Poker Legality

[KarmaPolice]

Anyone know what the deal is with underground poker games. If I am playing in one and the cops bust it, do I get in trouble or is it just the people hosting the game...

 

[edro]

It isn't illegal unless the house makes money.
If the house is paying for the food and drinks with all of the proceeds, it is legal.

 

[KarmaPolice]

the house makes money

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: KarmaPolice
the house makes money

Then it's illegal. You're participating in an illegal activity. Expect to be arrested.

 

[FP]

I'm telling.

How do you know the house makes money? Is it a back alley, knock three times type of thing or a buddy who has a fixed buy-in that goes toward food/beer plus alittle extra for his troubles?

 

[KarmaPolice]

Originally posted by: binister
I'm telling.

How do you know the house makes money? Is it a back alley, knock three times type of thing or a buddy who has a fixed buy-in that goes toward food/beer plus alittle extra for his troubles?

I haven't been yet, but its more of the...you have to know someone, or they know you, video camera, knock thing...

 

[buck]

Originally posted by: KarmaPolice

Originally posted by: binister
I'm telling.

How do you know the house makes money? Is it a back alley, knock three times type of thing or a buddy who has a fixed buy-in that goes toward food/beer plus alittle extra for his troubles?

I haven't been yet, but its more of the...you have to know someone, or they know you, video camera, knock thing...

Obvious question, are there casinos near you?

 

[alien42]

there were several around here that were robbed at gunpoint, including one that had an off duty cop as a doorman. that would be my biggest concern.

 

[buck]

Originally posted by: alien42
there were several around here that were robbed at gunpoint, including one that had an off duty cop as a doorman. that would be my biggest concern.

ditto


OP:
Its one thing to have a home game with friends, its another to be in a sketchy environment. You mentioned cameras and stuff, that isnt the kind of place I would like to play.
Casinos ftw.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Originally posted by: buck

Originally posted by: KarmaPolice

Originally posted by: binister
I'm telling.

How do you know the house makes money? Is it a back alley, knock three times type of thing or a buddy who has a fixed buy-in that goes toward food/beer plus alittle extra for his troubles?

I haven't been yet, but its more of the...you have to know someone, or they know you, video camera, knock thing...

Obvious question, are there casinos near you?

No, sadly. makes no sense why its illegal in the first place.

Yeah its not the nicest image there is but I know a few of the people that play there and they are all just regular guys.

I love poker, and I am pretty good...Its just not worth getting in serious trouble playing live when I can play online, but if its only the house that gets in trouble I don't mind.

 

[ponyo]

House games are where the real money is made or lost and not casinos. If you're street smart and careful, you shouldn't have any problem.

 

[buck]

Originally posted by: KarmaPolice

Originally posted by: buck

Originally posted by: KarmaPolice

Originally posted by: binister
I'm telling.

How do you know the house makes money? Is it a back alley, knock three times type of thing or a buddy who has a fixed buy-in that goes toward food/beer plus alittle extra for his troubles?

I haven't been yet, but its more of the...you have to know someone, or they know you, video camera, knock thing...

Obvious question, are there casinos near you?

No, sadly. makes no sense why its illegal in the first place.

Yeah its not the nicest image there is but I know a few of the people that play there and they are all just regular guys.

I love poker, and I am pretty good...Its just not worth getting in serious trouble playing live when I can play online, but if its only the house that gets in trouble I don't mind.

Tell me about it, I have to drive a little over an hour each way to play at a Casino. Played yesterday from 10am till 12am, its not vegas but atleast i get to play. Whatever you decide to do, good luck .
This thread reminds me that I need to get back out to vegas for a long weekend again soon.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: KarmaPolice

Originally posted by: binister
I'm telling.

How do you know the house makes money? Is it a back alley, knock three times type of thing or a buddy who has a fixed buy-in that goes toward food/beer plus alittle extra for his troubles?

I haven't been yet, but its more of the...you have to know someone, or they know you, video camera, knock thing...

If it were legal, why would they need all the subterfuge?

So what ever happened to playing poker with "the guys"? Why is that everyone these days so insistent that their money to to some larger organization, like the casino or the mob or some other bunch of criminals (wow, that was a redundant sentence...)?

 

[sixone]

Originally posted by: KarmaPolice
Anyone know what the deal is with underground poker games. If I am playing in one and the cops bust it, do I get in trouble or is it just the people hosting the game...

You will be in trouble, too.

 

[ponyo]

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: KarmaPolice

Originally posted by: binister
I'm telling.

How do you know the house makes money? Is it a back alley, knock three times type of thing or a buddy who has a fixed buy-in that goes toward food/beer plus alittle extra for his troubles?

I haven't been yet, but its more of the...you have to know someone, or they know you, video camera, knock thing...

If it were legal, why would they need all the subterfuge?

So what ever happened to playing poker with "the guys"? Why is that everyone these days so insistent that their money to to some larger organization, like the casino or the mob or some other bunch of criminals (wow, that was a redundant sentence...)?

Because most of "the guys" don't play for tens of thousands of dollars. Average pot in these home games are thousands of dollars and big money is won and lost every night. These kind of home games are not for the average joe. If you're average joe, you're better off sticking with playing with your buddies, online, or going to the casinos.

 

[BigJ]

I think you'd be better off playing online.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Originally posted by: Naustica

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: KarmaPolice

Originally posted by: binister
I'm telling.

How do you know the house makes money? Is it a back alley, knock three times type of thing or a buddy who has a fixed buy-in that goes toward food/beer plus alittle extra for his troubles?

I haven't been yet, but its more of the...you have to know someone, or they know you, video camera, knock thing...

If it were legal, why would they need all the subterfuge?

So what ever happened to playing poker with "the guys"? Why is that everyone these days so insistent that their money to to some larger organization, like the casino or the mob or some other bunch of criminals (wow, that was a redundant sentence...)?

Because most of "the guys" don't play for tens of thousands of dollars. Average pot in these home games are thousands of dollars and big money is won and lost every night. These kind of home games are not for the average joe. If you're average joe, you're better off sticking with playing with your buddies, online, or going to the casinos.

Its just 1/2 nothing huge...but none of my friends will be up for playing with 100 dollars or more on the table. They want to play .25 cent

 

[Fingolfin269]

Do you have to play heads up with a scruffy looking skinny dude named KGB?

 

[KarmaPolice]

Originally posted by: Fingolfin269
Do you have to play heads up with a scruffy looking skinny dude named KGB?

I do have one russian friend...but he is very friendly.

 

[aplefka]

Originally posted by: Naustica
House games are where the real money is made or lost and not casinos. If you're street smart and careful, you shouldn't have any problem.

Wtf are you talking about? You're telling me you and your buddies play games where people buy in with upwards of several hundred dollars each? Casinos are not only more lucrative, they're also easier since you aren't jaded by your perception of your friends as people outside of the game.

 

[FP]

Does he eat Oreos? I hear they are a tell.

 

[pray4mojo]

Originally posted by: binister
Does he eat Oreos? I hear they are a tell.

I bet it all.

 

[hypn0tik]

I play house games with my buddies every Sunday (i.e. one later on tonight). $5 buy-in, and an additional $5 optional buy-in/add on. Perfect stakes for me.