keep in mind I have not played in the Houston rooms, but have talked to others who have.

maybe semantics but when I think "underground" games I think cavernous locations, not visible from street, location not advertised, but known to players. fully rake pots, tipped dealers, 100% illegally runs games , moves around a lot.

Legal "Clubs" can be run one of several ways in the U.S. These are typically in public locations (commercial retail space), viewable from street, public advertising. here are the more popular models.

Charity - Laws vary by state (fyi wont work in TX without legislative change)

Membership - Rake is replaced by "membership" thus nobody is raking pots so basically a home game in a really really nice location (funny factoid, NC still has a law on the books that actually makes any home games illegal if played for cash, whether its raked or not !!! )

Membership - hmmm and a third business model develops. hadn't seen this one yet. raking pots is illegal, but providing education is certainly 100% legal.

very smart idea..

Id expect TX is going to see some hyper growth of clubs throughout the state using membership models. If just a few clubs opened they would probably operate forever.

Once 20+ clubs open things might change, as anti-gaming group will pressure for AG opinion on membership fee replacing rake.

Google "Michigan Charity Poker" and see what happened there over a 5 yr period (rags to riches to rags story). I think TX could experience similar or likely even more hyper growth. Though Michigan had another set of issues layered in, a similar movie script is developing in TX

To avoid the "Bust" part of the movie script in TX, club operators need to be smart and work together with a coordinated legislative strategy. Time to do that is now, not when the first Preacher calls his Deacon / State Senator and tells him of the evil that is growing in their community.

Lou,
we are thinking the same. I am curious as to where the 'clubs' are in Houston.

Big Slick is the biggest joke ever.

Just a business front for an elaborate gambling ring of degens who recruit others for underground games and to stake themselves at the casinos.

The one I went to in Houston is on i45N in the back of a shopping center. It had about 12 tables and was packed the night I went there.

Actually, the police/sheriff's office do care, but not that much. There are usually one or two "underground" clubs busted per year. Usually they are only busted if the police get a complaint or they are linked to other illegal activity.
There was a club in Montgomery County just north of Houston that was using the "membership" model. They operated for a few years with no problems until one day the D.A. told them it would be a good idea to shut down. They agreed and then shut down.
If anyone is making money off of the game, then it is illegal. This includes dealers, waitresses and the guy collecting the membership fee. Only true home games with no rake or fees of any kind are legal in Texas.

LOL here i am stressed out about the state of online poker I forgot a few backwards states dont even allow you play in the privacy of your own home the home you paid for and continue to pay property tax for... honestly theres no state more american than texas(seriously)

Playing poker in the privacy of your own home is completely legal in the state of Texas.

If browsing gaming forums for illegal poker games is how law enforcement spends your tax dollars i would stop paying taxes, riot, and impeech the governor of texas

Anyone else had experience with this place?

I'm trying to get into some games in Austin, PM me if you know any!

I've played in Mike Caton's and Tony Nguyen's games years ago.

Lol Tony used to have some sick games... He hasn't resurfaced has he?

Don't know, lost his contact information... and apparently he was involved in some scam/cheat... don't know too many details.

I apparently don't have PM access yet, wished I could message you Austin guys for some information.

Tried PM but it won't allow me to PM you.
I know of a 2-5 game on Wednesday and 5-5 Round and Round game 2-3 nights per week.
PM me if you want the info

This is an insanely common tactic in investigation lololol

Could someone post or PM me how to get info on the Domain game,
I'd appreciate it.

Thanks!

Yeah, it says to prevent spam bots and such there are "requirements" to activate the PM system (which is understandable)... not sure what it is though.

I'll message you as soon as I can!

Knowing whether you are going to win the next hand prior to the cards even being dealt does seem like a form of cheating to me.

any news on clubs in TX?

new clubs opened?

legal issues with current ones?

trip reports?

His infomercials usually start running around midnight. He always has that phone on him. It's an older model, kind of bulky.....

Lol, true. You would think people would catch on when you buy into a $1/$2 game with $30,000...

I haven't seen him around any of the games. Haven't even seen his commercials lately. Can't imagine he'd be allowed in anywhere even if he attempted to come around.

I've seen him a few times at the 24 hour at Parmer/i35. Didn't strike any convo with him, he was at a distance... didn't know about his cheating thing at the time. Was just thinking "oh hey look it's Tony!"

I don't like that this guy Sam Von Kennel is taking credit as if he came up with this idea. Having lived in Houston and San Antonio all my life, we have a few rooms with the exact same "social club" aspect for at least the last 10 years.

can you post here or pm me details on some of theses 'social clubs' in Houston?
thanks.

yeah, I know a few people that would love for him to show up at a game so they could beat the **** out of him. But play? He'll never be allowed to play anywhere again

Was that Buckeye? I heard commercials on the radio for that place.