Gangseo poker bar with free beginner lessons: Nuts Hold'em

Adding Hold'em to a Balsan and Magok date night

When dating around Magok or Balsan, I usually went with the familiar plan of eating at a good restaurant and then heading to a café. This time, I wanted to try a slightly different Magok date activity, so I visited a Hold'em poker bar! I had never properly played Hold'em before, so at first I wondered whether it would be difficult, but I really loved how kindly they explained everything so even first-time visitors could join comfortably!

Nuts Hold'em basics

• 306, 3F, 391 Gangseo-ro, Gangseo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
• 19:00–04:00 the next day
• Parking available

Nuts Hold'em is conveniently located for Magok and Balsan, making it a nice place to add to the itinerary when you are looking for something new to do in Gangseo-gu after a meal or café visit. I had assumed a Hold'em poker bar was somewhere only people with some gaming experience would go, but they welcomed me kindly so I did not feel awkward even visiting alone for the first time. They also said free lessons are available for people new to Hold'em, so I could get started without feeling pressured.

It is hard enough to find parking in Seoul, but Nuts Hold'em supports up to four hours, so it was convenient to visit by car too!

Drinks and snacks that are great during a game

When you pay the game entry fee, they give you a ticket like this, which you can use to order drinks and food!

There was a wide selection of drinks, including iced Americanos and iced tea, as well as simple but filling food such as rice balls and ramyeon (Korean instant noodles).

I had already eaten, so I only ordered a drink! It was rich, cold, and sweet—the kind of drink that really clears away your thirst! A game can take quite a while once you join, so it was nice to participate while having a drink or snack like this!

There are also some great events for anyone who feels hesitant about a first visit. For women, the first game buy-in is free every day, and they say you receive a ₩10,000 coupon right away if you join the receipt-review event! Since there are events like these, I definitely recommend making the most of them and joining in!

What it felt like for a Hold'em beginner to join a game

Before the game began, I looked around the venue, and it felt spacious and pleasant. I was a little apprehensive about walking in because it was Hold'em, but once inside, it was airy and roomy, so I think it made a good first impression.

When you sit down, they give you chips like these, and I was so nervous before properly joining the game!

Once the game starts, the dealer deals the cards in order. If I looked at my cards and thought they were strong, I joined the pot! If not, I think I folded.

What I remember most from playing Hold'em myself this time was how incredibly quickly time passed. For the first few rounds, I was a little frazzled learning how to read the cards and when to make a choice, but after a few games I gradually started to see the flow of the game—and then it became more and more fun!

In the past, I often planned Balsan or Magok dates mostly around restaurants and cafés, but adding a new activity—Hold'em—this time definitely felt different and was so much fun. If you are looking for a Hold'em poker bar as something to do in Balsan, it seems like a good place to visit with friends and enjoy a game, and even people trying Hold'em for the first time, like me, can join without feeling pressured. Above all, because they explained things kindly from my very first visit, even a Hold'em beginner like me could start the game without being too nervous. If you have been repeating the same kinds of dates in Magok or Balsan, trying a slightly different Magok date activity this time could be a nice idea!