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Poker Player Loses £100,000 Case Against London’s Hippodrome Casino After Cashing Out Row
- Poker player lost court case against Hippodrome Casino over 'hit and run' strategy.
- Casino's right to admit or ban players upheld due to behavior and policy concerns.
- Ruling stresses importance of player conduct and casino discretion.
A poker player who claimed he was banned from London’s Hippodrome Casino because of his disciplined cash game strategy has lost his legal case against the venue.
Dr Mortaza Sahibzada took action against the Leicester Square casino after being barred in September 2023. He sought £100,000 in damages, arguing that he had been unfairly prevented from playing poker at the property.
The case was heard at Central London County Court, where Judge Andrew Holmes dismissed the claim and found that the casino was entitled to decide who could enter and use its services.
The Dispute Over a “Hit And Run” Strategy
Sahibzada told the court that he used a short session approach at the poker tables. According to the case, he would often leave after winning around £75 rather than remaining in the game and giving opponents a chance to win the money back.
In poker terms, that style is often described as “hit and run”. It is legal, but it is also widely disliked in live cash games, especially among regular players who expect longer sessions and more table action.
Sahibzada said the approach was part of a careful strategy. He claimed it helped him earn more than £2,000 a month and described himself in court as someone who had become skilled at playing short hours with modest targets.
Casino Cited Staff Interactions and Gambling Concerns
The Hippodrome Casino disputed the idea that the ban was simply about cashing out too quickly.
The casino’s barrister, Harry Stratton, told the court that Sahibzada’s membership had been suspended after several unpleasant interactions with staff, as well as concerns around problem gambling.
The court also heard that Sahibzada had raised claims including breach of contract and race discrimination. Judge Holmes said the claim had not disclosed clear grounds and dismissed it.
Judge Says Casino Can Choose Who It Admits
Judge Holmes ruled that there was no obvious breach of contract and said the Hippodrome had the right to decide who could come onto its premises and use its services.
After the case was dismissed, Sahibzada was ordered to pay the casino’s legal costs, estimated at just over £11,000.
Why The Case Matters for Poker
The ruling will be of interest to live poker players because it touches on a long running social tension in cash games.
A player is free to leave a poker table when they choose. At the same time, casinos and poker rooms are private venues, and regular cash games often come with unwritten expectations around etiquette, table atmosphere and how much action a player gives.
The case does not make “hit and run” poker illegal. It does, however, underline that a casino can remove a player if it believes there are wider issues around behaviour, staff interaction or venue policy.
For poker players, the practical lesson is simple. Winning and leaving is one thing. Becoming a problem for the room is another.
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