The good ones.

People that write about how soft games are, are always the actual fish.

Their schedule says they have 2/5 a few nights a week at Texas Card House in Austin. Does it run? What's the max buyin? Do the games actually end at 3am as their schedule says?

To date, is there a similar place in Houston?

Yes
No max
Yes
Don't know

My friend and I are opening one today May 19. We are doing grand opening promo. Feel free to pm for more info.

Is this loophole a TX thing only? Do other states have these type of places?

For what it's worth, there is a poker club in Columbus Ohio. They have operated for years without being shut down and there is even a casino in Columbus now. There is an initial membership fee and then I think it's $10 admission every time you go. They even tip the dealers there but I think you buy "tip chips." They aren't in play and can only be used for tipping.

There were at least 2 other poker clubs in Ohio. 1 in Cleveland and 1 in Canton, they were shut down by police.

If you guys happen to know any places to play in Abilene, PM me. I'm stuck here for a year and would appreciate it. Austin's a little far.

If its legal post the info. Thanks!

I did a research on facebook for legal poker in houston. Texas All-in lounge comes up. Is this the one?

Hey, where is my dealer bro from the Kennel Club😊

Seems like a good business to run in a lot of states I must say.

Went to the Texas Card House last night, hadn't been in a number of months.

They had 4 full $1/$2 NL tables going all night. For some reason no tournament.

The fee structure has changed since I was there last, it's now $20/month flat fee, and
then $8/hour that you sit at the tables.

They also said they're going to open a north Austin location 4th quarter of this year,
both Round Rock and Pflugerville were mentioned as position locations

this is clearly a violation of Texas Gaming laws.

How are these guys keeping square with local authorities?

Apparently as long as they don't take a rake, they are within the letter of the law. I know they have taken much precaution to make sure they are legal.

Here is another no rake club in Texas. This one is in San Antonio. Chock full on day one.
http://www.alamocardhouse.net/

most state laws (including TX) do not talk specifically about taking rake or not taking rake.

instead state laws typically talk about "economic benefit". If someone benefits economically from hosting a gambling activity then they commit a crime.

I'm still not sure how these new clubs in TX are getting around the above. Aside from club owners, unless dealers are working for free, not sure how anyone could argue they do not benefit economically from running game. It's more likely that local authorities have for now, chosen not to prosecute.

here's a summary of the TX gaming laws. site has the same for all states

http://www.gambling-law-us.com/State-Laws/Texas/

tl;dr: These rooms are illegal and will be closed (imo).

Law enforcement is busy playing whack-a-mole with illegal game rooms and other investigations.

In the past, they've taken months and in one case they took over a year to complete an investigation into establishments with 8-liner machines (think slot machines).

Here's the head of the Austin Vice Squad discussing game room investigations.

One problem with these rooms is that they are everywhere, and they close up and move all the time. But the main problem with 8-liner game rooms is that they're legal as long as the prizes they pay out aren't worth more than $5.

Law enforcement can't tell by just driving down the street and seeing one of these places in operation whether the room is legal or not, so an investigation (that will stand up in court according to the DA) has to be done to prosecute.

Typically, neighbors complain or there's an incident at one of these places that causes an investigation to be launched. In 2012 a guy was shot and killed trying to rob one of these places, which brought on an investigation.

These poker rooms are not "private places" and the owners are receiving an "economic benefit" other than "personal winnings."

A bunch of restaurant/bars were having poker nights in central Texas and some of the owners asked the DA's office if they were within the law because they weren't charging anything. No rake, no entry fees, no dealer tips etc. (I've seen dealers at charity events, but usually the restaurant games had the players dealing).

The DA told them that they received an economic benefit from players purchasing food and drinks at their establishment, and that made the games illegal. The places where I saw games shut them down, and I haven't seen an advertisement for one of these in years.

I have no doubt whatsoever these poker rooms will eventually be closed down.

So a chess tournament (fees/prizes) in the restaurant would also be illegal then because of benefitting from the purchase of food and drink?

no.

reference the definition of "Bet" in the TX law.

dont want to derail this into the ongoing skill vs luck debate. all would agree that poker has some element of chance, whereas chess does not.

OK, I overlooked the "bet" section which sheds light on the topic. You are right that we should not hijack this thread with the "skill vs. luck" debate, but you can google "chess element of chance" and find some interesting threads that would challenge your argument that "chess does not have an element of chance".

they make you sign a crapload of paperwork. its pretty sketch and its a dump. def gonna be shut down

Anybody know if bridge tournaments for money are legal in Texas? If yes, there's a game of skill with an element of luck that is directly comparable to poker, given that the luck element involves the deal of the cards. Might be useful to consider for those fighting this issue in Texas.

Cheers, Greg Raymer (FossilMan)

People pay entry fees in golf tournaments in Texas and then receive cash prizes based on their performance, which is partially influenced by chance.

The owner of the Texas Card House used to work in the Texas House of Representatives as the Chairman of the Licensing and Administrative committee. I know from talking to him that he has a relationship with the powers that be that have the power to shut him down, and he feels that he's been given the "ok."

http://www.cardplayer.com/poker-news...d-em-back-home

He's invested a lot of money and time into this venture, and I'd think if he was in the slightest bit worried, he wouldn't be opening yet
another location 4th quarter of this year.