I’ve been getting the Bellaire Texts as well. Couple months ago I got them for some place by Hobby Airport. I figured they bought the text list from VIP, 333 couple clubs that closed.

Anyone else hear about the "fight" between Chad Burns and Ben Daniel(former dealer at Prime who now works at Lions) at Prime on Friday? It was the talk of the place yesterday.

Apparently Chad and Ben had some sort of online feud back and forth on Facebook and Chad said if Ben showed his face at Prime he would pay him $1,000. Ben showed up and told Chad "pay me the $1,000 biiiitchhh!" and Chad then hit him. He then ran and picked up a chair and was close to hitting Ben with it until others intervened. Ben is pressing charges and Chad got banned from Prime.

Ben posted here several times earlier in the thread. Any additional info/update on this? Would be great to hear the story from the horse's mouth.

The Poker Club at West Houston is def accepting cash for dealer tips. Played there a few weeks ago and can confirm.

And I believe they are starting a bad beat jackpot in February.

Conversation on my flight back from LAS last night is that there will be a new one in the Clear Lake area opening within the next few months.

Had actually been interesting since the conversation was with someone I had not seen in more than a decade and it was just by chance we saw each other at the gate for the flight back to AUS. Location will suck for me since Clear Lake is not a good location for me but would potentially work for those who need/want an alternative to Mint...

i can tell you that i had club 333 and i have NEVER given out a single phone number without the expressed permission of the owner - if you call me and ask for someone's number - I will tell you that I will forward your number (with your permission) - to the person and they will call you back. This applies to EVERYONE no matter if i know you are friends.

Tonight at Mint someone was saying that a new place was opening at 45 and Fuqua. Supposedly they will charge $8 an hour.

This would be the 5th legal place that has opened in the last year - the area has had numerous games over the years - the underground ones flourished but it is not appealing to the legal players. I live very close to that area and would be happy to see such a place.

I believe I know who it is but the person has tried several times but due to past history he has not been able to raise capital to open before in the current format.

First to market Mint Poker is making $. No others have been able to break in and succeed. Most due to shady operators/owners who many players have a problem with - Club 333, Freerolls, the one prior to Freerolls in the old VIP location etc. Would be nice to get a good operator out in that area. And Clive before you send a long dissertation about my Club 333 reference I'm referring to Augie/Robert obviously.

the name of the club was STAX and i would not be surprised if it is going to be run by the people you mentioned

Im saying that this would be the 5th one in the Fuqua / 45S area....club 333 was at beltway 8 and cullen - horrible location

Freerolls - They are in desperation mode now. Posting pics on FB of chip stacks and large pots and claiming "get down here now" these pots are big and the game is crazy. Checked Poker Atlas and there was 1 game of 1/3 NL going with 2 people waiting. Yeah, right Charles! I'll get right down there.

Post Oak - Is doing a free $500 freeroll every night in February at 7:30. It is working had a bunch of tables going last night and the place was the busiest it's been in years. Action was off the charts too. Had 4 1/3 NL, 2 1/2/5 PLO and 1 10/20 ROE going.

Played at Mint Poker today and I guess they know something that other rooms don’t cause now there raking $2 every hand for promotions and jackpots. Lots of players were happy with the promotions. One of there Bad Beat Jackpots already hit this morning.

For us out of the loop ex Houstonians, are you saying there is a Door fee, Hourly fee, Membership fee and now 2 dollars per hand in rake? Just curious.

Yes there charging and Raking now.

It’s $2 for every hand over $20. Agree, lots of people not happy but we’ll see if people start staying away. Dealers are worried because if place gets raided they won’t be able to deal at casino’s. One said they almost quit. They also said that a pay cut is coming for dealers. Going to get dropped to $2.50 (?) same rate as waiters. Mint has some pretty good dealers but if there’s an exodus it will really hurt. Dealers talked about how owner is getting greedy.

I have 0 faith in promo money all being returned to players. There’s no one regulating this to ensure it happens.

Lol WTF, they gonna add some slot machines too? How is this legal?

getting greedy?...from a guy that has numerous reports of ripping off charities and individuals - remember the guy that "bought a franchise" (min price was 100K) - who did not see that as a scam other investors?

Past customer entering
Clerk - Hi there - I see you have not been here since the changes
Customer - No I haven't
Clerk - Well we have some changes
Customer - Oh really - what are they
Clerk - We now have free food
Customer - Oh that's great
Clerk - And free beer
Customer - that's fantastic
Clerk - Enjoy the games

At the table - 1st hand
Customer - why are you taking $2 out of the pot
Dealer - to pay for the Food and the drinks
Customer - Well I don't want any food is coffee still free
Dealer - Oh yes sir - no charge at all
Customer - then do i have to pay the $2
Dealer - Yes sir - they also fund our promotions
Customer - Oh...what promotions
Dealer - the bad beat for one
Customer - what is the bad beat
Dealer - (lets say its quad 5s beat by better)
Customer - but that is millions to one to hit - what does it pay
Dealer - $50k
Customer - Oh so I get $50 if i win
Dealer - no you get get 1/2 of it if you lose
Customer - what do i get if i win
Dealer - half of what the loser gets
Customer - wait 1/2 plus 1/4 get 3/4 - where does the rest go
Dealer - the rest of the table divides it up
Customer ....ok

45 min later
Dealer - sir your time has expired - do you wish to put another $15 on your card
Customer - I thought it was $10 per hr
Dealer - sorry - our rates have increased to $15 per hr
Customer - really - why?
Dealer - to pay for the bad beat - the free food and drink and other jackpots

Customer - RACK PLEASE

Unimaginably stupid move from Mint.

If we're being honest, it seems unlikely these places were ever legal, but I guess they'd try to argue that all the money is returned to the players... eventually?

Are there any membership poker clubs in the Bryan/College Station area?

IMO we're reaching market saturation. No chance all these clubs can make a profit...

So I remember seeing the words “rake free” somewhere on Mint’s website, like all the other clubs do, but I no longer see those words ANYWHERE on their website, and even though they are no longer a “rake free” establishment, they don’t have “jackpots” checked on Poker Atlas. Hmmmmmmm...............

I wouldn’t be surprised if this idiot’s stupid decision and greed will be the cause of ALL the “legal” Clubs getting shutdown. But of course, that would make every dealer and underground game runner jump up and down for joy!

or will it result in others "pushing the envelope" - basically you are now paying $20/hr

NO, there will not be one in either city for a long time if ever....