Profile
Club” was the winner. T_he Buffalo Club was born.
indulgent way for successful individuals to play
“So, when Lawrie and I had a conversation T_he next job was to make the club as refined and
in one of the richest poker tournaments in the
about a name for the new poker business, it just exclusive as possible. To make this happen, Pete
UK, without having to worry about negative
felt right to keep it. A tribute to its beginnings I and Lawrie only work with the very finest
publicity, paparazzi intrusion and privacy issues.”
suppose.” casinos. He says, “T_he Buffalo Club experience is
T_he club’s members come from different
As a child, the gambling industry isn’t one Pete far more Casino Royale than ‘casino in the
backgrounds, although says Pete, all high-flyers
thought he would end up in. In fact, far from it, desert’.
in their field.
he always hated card games. He says, “T_he
“Our members come from many walks of life;
family card game at Christmas always sent me
“Our members come from
city professionals, entrepreneurs, property
running back to the toys I was already bored of.
tycoons, sports personalities, people from the
“I became interested in poker during my
many walks of life; city worlds of TV and music, however they all have
mid-20s and decided to learn how to play. From
one thing in common; success.”
professionals, entrepreneurs,
that moment to this, I’ve been hooked. It’s the
T_he club will soon launch a series of master-
strategy and subtle skills that make it such a
property tycoons, sports
classes, with nine different sessions spread across
compelling game. How many other games can
three differing skill levels; beginner, intermediate
you win with the worst hand.”
personalities, people from the
and advanced.
T_he success of the club has been phenomenal,
Amateurs will be given the chance to learn from
something Pete had envisaged from the start worlds of TV and music,
the best pro-poker players in the world, with
because of the current poker game’s develop-
eight places available to each class. T_he tuition
ment into the e-commerce market.
however they all have one
will be focussed and intimate, ensuring that each
“T_here are 1000s of online poker sites catering
attendee gains maximum attention during each
for those who wish to stay at home and play and
thing in common, success.” three hour class.
then there is the selection of high-profile live
“We wanted to apply the same logic to poker
tournaments that attract the world’s best poker “All of the Buffalo players enjoy hospitality and
that you would to, say, football for instance.
professionals that can often be found on late fare of the very highest standard throughout the
Football players improve with tuition, coaching
night TV,” he adds, “What if you want the course of the evening.”
and mentoring. We believe poker improvement
flamboyance and high-stakes of Las Vegas in a It was important for Pete and Lawrie not to
should be the same,” Pete continues, “We will be
live environment without the risk of having to allow T_he Buffalo Club to be infiltrated by late
working with a small number of handpicked
play against the world’s most astute poker pros? night TV shows. Quite the opposite, Pete says,
pros, including the 2008 European number one
Well there was nothing available, amateurs “T_he Buffalo Club will go out of its way to
Marc Goodwin and World Open Finalist, and
either play in down-market venues for protect the privacy and anonymity of our
big cash game winner, Ryan Fronda.
low-medium stakes or online.” players.
“Marc and Ryan complement each other well by
Believing there was a gap in the market for “Players wishing to take part in VIP events such
covering all types of player style and strategy
those that wanted a little more from their poker as ours do not necessarily want to be splashed
between them. Equally as important, they are
experience, a little glamour and VIP treatment, across the TV. We provide a private, fun and
both good communicators and are great fun.
Attending any or all of the masterclasses will be
an enjoyable and fantastic learning experience.
What better way to improve your game.”
Running your own business isn’t just a full-time
job. It is a live, breathe, sleep and eat occupation.
Work plays a major part of Pete’s life, he says,
“Outside of the business my time disappears on
pretending to get fit, walking my dogs and
spending time with my family.
Although I do still make time for the home
poker game with friends of course.
After that? Well, it’s time to get to work again.”
Later this year, T_he Buffalo Club will be
launching an annual Diamond event, which will
likely be a weekend poker tournament, with a
larger than normal prize fund, held at an exotic
location somewhere around the world.
After T_he Buffalo Club’s 2009 dates are up in
London, it is likely to visit northern locations,
entertaining the affluent crowds in Liverpool
and Manchester. Until then, poker enthusiasts
will have to make the trip to the Big Smoke.
For further information or to register, visit,
www.thebuffaloclub.co.uk.
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