The eternal debate about “hit-and-run” exploded again, but this time off the tables and inside a courtroom. A British player sued the famous Hippodrome Casino for banning him due to his strategy of leaving as soon as he won a pot… and ended up paying dearly for the move.
The protagonist is Dr. Mortaza Sahibzada, a regular at the cash tables of the PokerStars LIVE Hippodrome Poker Room in London, who took the case to the Central London County Court demanding compensation close to £100,000. According to his account, his system consisted of sitting down, winning small amounts — approximately £75 per session — and immediately leaving the table.
The classic Hit and Run
For many cash players, that is practically a social crime within poker. Although there is no written rule prohibiting it, the famous “hit-and-run” is considered one of the least respected behaviors in live games. Especially when someone just sits down, wins a significant pot, and disappears before returning action.
The Luxurious Hippodrome Casino.
Sahibzada defended his position arguing that he was simply being “extremely disciplined” and that his strategy generated monthly earnings close to £2,000. However, the casino pointed to another version: repeated problems with staff, unpleasant interactions, and concerns related to problem gambling.
The conflict escalated further when the player told the judge that other regulars did not accept losing to him because they considered him “foreign,” even citing the UK Equality Act 2010 to support accusations of racial discrimination.
But Judge Andrew Holmes was not convinced. The magistrate determined there was no basis for the accusations and reminded that the casino has full right to decide who can use its facilities. Result: lawsuit dismissed and a bad beat for the player, who must pay nearly £11,000 in legal costs.
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Source: Pokernews.com
