his playing style.

He even went as far as claiming racial discrimination under the 2010 Equality Act. He told the judge that the players didn’t like “foreigners winning,” even though he noted he isn’t actually a foreigner.

Judge Andrew Holmes was not convinced by these wild claims. A casino employee informed the court that the player actually had a history of unpleasant interactions with the staff. There were also documented concerns about his gambling habits, ultimately leading the judge to throw out the discrimination claims entirely.

Judge Holmes firmly ruled that any private business, including the Hippodrome Casino, has the legal right to decide who uses its services. As a result of this London casino ban lawsuit, Sahibzada didn’t get his £100,000 payout. Instead, the judge ordered the poker pro to pay a staggering £11,000 in legal fees to the venue.

Key Takeaways on Poker Etiquette and Rules

This unusual court case is a perfect example of why respecting poker etiquette truly matters. Even if a venue doesn’t have a strict written rule against a specific playing tactic, poor behavior can still get you kicked out. Casinos value a friendly, safe environment for all their guests.

Here is a quick summary of the most important facts from this dramatic case:

Understanding poker etiquette keeps the game fun and fair for everyone at the table. If you sit down at a cash game, try to stay for a reasonable amount of time. Walking away the second you win might seem like a smart financial move, but it could easily lead to your very own London casino ban (in fact, any casino) if you consistently disrespect the staff and other players.

While in live poker games this behavior usually doesn’t go unnoticed, due to the pace and other characteristics, it does not draw much attention in online poker games. If you want to have some online fun, register on one of the poker sites we recommend, and make sure you use the bonus code SMPBONUS to get the most out of your perks and benefits.