The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas officially opened its new poker room on Saturday.

The poker room is the first for the casino whose brand name “Hard Rock” is best known for its American cuisine restaurants around the world that feature displays of rock ‘n roll memorabilia.

The 18-table poker room opened at 4 p.m. with a gala ribbon-cutting ceremony in which former Mafia lawyer and current Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, along with poker pro Doyle “Texas Dolly” Brunson, together used a three-foot-long ceremonial scissors to cut a ribbon and officially open the room.

Goodman looked resplendent in a dark brown, double-breasted suit with white shirt and gold tie, while Brunson looked equally dapper wearing black pants, a bright blue dress shirt and a white cowboy hat.

After the opening, a charity poker tournament was held in the room and included poker pros Hoyt Corkins, Evelyn Ng, Doyle’s son Todd Brunson, Doyle’s daughter Pam Brunson, Chip Jett and Karina Jett.

The tourney was won by Pam Brunson, who received a “Hard Rock”-logoed, custom-made motorcycle for her victorious effort.

(E-mail Tom Somach at tomsomach@yahoo.com.) =A0