Playing poker for free close to home, in a bar or a pizzeria, with the chance to win a poker trip to Las Vegas: that is the bet made by Black Cat Events, our partner based between Drôme and Isère in France. In under two years, this group of enthusiasts has grown from an association into a company, brought together more than 780 players and already sent its first champions off to the Strip. Here is a closer look at a 100% free poker circuit that keeps live poker alive in the regions, and that Cartes Production supplies with custom tables and dealer buttons.
Who are Black Cat Events?
The story begins in January 2025. Several well-known faces of the local poker scene get together around a slightly crazy idea: offering amateur players a poker trip to Las Vegas, and sharing that dream together. A few months later, Black Cat Events becomes an official company, with a team of four founders and clearly defined roles:
- Christelle: accounting, administration and the shop
- Didier: relations with ambassadors and the owners of partner venues
- Mickey: partnerships and business development
- Guillaume: communication and social media
The first championship launches in September 2025 on a six-monthly format, followed by a free Christmas tournament in December 2025. In March 2026, the first Super Finale crowns Romain, the first winner of a Las Vegas package. Given its success, the championship switches to a quarterly format from spring 2026: Renaud wins the Spring Super Finale in June and flies out to Las Vegas with Romain in September 2026.
The concept: a 100% free poker championship in bars and restaurants
Black Cat Events runs its Texas Hold'em tournaments in partner venues: bars, restaurants and pizzerias. The principle is simple: no entry fee and no money at stake. Players sign up, play their evening and score points in their venue's rankings. The venue gets a lively night and loyal regulars; the players get a real championship with something to play for.
Four seasons per edition
Each edition is split into four quarterly championships, each ending with its own Super Finale:
| Season | Championship period | Super Finale |
|---|---|---|
| Summer | June to August | September |
| Autumn | September to November | December |
| Winter | December to February | March |
| Spring | March to May | June |
Alongside the overall rankings, each venue also keeps a "Serial Killer" leaderboard that rewards eliminations. Plenty to motivate aggressive players as much as the regulars.
The "Las Vegas" Super Finale: the goal of the season
Players who qualify through the venue championships meet at the Super Finale, which is also free. The winner takes home a Las Vegas package, while the other paid places share Texapoker tickets to be played in casino tournaments.
The trip takes place every year in the second half of September: the edition's four winners travel together to discover the Strip and its casinos.
Finals that bring people together
The numbers speak for themselves: 71 players at the Spring 2026 Super Finale (28 June), 77 players at the Summer 2026 Super Finale (6 September), won by Matheous, plus 32 players in the Side event held the same day. Black Cat Events also runs special formats, such as a Ladies tournament in May 2026. The next Autumn 2026 Super Finale is scheduled for 13 December 2026.
Where can you play with Black Cat Events?
The circuit relies on a network of venues in Drôme and Isère, with tournaments from Monday to Sunday:
| Venue | Town | Game day |
|---|---|---|
| Tandem | Portes-lès-Valence (26) | Monday |
| Le Tonneau Dort | Saint-Marcellin (38) | Monday |
| Le M | Châtillon-Saint-Jean (26) | Monday and Thursday |
| LBS - Relais El Camino | Eymeux (26) | Tuesday and Friday |
| L'Instant | La Côte-Saint-André (38) | Wednesday |
| La MaroGeai's | Margès (26) | Thursday |
| Le Pizzalon | Izeron (38) | Thursday |
| La Table des Bons Amis | Aouste-sur-Sye (26) | Friday and Sunday |
| La Frégate | Chabeuil (26) | Saturday |
In total, the circuit boasts 782 members and 168 tournaments played. The up-to-date schedule can be found on the Partner venues page of the Black Cat Events website.
How to take part
- Go to blackcatevents.fr and pick the venue closest to you.
- Join its club via the Blind Valet app, which handles registrations, results and live rankings.
- Sign up for the next tournament, come and play, and build up points until you qualify for the Super Finale.
To follow results, photos and news: Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
The circuit's equipment: made by Cartes Production
A circuit that runs every night of the week in nine different venues needs equipment that is reliable, quick to set up and true to the brand. That is where Cartes Production comes in: we supply Black Cat Events with poker equipment for its venue tournaments and its Super Finales.
Custom poker tables in the black cat's colours
Players on the circuit sit around custom poker tables branded Black Cat Events. A table felt printed with the circuit's logo instantly gives the evenings an identity, whether in a pizzeria or at a Super Finale, and makes the event recognisable in every photo shared on social media. For a travelling organiser, it is also a concrete selling point with venues: the decor for the night arrives with the tournament.
- Felt printed with the logo and the brand colours
- Surface built for intensive play, night after night
See our poker tables · custom gaming mats
Custom dealer buttons
On every table, the Black Cat Events custom dealer button marks the dealer's position. A small object, but the one every player looks at on every hand: it is one of the most visible branding items at a tournament. Our custom dealer buttons are made of ceramic, with full-colour printing of the design of your choice.
See our custom dealer buttons and card guards
Standard tournament equipment
For everything else, Cartes Production supplies the circuit with everyday gaming equipment: poker chips, cards, standard dealer buttons and accessories. Equipment designed for regular tournaments, where reliability matters as much as looks.
Do you run a circuit or a club?
What we do for Black Cat Events, we do for clubs, associations and tournament organisers: custom tables, mats, dealer buttons and chips, with graphic design based on your logo. Discover our range of custom chips and accessories or contact us for a quote.
Frequently asked questions
Are Black Cat Events tournaments really free?
Yes. Both the venue tournaments and the Super Finales are 100% free, with no entry fee and no money at stake. Qualification for the Super Finale is based on the championship rankings.
What does the Super Finale winner get?
A Las Vegas package: flights, hotel, local transport, breakfasts and 4 tickets worth $100 each to play in tournaments at Caesars Palace. The other winners receive Texapoker tickets.
Where are Black Cat Events tournaments held?
In partner bars, restaurants and pizzerias in Drôme and Isère, France, notably in Portes-lès-Valence, Saint-Marcellin, Chabeuil, Eymeux, Aouste-sur-Sye, Châtillon-Saint-Jean, Margès, Izeron and La Côte-Saint-André.
How do I sign up for a tournament?
By joining the club of your chosen venue on the Blind Valet app, accessible from the blackcatevents.fr website, then registering for the tournament you want.
Who supplies the equipment for Black Cat Events tournaments?
Cartes Production equips the circuit: custom poker tables and dealer buttons in Black Cat Events colours, plus standard equipment (chips, cards, accessories).