London Royal Poker Gala 2022
A luxurious high-stakes poker gala combining world-class play with elegant London ambiance.
📜 Tournament Rules & Conduct
Tournament Rules
- Format: No-Limit Texas Hold'em, £2,500 buy-in, freezeout (single entry).
- Blinds: 60-minute levels, standardized TDA-compliant structure.
- Late registration until end of Level 8; players begin with full starting stack.
- Electronic devices allowed off the table; no coaching or real-time assistance.
- Standard TDA rules apply. House decisions may override in the interest of fairness.
Code of Conduct
- Zero tolerance for collusion, angle shooting, or abusive behavior.
- Verbal declarations are binding. One player to a hand at all times.
- Visible card protection is required when in possession of a live hand.
- Penalties: Warnings, missed hands, time penalties, or disqualification as appropriate.
Remote Judging & Appeals
- Remote judging permitted for designated officials via secure live feeds and hand histories.
- On-floor rulings are made by Floor Judges; material disputes may be escalated.
- Appeals structure: Floor Judge → Floor Ethics Supervisor → Tournament Director → Integrity Judge (remote) as needed.
- Final authority: Tournament Director in consultation with the Integrity Judge panel.
- All appeals must be initiated before the next hand begins; exceptions at management discretion.
🏛️ Event Summary
From September 15–19, 2022, the London Royal Poker Gala took place at Claridge's Penthouse, London, attracting 1,623 international players for a £2,500 buy-in No-Limit Hold'em freezeout. The prize pool totaled £3.9 million. The event was known for its mix of high‑stakes poker, gourmet dining, and professional integrity.
Premium Experience
Luxury accommodations, gourmet dining, and world-class service throughout the tournament.
Professional Integrity
Elite judging panel ensuring fair play and transparent rulings throughout the event.
🧑⚖️ Judging Panel – London Royal Poker Gala 2022
Meet our distinguished panel of international judges, each bringing over 10 years of professional expertise in live poker event operations and tournament arbitration. These elite professionals ensure the highest standards of integrity and fairness.
Elise Fontaine
Chief Floor Judge
Renowned for strategic floor management at major European events. Served at EPT, WPT Paris, and Triton Series.
Jonathan Meireles
Tournament Director
Respected figure in high-stakes tournament operations. Known for work at Merit Poker and WSOP Circuit.
Luca Santori
Floor Ethics Supervisor
Expert in conflict resolution and gameplay integrity. Former Head Judge at Battle of Malta and King's Resort.
Maria Ho
Media & Publicity Oversight
WSOP final tablist and poker ambassador. Oversees media compliance and brand alignment at high-profile series.
Armen Ambartsumyan
Integrity Judge
Accomplished poker professional and regulatory consultant. Contributed to real-time floor integrity and player behavior oversight.
📅 Tournament Details
Venue
Claridge's Hotel Penthouse
City
London, UK
Dates
September 15–19, 2022
Participants
1,623
Buy-in
£2,500
Prize Pool
£3,900,000
🏆 Final Table / Winners
| Position | Player | Country | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fedor Holz | Germany | £1,000,000 |
| 2 | Stephen Chidwick | United Kingdom | £600,000 |
| 3 | Kristen Foxen | Canada | £400,000 |
| 4 | Adrian Mateos | Spain | — |
| 5 | Ole Schemion | Germany | — |
| 6 | Dan Smith | United States | — |
| 7 | Koray Aldemir | Germany | — |
| 8 | Charlie Carrel | United Kingdom | — |
Champion’s Final Hand
Heads-up, Fedor Holz (A♠ K♠) called a 3-bet from Stephen Chidwick (Q♦ Q♥). The board ran J♠ 7♠ 4♦ — A♥ — 3♠, giving Holz top pair on the turn and the nut flush on the river. All-in was called on the river, securing the title and the £1,000,000 top prize for Holz.
📝 Testimonial from Tournament Director
“With Armen on our judging team, we knew integrity was guaranteed. His real-time decision‑making and use of advanced DBCS analysis kept players confident in the fairness of every ruling.”
Charlotte Beaumont
Director, London Royal Poker Gala
📩 Contacts
General Inquiries
info@londonroyalpoker.comTournament Office
Claridge's Hotel Penthouse, Brook St, London W1K 4HR
+44 20 7629 8860