Danny describes himself as, "a modest guy who likes to bring people together, and make new friends."   Every Tuesday, for five years, Danny successfully runs the Bay Area Poker Club at Silks Poker Room. This well-organized Tuesday night club of 65 players sends poker players to the World Series of Poker annually thanks to Danny's skills as a manager.  Last year, 20 players from the club participated in the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas, Danny anticipates a similar number going this spring. (The club is structured to return a portion of each player’s WSOP winnings to all the members.) Danny is currently one of the hottest players in the state, it's no surprise that Silks Poker Room at Tampa Bay Downs upped the ante by naming Mr. Danny Lobato "Ambassador of The Silks Poker Room at Tampa Bay Downs" on February 1st.

Silks Ups the Ante with Popular Player 'The Mayor' 

Danny first came to the Tampa Bay area in the 80's and currently resides a few miles from Silks with his wife Gina. Known in poker circles  as “The Mayor”, Danny's love for the game and appreciation for it's players drives him as he passionately pursues opportunities to advance the game and players. Mr. Lobato will serve as a liaison between players and Director of Poker Operations Patrick Murphy and staff. “Danny has always been courteous and friendly with the staff and patrons and is very knowledgeable about the current state of poker trends. We are very happy to have him on board and look forward to some positive changes in the very near future”, said Murphy

“Silks is one of the more upscale rooms in the area and I feel like I’m playing with my friends whenever I come here, so it’s a good feeling to be in a position where I can help them.” said Lobato, who has earned more than $130,000 in tournament play over the last several months. “I’m a very social guy, anyway. I like to joke and talk at the table and have fun and make everybody laugh,” Danny said. “I can come here at any time, any day, and jump into a cash game and know most of the players. Most of the management knows me, too, which makes for a warm, fuzzy feeling."  Danny said, "Silks is like Cheers, it's one of those comfortable places where everybody knows your name."
 

A Life Lesson

A natural organizer Danny was always the Coach, Fantasy Football League Commissioner, the person in charge of the group.  He is excited to take on the role of "Ambassador" feeling he fits a need with as he put it, "Something I am good at."  After retiring last year from his sign business Danny entered a series of $45 Texas Hold’em Tournaments at The Silks Poker Room for fun.  Having done well at home with friends, Lobato had high hopes.  They were dashed as he discovered the action in Silks was at a level he was unaccustomed to facing. “I got a hard lesson of what the real world of poker was about. I wasn’t as good as I thought,” said Lobato. “But I had a passion for the game and knew I could be good if I put the work in.” When his wife Gina realized how serious he was about exploring the world of high-stakes poker, she enrolled him in a three-day poker camp taught by professional players. It opened his eyes to what he knew and didn’t know about the game, and within a few years Danny reached his goal of competing strictly with his winnings.

Danny also dreamed of paying it forward by organizing charity tournaments.  Historically charity tournaments drew on average 20 players, not Danny's. Danny's tournaments for Breast Cancer research and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society are both fun and beneficial, through word-of-mouth they have grown to over 100 contestants! Danny's goals for Silks is to bring more players to the room, generate structure for players, to be sure everyone is having fun and to making Silks the best Poker Room in Tampa.  Danny also has plans for $200, $300, and $400 tournament tables to complement the $40, $50 and $60 dollar tables at Silks.  Danny plans to up the ante, bringing in high-dollar players.

 

I am going to be a voice for the players, your opinion matters at The Silks Poker Room!

One of Danny's recommendations is already coming to fruition as Danny and Silks Poker Room celebrate their first Seniors Tournament Saturday, February 20th at 1:00 pm.  Held on the third Saturday each month Danny believes the Seniors Tournaments will eventually lead to hosting Ladies Tournaments too! Imagine it, an afternoon of poker, followed by a sumptuous lunch and a massage!

Danny believes his role as Ambassador of The Silks Poker Room will be a win-win for the facility, fellow players and himself. “I’m going to represent the room, develop strategies to bring in better events and bigger tournaments.” he said. “It’s exciting, because I am someone who likes to promote events and organize people. I’m also going to be a voice for the players who support the smaller buy-in tournaments that are the bread-and-butter of the room, but we definitely want to bring in bigger buy-in players who have more discretionary income."

Danny Lobato's Accomplishments: 

  • 14th among more than 2,700 players in the 2011 WSOP in a $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em tournament, earning $29,300. 
  • 2nd in the No-Limit Hold’em Main Event at the Players Poker Championship PPC Poker Tour Aruba World Championship in Palm Beach, earning $62,480.
  • 2nd In July 2014's No-Limit Hold’em Main Event in Tampa earning $32,000 in a PPC

If you would like to reach out to Danny about his Tuesday Club or charity events you can email Danny at Dannypoker115@gmail.com or stop by The Silk's Poker Room at Tampa Bay Downs.