The Grassroots Games Behind a Rising Poker Community in the North of England

_{Sophie Cook hopes her Sheffield Poker Nights initiative will build a local poker culture around community, not cash prizes. (Image: Sophie Cook)}

Sophie Cook discovered poker during a post-school summer in Ibiza. But it wasn’t until years later, after a move to Shanghai and a return to her home city of Sheffield, that the game became something bigger than a hobby.

After struggling to find a local poker night that felt welcoming, Cook took matters into her own hands.

“I was trying to find a group that I could play with regularly in quite a social way,” she told Casinos.com. 

“Poker is a big hobby of mine and I really enjoy playing as it is also a nice way to meet some like-minded people.”

Her project, Sheffield Poker Nights, has since evolved into a monthly gathering that blends low-stakes Texas hold ’em with card-table camaraderie.

Building a Poker Scene from Scratch

The City of Sheffield is known for steel, sport and music; it isn’t exactly a poker hub and Cook had few options open to her there. Larger northern cities like Manchester, Leeds and Nottingham are home to thriving scenes, 

That changed in April 2024 when she returned to Sheffield after 12 years in China. In Shanghai, she’d sharpened her skills through weekly games with friends and housemates. She also started hosting small events of her own.

“When I was hosting poker events with friends in Shanghai, I would be teaching people how to play,” she said. 

“Every single one of my close group of female friends in Shanghai now plays poker because I taught them.”

Cook’s new initiative in Sheffield takes that same inclusive approach.

Playing for Connection, Not Just Cash

Sheffield Poker Nights hosts casual cash games at a local pub with a £10 buy-in. The aim isn’t profit, it’s people.

“These £10 games are deliberately social and friendly and feature a range of abilities,” Cook explained. 

“For the first couple of events, we even taught a couple of ladies who normally play bridge but were eager to turn their card-playing talents to poker.”

Cook says beginners are welcomed with open arms and often learn the ropes from more experienced regulars. That casual vibe is intentional.

The group includes a diverse mix of players, everyone from students and local professionals to a former croupier. Each has found something valuable in the relaxed atmosphere.

“As far as I know, there isn’t that much of a poker scene in Sheffield,” Cook said. “The local Genting Casino hosts nightly £100 buy-in cash games, but this isn’t the best place to go to learn poker.”

Growing Demand for a Local Poker Hub

The popularity of Sheffield Poker Nights has led Cook to consider expanding.

“We arrange events using the Meetup app, and I am continually getting nudged to organise more games,” she said. 

“There are about 50 players in our whole group, including a few who seem to turn up to every event.”

She’s now eyeing more frequent meetups and possibly higher-stakes games, but her focus remains on keeping things accessible.

“I would encourage prospective people not to be nervous and to come and give it a go,” she said. “We always like to have new players.”

Cook’s grassroots initiative is still small, but for a city long overlooked by the UK poker scene, it’s a notable deal and it's attracting attention.