When it comes to sports and mind games, few activities are as unique as poker. Around the poker table, everyone starts on equal footing, regardless of age, gender, background, or any disability. We’re thrilled that Banco in Bratislava has become a torchbearer for inclusivity in poker, once again serving as the home of the popular Deaf Poker Open this past weekend. The tournament, created especially for deaf players, once again attracted participants from across Europe, and we sat down with Ladislav Hlavatý, founder of Deaf Poker Slovakia, to discuss the community and its future.
How did the idea for Deaf Poker come about? What inspired you to start it?
Poker has been played among the deaf community for years, even in Bratislava, a dedicated group of poker enthusiasts was intrigued by the game. The beginnings weren’t easy. There was skepticism and a lack of understanding; the question we always faced was: How can deaf players compete at the table? Eventually, we started organizing local tournaments within Slovakia. When we set our sights on hosting an international event for deaf players, we encountered real hurdles. That pushed us to establish the Deaf Poker Club Bratislava in 2018 as a civic association opening the door for us to join the international world of deaf poker. That was the turning point for us.
What is the main goal of your association, and what are your future plans?
Right from the start, our mission was to gain acceptance into the WDPT and EDPT federations. Today, we’re official members. Our goal is to keep representing year after year at the biggest international deaf poker events.
What kind of challenges have you faced organizing poker events for deaf players?
From our very first event, we were constantly learning and tweaking the organization. These days, we have more experience. Year after year, the number of entrants grows, and for us, that’s both a challenge and a sign that we’re on the right track.
How does communication work at the tables between players and dealers when you have deaf participants?
At this point, every dealer in Slovakia knows that deaf players are regulars in the poker scene. Some dealers have really connected with our community and learned to communicate with us, some more smoothly than others.
Are you satisfied with the turnout at this year's Deaf Poker Open in Bratislava?
Every year, we’re seeing more and more players signing up. Unfortunately, the conflict between Israel and Iran meant that 16 players couldn’t make it this time. We’re committed to making sure next year’s event is even bigger.
For this 7th edition of the DPO, how many players took part and from which countries?
This year’s tournament attracted 111 players from 20 countries across Europe. Ukraine had the biggest contingent, and it was a Ukrainian who took home the Main Event trophy in the end.
How would you describe the deaf poker community here in Slovakia compared to the rest of the world?
As the saying goes, different countries, different customs! Here in Slovakia, we’re still building momentum. Our club welcomes players from all over the country, and for now, we’re the only dedicated deaf poker club in Slovakia. We'd love to see more clubs get started. Out west, you’ll find a club in almost every city, for example, Berlin has six dedicated deaf poker clubs. That’s the difference.
How does the mainstream poker community react to your activities?
Most players treat us as equals at the table. That said, there are always a few who don’t accept what we’re doing. I’ll give you an example: once, I signed up for a tournament, and a player at my table said he wouldn’t play with deaf players, he got up and left on the spot.
What are the upcoming stops for the Deaf Poker Open?
Soon, members of our group will play at an event in Valencia at the end of August, and another group is heading to Podgorica. Then, in November, we’re gearing up for a mega event in Barcelona, last year it drew 505 players from around the globe, and this year's numbers look set to grow. We’re really looking forward to it.
Do you have any advice for deaf players considering a step into the poker world?
Poker isn’t just about the cards, it’s a chance to explore new cultures and travel the world. In my opinion, it’s the greatest game there is!
After our chat with Ladislav Hlavatý, we grabbed a few words with casino manager Ján Packa to get some practical insight, what goes into preparing for an event like this, what staff need to know in advance, and his perspective on this unique collaboration.
Can you tell us how and when the partnership with Deaf Poker began?
Banco Casino started working with the Deaf Poker Club Bratislava back in 2019. Since then, the deaf community has returned to our tables several times each year to play poker.
Was it a challenge to adapt the tournament technically and staff-wise for deaf players?
Absolutely. Our talented dealers received a quick crash course from members of the deaf community, who taught them some poker basics in sign language—and that was all it took for the action to begin. In practice, it’s barely different from "regular" poker; if you don’t have chips in front of you, you know your tournament’s over :)
Do you view this kind of tournament as an important step toward greater diversity in the poker world?
This is what makes poker amazing, there are hardly any limits, other than the age minimum of 18. That’s why I see poker as a unique sport without real obstacles or barriers. Anyone can play, from home game hobbyists to full-time professionals who make their living at the tables. Poker might be the only sport where a recreational player can sit down alongside a seasoned pro and even knock them out. That’s the magic of poker, and it’s why people love it!
Finally, what can players in Banco look forward to in the near future?
This summer is packed with poker action, and we’ve got some exciting events coming up soon. At the end of July, it’s time for Norwegian Week, followed in early August by the Poker-SM Live series. Both of these classics will draw a huge Scandinavian crowd to Bratislava, so expect plenty of buzz at the cash game tables. But the real highlight of the summer will be the Polish Poker Cup, where once again, players will compete for at least a 250.000€ guaranteed prize pool for a 140€ buy-in. And we all know there will be even more up for grabs!
