diff --git a/src/slack-api-rx.js b/src/slack-api-rx.js
index 1745d12..49dc887 100644
--- a/src/slack-api-rx.js
+++ b/src/slack-api-rx.js
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ module.exports = class SlackApiRx {
   // Returns an {Observable} that signals completion
   static openDms(slackApi, users) {
     let ret = rx.Observable.fromArray(users)
-      .flatMap(user => SlackApiRx.getOrOpenDm(slackApi, user))
+      .flatMap((user) => SlackApiRx.getOrOpenDm(slackApi, user))
       .reduce((acc, x) => {
         acc[x.id] = x.dm;
         return acc;
@@ -21,33 +21,67 @@ module.exports = class SlackApiRx {
     return ret;
   }
   
-  // Private: Checks for the existence of an open DM channel for the user, and
-  // opens one if necessary.
+  // Private: Checks for the existence of an open DM channel for the user,
+  // opens one if necessary, then waits for the `im_open` event and retrieves
+  // the DM channel.
   //
   // slackApi - An instance of the Slack client
   // user - The user we are trying to DM with
   //
-  // Returns an {Observable} of the opened DM channel
+  // Returns an {Observable} representing the opened channel. This will be an
+  // object with two keys: `id` and `dm`. DM will be null if the API call
+  // failed for some reason (e.g., an invalid user).
   static getOrOpenDm(slackApi, user) {
-    let readySubj = new rx.AsyncSubject();
+    console.log(`Getting DM channel for ${user.name}`);
     let dm = slackApi.getDMByName(user.name);
-    console.log(`Opening DM channel for ${user.name}`);
     
-    if (!dm || !dm.is_open) {
-      slackApi.openDM(user.id, (result) => {
-        if (result.ok) {
-          dm = slackApi.getDMByName(user.name);
-          readySubj.onNext({id: user.id, dm: dm});
-          readySubj.onCompleted();
-        } else {
-          console.log(`Unable to open DM for ${user.name}: ${result.error}`);
-          readySubj.onCompleted();
-        }
-      });
-    } else {
-      readySubj.onNext({id: user.id, dm: dm});
-      readySubj.onCompleted();
+    // Bot players don't need DM channels; we only talk to humans
+    if ((dm && dm.is_open) || user.isBot) {
+      return rx.Observable.return({id: user.id, dm: dm});
     }
-    return readySubj;
+    
+    console.log(`No open channel found, opening one using ${user.id}`);
+    
+    return SlackApiRx.openDm(slackApi, user)
+      .flatMap(() => SlackApiRx.waitForDmToOpen(slackApi, user))
+      .flatMap((dm) => rx.Observable.return({id: user.id, dm: dm}))
+      .catch(rx.Observable.return({id: user.id, dm: null}));
+  }
+  
+  // Private: Maps the `im.open` API call into an {Observable}.
+  //
+  // Returns an {Observable} that signals completion, or an error if the API
+  // call fails
+  static openDm(slackApi, user) {
+    let calledOpen = new rx.AsyncSubject();
+    
+    slackApi.openDM(user.id, (result) => {
+      if (result.ok) {
+        calledOpen.onNext(user.name);
+        calledOpen.onCompleted();
+      } else {
+        console.log(`Unable to open DM for ${user.name}: ${result.error}`);
+        calledOpen.onError(new Error(result.error));
+      }
+    })
+    
+    return calledOpen;
+  }
+
+  // Private: The `im.open` callback is still not late enough; we need to wait
+  // for the client's underlying list of DM's to be updated. When that occurs
+  // we can retrieve the DM.
+  //
+  // Returns a replayable {Observable} containing the opened DM channel
+  static waitForDmToOpen(slackApi, user) {
+    let ret = rx.DOM.fromEvent(slackApi, 'raw_message')
+      .where((m) => m.type === 'im_open' && m.user === user.id)
+      .take(1)
+      .flatMap(() => rx.Observable.timer(100).map(() => 
+        slackApi.getDMByName(user.name)))
+      .publishLast();
+      
+    ret.connect();
+    return ret;
   }
 };
diff --git a/src/texas-holdem.js b/src/texas-holdem.js
index db92198..6bfbdab 100644
--- a/src/texas-holdem.js
+++ b/src/texas-holdem.js
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ const _ = require('underscore-plus');
 
 const Deck = require('./deck');
 const PotManager = require('./pot-manager');
+const SlackApiRx = require('./slack-api-rx');
 const PlayerOrder = require('./player-order');
 const PlayerStatus = require('./player-status');
 const ImageHelpers = require('./image-helpers');
@@ -486,7 +487,14 @@ class TexasHoldem {
 
       if (!player.isBot) {
         let dm = this.playerDms[player.id];
-        dm.send(`Your hand is: ${this.playerHands[player.id]}`);
+        if (!dm) {
+          SlackApiRx.getOrOpenDm.subscribe(({dm}) => {
+            this.playerDms[player.id] = dm;
+            dm.send(`Your hand is: ${this.playerHands[player.id]}`);
+          });
+        } else {
+          dm.send(`Your hand is: ${this.playerHands[player.id]}`);
+        }
       } else {
         player.holeCards = this.playerHands[player.id];
       }