Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa with a GDP of $410 billion, has a lot to offer when it comes to the world of poker. Despite its economic power, the gambling industry in Nigeria is still developing and only a handful of casinos can be found in the whole country. Most of these casinos are located in Lagos, while a few others are in Abuja. However, none of these gaming houses are large compared to European and American standards.

The most popular game of chance in Nigeria is not poker or casino games, but sports betting, especially betting on football games. The Nigerian national team has been a regular feature in the World Cup, and many Nigerian football stars play in Europe's top teams. It's no surprise that football, and betting on football, is such a common pastime activity in the country.

A Brief History of Gambling in Nigeria

According to a research paper published in BJPsych International scientific journal in 2020, gambling was historically regarded as destructive and thus was discouraged in Nigeria for a long time. However, the government legalized certain forms of gambling in the 1990s to generate tax revenue. The same study found that over one-third (36%) of Nigerians admit to have gambled, with 19% describing themselves as "daily gamblers".

Famous Nigerian Poker Players

According to Hendon, there are only four players listed on their Nigerian all-time money list. Currently, the top player is Dany Chidiac with $82,132 in live tournament earnings. He accumulated this sum by cashing in just two poker tournaments, both at the Barcelona stop of the European Poker Tour.

Another notable player is "Fosterek", who has cashed for $134,141 in online MTT's on PokerStars, 888, and partypoker.

Lagos Poker Club

The Lagos Poker Club offers daily cash games with a range of stakes available. The club has two main game types: No Limit Texas Hold'em (NLH) and Pot Limit Omaha (PLO). The minimum buy-in for NLH is $50, while the minimum buy-in for PLO is $200.

Game Rules

The Lagos Poker Club has several house rules that players must follow:

• Players may not pass chips in play to each other
• Players ARE allowed to show cards during play when HEADS-UP ONLY.
• Players must be seen by the dealer at the start of a deal to receive cards.
• No player may play another player's chips.
• No rabbit hunting (exposing the turn and river when the hand is over).
• During a hand, the only language that may be spoken is ENGLISH.
• One player per hand.
• Players in the blinds, if folded to them, are allowed to chop and take back their blind to start the next hand right away.

Texas Hold'em Poker in Nigerian Casinos

While poker rooms can be found in some of Nigeria's casinos, they are not as prevalent as other casino games like blackjack and slot machines. However, the game is still popular among locals and visitors alike.