For anyone interested, here are a couple of pictures I took earlier today. You can see the temporary signs they have up right now.

damn, that looks low budget & shady

Actually it really doesnt look shady at all, just empty.

I wouldnt think a ESPN radio station would let their name be used with a shady enterprise...could be way off, dude could be using it w/out their knowledge?

thats pretty standard store front for Houston, and the upkept shrub in the pic makes me think it's totally rundown

long time lurker on the forum but registered so I can confirmed I did hear Fred advertise Mint on his show 2 weeks ago, so yes Mint has an ad spot on ESPN. He mentioned he has a membership there and would be playing sometimes.

Backside of the center is a bayou/creek...so what you are seeing in that pic is likely one of the trees between the building and the creek.

I've been to a number of shows at the Scout Bar but never ventured to the end that Mint is claiming to be setting up shop. As a result, I cannot tell you just how much space there is on that end from the walk-through to the creek/bayou.

Line markings are solid.

This is not what comes to mind when you think of a public poker club. Particularly in a state, where to my knowledge, no other exists.

Well, you could say that, but I imagine if they found out and cared, they'd be able to have you stopped through legal means. That said, announcing that "ESPN radio 97.5 is the official radio station of Mint Poker" could just be the result of a simple advertising arrangement.

A few public poker rooms do now exist in Texas. That thread can be found here: http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/29...texas-1518035/

The parking space lines are bright and aolid. The place was just painted, the reason the awnings are missing is because they're getting replaced.or waiting for tenants and the name will be put on thwm.
I get why people are wary because of the owner but trying to equate a typical 2 story building with a crack house is stupid.

+1 for this. Anyone thinking a poker room in Texas is going to look like the Ritz is crazy. Not to mention, I don't think this will be a room with lots of "high rollers" coming through. For the types of games that will likely be played here on a daily basis (I'm guessing 1/3NL and 2/5NL) I think it's a pretty solid location.

I could agree with everyone here about being wary of the owner. While I'm still thinking about playing some because it's so close to me, I don't think I would play anything but a cash game or something where I was getting paid before I leave. Which does kinda suck.. They were advertising WSOP and WPT satellites on their website which I was really excited to play in. But, after reading the stories from other people on this board the last thing I'm going to do is play anything which involves getting a "voucher" or needing to wait for money/tickets..etc.

the question is...when you register at the desk...if they operate like any other seat rate place in tx...they will clock you in..and charge your debit/credit card when you leave...if you leave without notice - they will dock you the whole time till closing (this is what the austin games do)

Now - do you trust this guy with your credit card info???? that's your choice but me personally...im bringing a marker to check the bills he gives me and there is no way I am going to give him my credit card info

A wise post. This is probably a good strat regardless of the owner's history. Plenty of sketchy people (and just plain incompetence) in the poker industry. Looking back on UB/FTP, it's mind-blowing how trustworthy we were in parking thousands of dollars overseas with unregulated strangers. But, hey, no one ever thought UB players would get paid so I suppose even Michael Eakman might pay the $10k he owes me someday. I've made many attempts to reach him over the past few years to no avail, so if anyone plans on playing at his club, shoot me a PM - would be great so have a contact or two in Houston.

I was just there yesterday and everything is on the up and up. They have building permits and Webster PD is aware and some officers are going to be providing security. Opening date is May 11, 2017 and from the look of the construction there is more than enough time to finish. I am in no way associated with the club.

There is 4,000 square feet. Certainly enough room for at least 10 tables

Not a "public" club as memberships are required so it is a "private club"

People in Texas are trying to get legal poker going. Stop hating losers. Give them a chance. Paid membership club is an interesting model and is potentially way better financially for the player compared to rake.

I don't think people are hating on the idea and efforts to get legal poker going in texas, people are concerned that this room is being run by a known scammer per other threads and simple googling.

If online poker was made legal/regulated in all of the US and the first site was being opened by Russ Hamilton the reactions would be the same.

its like the story of a scorpion riding on the back of a beaver across a river
the scorpion stings the beaver half way across
as the beaver sinks and is about to drown - he asks the scorpion why did he sting him for the scorpion is going to drown as well
Sorry...it is just my nature

So - when you give this guy your confidential information of bank account info - i wish you the best crossing that river

to date...Mr Eakmann has been given every opportunity to refute any of these claims - he could prove that indeed they are false - not a word

on ripoff.com - they give you the ability to rebuttal - not a word

If i was a business man - and i had such an endeavor to get people to trust me with their money..i would be make sure that i tidied up all loose ends before spending 10s of thousands of dollars opening a club.

Instead - silence - this is posted in Facebook / twitter and THE BEST poker news and views community - would you want your good name (if you had one) to be trashed so much?

Is this the Canadian version of the fable?

In the UK version it's riding across on a cup of tea

^ That's ludicrous. Everyone knows the scorpion rides the kangaroo.

in the US....every story is much more interesting when it involves beavers

This is exactly why I created this thread.

There are two very obvious shill accounts posting in this thread.

I am pretty positive I sent you a pm a long time ago, when I created this thread.