Don't I need a gaming licence?

No, all games are free to play although you are permitted to run a raffle on the night to subsidise the costs incurred in running the league, otherwise there is no charge to the players. Your poker night is simply entertainment, arranged by the pub, so NO FORM OF LICENCE is required. During the league game players are playing purely for league points. It is a strictly no-money poker tournament. After the league game has been completed you may wish to give the players the option of playing a non- league game in which a maximum of £5 per player may be staked. This is due to new legislation brought in by the government in September 2007. For full details please contact us.

Are you sure? I've read on the Internet and in the trade press that poker tournaments in pubs are not allowed.

This is only true of those tournaments arranged by poker leagues that either charge players to take part, or charge different amounts depending upon the number of players. Some poker leagues charge for putting "agents" into the pub to run the poker night and suggest a door charge or similar. We are confident that you will quickly discover that paying for an agent to run the tournament is an unnecessary expense. We can provide people to supervise your first few tournaments while you get things up and running, but the additional cost of this must not be passed on to the players. While your poker is free-to-play and no charge is made to the players for taking part, there is no need for any form of licence.

How much does it cost?

At the start of each month that your pub remains in the Pubzone Poker League, you will be invoiced £79.95+VAT at the start of each monthly period.

What equipment do I need?

Unlike some other poker league providers who do not provide any of the equipment needed to run a tournament we give you everything that you could possibly need. This includes poker table tops, poker chips and casino grade playing cards.

You will be provided with the following equipment upon signing up for the league:

•  2 x Casino Grade Poker Table Tops

•  1 x 500 Piece Numbered Chip Set

•  5 x Packs Playing Cards (100% Plastic)

The equipment provided is enough to accommodate a maximum of 20 players. Additional tables, chips and cards may be purchased at an additional cost.

You will also be provided with all of the information and training needed to help you to run your own poker tournaments. In addition Pubzone poker league will also help you to advertise your poker nights both online and by providing you with flyers and posters to create awareness.

What night of the week do I run my poker nights on?

The whole poker tournament has been set up to benefit you and your pub. The monthly price that you pay is for an unlimited number of poker nights per week. You can run a poker night (or afternoon if you like!) whenever you want. An ideal night would be when it is currently quiet - to bring in extra trade through the week, for example - but you can put YOUR poker night on when it suits you!

How long am I tied up for?

Our poker "seasons" run for three months. However, you are invoiced monthly and are free to quit the poker leagues at any time, by providing one months notice in writing. Your initial commitment is until the end of the season in which you join.

My poker night is a success! How do I continue?

After your trial night is complete, you can continue become a host of our weekly league events by simply letting us know that you would like to join the league. We will invoice you at the start of each monthly period that you remain a part of the poker league.

I tried it for a couple of months but I don't think it's for me.
What now?

Simply notify us in a letter that you no longer wish to be part of the league and return any equipment back to us in complete and good order. There will be no further obligation.

Why so cheap? Am I getting a second-rate service? Certainly not!

We do not believe that your pub will benefit by putting on a poker night, then spending the extra bar income on covering the cost of hosting the night!

We don't think that paying an agent to set up a few tables and chips at the start of the night, then put everything away again a few hours later is a necessary expense.

YOU keep the equipment in your pub for the duration of your league membership, YOU (or one of your staff/regulars) can run the poker night very easily and YOU benefit from the increased takings.

Our website is supported by developers pioneering in their field of expertise. Publishing your results on the website is incredibly simple. We organise everything else - organising the leagues, providing end-of-season tournaments, offering the prizes, sorting out who plays in the Finals and so on.

We also offer a full back-up service for you, to assist with any part of running your poker nights, from putting your first results onto the 'net, to helping design posters to attract the crowds! Our support is available by telephone, e-mail and post.

If, at the start, you want the peace of mind of having someone in your pub running the poker nights for you, we can provide you with an experienced tournament supervisor who will set up and run the tournament on your behalf whilst talking you though how easy it is to run the tournament yourself.

The cost of this trial night is just £35 +VAT for the night, and if you decide to sign up for the league on the night then the cost of your trial night is deducted from your first month’s league membership fee. In other words, the trial is free if you sign up on the night!