Tatiana Fox
An Australian poker player’s London stopover leads to great poker, delicious Chinese food, a 3am finish and a reminder that women are making their mark in the poker industry.
On my way from Australia to the Malta Poker Festival, I decided to break up the journey with a sneaky stopover in London. My mission? To play poker in the famous PokerStars poker room at the Hippodrome Casino.
And what a stopover it turned out to be!
A Casino That Means Business
Walking up to the Hippodrome’s impressive frontage, I quickly realised this place takes up a serious chunk of real estate in the heart of London’s Leicester Square.
It was a Friday night, and I was accompanied by a local poker player. First order of business: get our names on the list.
My immediate impression? Wow. This place is HUGE!
I’ve seen some impressive casinos in my time, but the Hippodrome is something else. Multiple levels, elevators, indoor and outdoor bars — it just keeps going. In Europe, where real estate is expensive and space is limited, a venue of this size is seriously impressive. It felt every bit as grand as a Vegas casino.
Next up was registration, and the staff scored an immediate tick of approval. Everyone I encountered was friendly, helpful and happy to point me in the right direction. From navigating the property to recommending restaurants, they made the whole process easy.
I even received some free play. Winning already!
The Poker Room: Good Vibes and Great Manners
The wait to get seated in the PokerStars poker room wasn’t long, and as soon as I walked in, I loved the vibe.
As a female poker player, walking into a room full of men — particularly in a foreign country — can sometimes feel intimidating. But the welcome here was immediate. Friendly hellos, a few waves and an offer of a beverage before I’d even found my table.
That’s how you make someone feel welcome.
The room has approximately 17 tables, including a feature live-stream table. On this particular Friday night, a £10/£25 no-limit hold’em game was getting underway for the room’s regular Friday live stream.
I settled in at my table, and the gentlemen playing were an absolute delight. I don’t use the word gentlemen lightly in a casino environment, but credit where credit is due — these guys were genuinely lovely.
The poker was fun, the atmosphere was welcoming, and I found myself moving between tables and stakes as the night progressed.
But behind this well-run poker operation is someone who deserves a spotlight of her own.
Meet Kerryjane Craigie: The Woman Behind the Action
So, who’s running this impressive poker room, where the staff are competent, the players are welcoming and the atmosphere is on point?
Surprisingly to some, it’s a woman: Kerryjane Craigie, better known as KJ.
KJ is the Director of Poker at the Hippodrome Casino, a PokerStars ambassador and the creator of the Live Poker at the Hippodrome livestream.
She has been with the Hippodrome since 2012, initially joining as poker room manager on what was supposed to be a temporary three-month contract. Clearly, things worked out rather well! She progressed to become Director of Poker, overseeing the poker operation and helping shape the experience players enjoy today.
Before joining the Hippodrome, KJ built experience across tourism, marketing and the casino industry, working with famous brands including Disney, the Playboy Club and Caesars.
And she’s no stranger to the felt herself.
KJ is an accomplished poker player who final-tabled a World Series of Poker bracelet event in 2016, finishing runner-up for an impressive US$46,420.
She also produces and hosts The Real Poker Girls of London, a podcast filmed at the Hippodrome’s own studio and is the President of the Women’s Poker Association International branch.
From managing a major poker room to competing at the highest levels and creating poker content, KJ is a fantastic example of the different ways women can make their mark in this industry.
Women in poker aren’t just sitting at the tables. They’re building the rooms, creating the content, running the operations and helping shape the game.
And after experiencing the Hippodrome firsthand, I can certainly appreciate the work that goes into creating a poker room where players feel welcome and want to return.
Chop Chop: The Food Is Worth the Visit
As the night rolled on, I started noticing delicious-looking food being delivered to tables everywhere. Fries, noodles and all sorts of tempting dishes were making their way around the poker room.
Naturally, I had questions.
After chatting with the locals, I was pointed towards the award winning Chop Chop, a popular Chinese restaurant inside the casino. The place was absolutely packed, which is always a promising sign.
Thankfully, my friend and I managed to get a table for two and were seated quickly.
I ordered the seafood fried rice, the famous roast duck and a few other sides. Everything was delicious, and the cocktails were impressive too. Even better, the prices were reasonable.
It was a great way to take a break from the tables, refuel and enjoy a proper meal without leaving the casino.
One More Orbit… And Suddenly It’s 3am
After dinner, we wandered around the main gaming floor before heading back into the action.
I moved between poker tables and stakes, enjoying the atmosphere and the company. The early night I’d originally planned slowly disappeared.
Before I knew it, it was 3am!
So much for a quick London stopover.
The Verdict: Put the Hippodrome on Your Poker Travel List
The Hippodrome delivered on just about every level. It was impressive, well-run, easy to find and comparable in scale to a Vegas mega-resort.
The staff were helpful, the poker room had a great atmosphere, the food was excellent, and I felt welcome from the moment I walked through the door.
And a special shout-out to the gentlemen at my tables. My poker experience was absolutely hilarious, and they were genuinely a pleasure to play with.
Of course, I did lose with pocket aces. But honestly? I’m not even mad about it!
For me, the experience was about more than the cards. It was about finding a welcoming poker community in a foreign city and seeing firsthand what a well-managed poker room can offer.
It was also a reminder that women like Kerryjane Craigie are playing an important role in the industry, both on and off the felt.
If you’re heading to London and love poker, make time for the PokerStars poker room at the Hippodrome Casino. Play a few hands, grab a bite at Chop Chop and soak up the atmosphere.
I wasn’t paid to say any of this — it’s simply my honest experience.
And yes, I’ll absolutely be making time to play at the Hippodrome on future trips to London.
Now, if only those pocket aces had held up…
