Industry Insiders: Cody Hughey on the Rise of Poker at Hard Rock Tulsa
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Poker players tend to get the spotlight, but in PokerNews’ “Industry Insiders” series we aim to give those folks who operate behind the scenes their due. From tournament directors to dealers, marketing folks to shift supervisors, it takes dozens, if not hundreds, of people to throw a successful poker tournament.
In Oklahoma, the Hard Rock Tulsa has become a force in the poker world over the past few years. From high-stakes cash games to mid-major tournament series, the Hard Rock dominates the poker scene in the Northeast part of the state, and part of the reason is sound leadership.
The Tulsa Poker Trade
Cody Hughey, 35, was born and raised in Muskogee, Oklahoma, a city made famous by the Merle Haggard song. He’s married to wife Brandy with whom he has a nine-year-old daughter, Ardyn. He played baseball and graduated from Northeastern State University before finding his way into the gaming industry, which is where he’s spent the past decade.
"I continued as a player in that room for several months before taking a job as a poker/blackjack dealer and ultimately working my way into management."
“I have been interested in poker and card games since I was a teenager,” Hughey explained. “If I had to pinpoint the moment that really peaked my interest in the poker scene I would have to say it was the first time I sat down to play at a local casino. While passing by the poker room I was encouraged to join the game by Mike Walcutt, a math teacher from my high school.”
He continued: “I bought in for the minimum $40 in the $4-$8 limit hold’em game. I ran that up to $240 and walked out the door to friendly hecklers as I called it a night. I continued as a player in that room for several months before taking a job as a poker/blackjack dealer and ultimately working my way into management. Mike and I cross paths occasionally and he’ll joke about taking full responsibility for my career in the industry.”
In January 2018, Hughey joined the table games team at Hard Rock Tulsa as a Pit Manager. A few months later, an opportunity presented itself – to become the Card Games Manager to oversee poker operations.
“Poker had always been my first passion in casino gaming,” said Hughey, who immediately accepted. “I was excited to join the team and help shape the future success of the poker room.”
Only as Good as Your Team
Like any well-oiled poker room, the manager knows he’s only as good as his employees.
“I can’t say enough about the team here. We have an exceptional group of professionals who are passionate about providing the best poker experience for our guests,” Hughey boasted. “Our team is dedicated to make sure we are always in the conversation as a premiere poker destination. That customer service foundation allows us to confidently host events like the Oklahoma State Championship of Poker, RunGood Poker Series and WSOP Circuit events.”
In 2019, Hard Rock Tulsa hosted two RGPS $675 Main Events with the first attracting 319 runners and seeing Blair Hinkle come out on top for $44,012. In the Fall, it was Sam Washburn besting a 372-entry field to win the title for $40,963.
Last March, the WSOP Circuit also rolled into town and saw Phillip Pope top a 533-entry field to win the $1,700 Main Event for $215,000. Other ring winners from the stop included Trung Pham, Daniel Lowery, and Michael Perrone, just to name a few.
Such events are a testament to the strong poker scene in Tulsa.
“The Tulsa poker community is really something special. You’ll find a good mix of accomplished players from local series champions to bracelet winners that call Tulsa home. You always see a strong turnout from Tulsa players in events around the region. We pride ourselves at Hard Rock Tulsa in offering both fun and competitive events that continue to prepare our player base to compete with the best across the country. Whether you’re buying shots or winning pots the Tulsa poker scene is something to be proud of.”
Craziest Poker Story
While he’s only been on the poker side of the business for a relatively short period of time, Hughey has been around the block as a player. It was in that capacity that he saw something wild while playing in another card room in Oklahoma.
“The venue was full of tables, chatter and chip shuffling,” Hughey explained. “All of a sudden, BOOM! It sounded as if a cannon went off in the room. Nobody moved and you could hear a pin drop in that venue. After a few moments of suspense, we found out that someone’s wheelchair tire had exploded at another table. Nobody was injured. You could hear a few laughs go around the room as most couldn’t believe that’s where the sound came from.”
Hughey and company are slated to play host to the World Series of Poker Circuit from March 12-23 followed by the RGPS Hard Rock Tulsa April 28-May 3. PokerNews will be on-site to provide live updates from both Main Events.
