Are you sure about the instant entry, guys?
Since when did this rule change?

Thanks again for all the replies!

October 2005:

http://www.britishcasinoassociation....o_listings.asp

Note the statement in bold and the paragraph under it. FWIW I didn't realise the rule had changed as long ago as that, I thought it had changed more recently!

Edit: PS don't forget to take your passport.

Just to be clear, the instant entry rules are for proper casinos, and it's definitely true that for those you can now walk right in and play (with ID).

However, a lot of the places mentioned in this thread (basically everywhere apart from the Vic) are not casinos but card clubs, which are operating in grey areas of the law at the moment (apart from one in nottingham that is properly licensed).

As part of their attempts to stay in the grey areas they seem to have recently started implementing tougher rules on how you join. A few friends of mine went to the gutshot last week and they were both told they needed two exisiting members to propose them before they could play. I myself went to a club a few weeks ago and could only join by getting proposed by a member and could only play that day when an existing member signed me in. If I were you I'd either go to the Vic or contact individual rooms directly to find out what the joining procedure is so you don't end up going somewhere you can't play.

Another option for you would be The Full House in Reigate (south of london), which is not far from Gatwick and which you could prob get a taxi to. It's a decent club, but I haven't been there in over a year so I don't know the current joining procedures or what games you could expect on a particular night. Note although I said the card clubs are operating in grey areas, there's no risk to individual players playing there just those running them.

This is probably your best bet. 20 mins by taxi. I think there is a direct train too.

You could also try Big Slick - 15 - 30 mins by car and only about 10 mins by train. I hav just added information on this club here http://www.londonpokerdirectory.com/...yers-Club.html

With the new membership rules at the card clubs - With most places you can pre register so you can skip the 48hr rule as such - My advice is to call them up and explain you are coming over from abroard and you should be fine - Also post here as I am sure there are at least two gutshot members that could vouch for you - I am certainly one of them.

I have also started playing at The Empire (venue for WSOPE) recently which has limited poker (Tues, Sat and Sun) but has lots of fish plus you can join there and then rather than wait 48hrs as it is a casino. I wouldn't go there for cash as there isn't many players for that (choose the vic for this) but more for the tournaments where you stand a good chance of winning

If you have specific questions or need help just message me.

www.thebigslick.co.uk

www.thefullhouse.co.uk - very close to gatwick airport.