Why Poker?

Dinner followed by a friendly, low-stakes poker game—Joining the game is always optional and beginners are encouraged to join in. This is our flagship event. Yet we are so much more than that (read more about our programs for founders below.) So why poker?

Over the past 18 years, poker has proved to be the perfect networking activity. It creates an opportunity to get to know your peers while exercising an essential mental muscle for founders: probabilistic decision-making.

Read about 8 Startup Lessons from Poker from a member.

There’s just something about poker…

Learn more about poker inclusivity

We acknowledge that poker, as well as the tech and startup community, has historically been male-dominated. We believe that neither should be and we are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all members and players.

​We strongly encourage women, people of color, and individuals from all underrecognized groups to join us at our events. Your presence enriches the experience for everyone and we are dedicated to ensuring that our poker community is diverse, respectful, and inclusive.

​Read about why we believe poker is for everyone:

Why Every Startup Founder Should Play Poker

Poker is Wax on, Wax Off for Startup Founders

A Founder’s Roadmap to Poker

Amazing Sponsors Make it Possible

We need a decent picture of “Ask a Lawyer”

A picture that shows the bounty from sponsors

Variety of sponsor pictures and maybe an explanation of the above fun things we do with them.

“A lot of the members help each other. Things come up and you ask around and, for example, we had a large group of executives coming to visit us from a Japanese conglomerate and they wanted to visit our offices, but I work at home, so I couldn’t host them in my guest bedroom!
And so we just asked around and one of the sponsors, Cooley, a startup law firm, graciously offered to let us use their boardrooms overlooking the Seattle harbor and Puget Sound. And we obviously made an impression on the visiting team from Japan and we closed a major deal.
– Member Lukas-Karim Merhi