So the underground games were charging less than the casino is?

And couldn't there be at least a little difference between 70% and 100%?

The games in the clubs charged a straight $20 fee for the night. No rake was taken from the pots.

I would be fine with 70%, but the difference between the two in terms of effect on a game is negligible.

Can't agree more about the high rake being harder on the game than 100% rule. I'd love to see that drop to a more sustainable level, but I just don't see it happening. That said, if the committee wanted to let management know that players would like to see that decrease, even a $1, that'd be just swell.

Rapini: the clubs were legal (because of a loophole) on basis that they were social clubs that charged an entry fee to hang out at the facility, taking a rake is considered to be running a gambling org, which would require a casino license, etc.

Do the people claiming action is dead here even play in this room? Action is often amazing; in fact, there's no question in my mind that the 100% rule has generated better action here than at Cinci NL and Cleveland NL, even if we're getting less tables. While from a sheer # of tables standpoint action has tailed off from the room's opening, that's normal for any casino poker room. Further, Ohio customers have a plethora of options between the four Ohio casinos, local clubs, and casinos in other states. Btw, action has been getting steadily better the last few months, so please stop saying that the room "continues" to "die."

Thanks for the responses. You guys were incredibly lucky to have had an option like that available! Never thought I'd say it, but sounds like a casino coming to town might have been a bad thing for the poker community there.

completely

I am not going to beat a dead horse on the high rake or the 100% buy in debate. The rake everyone agrees should be lower but will not be for the foreseeable future. Both sides on the buy-in argument have points and both sides are dug in based on their view of the world. All
What I will get nitty about is when people talk about the local poker clubs and say they are/were legal…they are not. As a person who has worked quite a while in the Legislative/legal world of charitable gaming in Ohio I can be fairly certain of that fact. I know there are a few lawyers around that have claimed this “loophole” for years; I know a few of them. Just take a read of ORC 2915 and Title 37. The loophole is for private home games, not social clubs that charge admission and allow tipping and compensation for dealers.
Before someone like BradH jumping in and saying of course these are legal, the cops know all about them and don’t shut them down. In fact, off duty cops sometime provide security, so there. My reply, the next time you are cruising down I71 at about 78mph with a speed limit of 70 and go sailing past a State Trooper who does not pull you over do you immediately think “I guess the legal speed limit is now 78.” No, the Trooper showed discretion in whether to pull you over. Discretion that local law enforcement has. Franklin County Prosecutor Ron Welch has decided to not pursue these clubs at this time, other Prosecutors around the state have.
Don’t mean to derail the tread but the comparison to the poker clubs keep coming up. I am sure these are all fine upstanding establishments but they are not legal, either as charitable gaming or a social club.
Derail complete, sorry and carry on.

Ron isn't a Franklin Country prosecutor.

There are arguments for and against the legality of these social poker clubs. A few years ago, one of the local news stations did an undercover piece on them. They filmed inside of Gemini, and then took that footage to the Columbus City Attorney (IMO - the wrong attorney, but that's a different story). She said that from the footage she saw, that no crime had been committed.

The bottom line is that none of these clubs have been charged, fought it in court and have the case adjudicated either way. So we really don't know.

They are up and running in public space. Law officials know about them and they been going strong for years. Not sure what the argument is and/or why the legality even matters at this point.

You are right HeadHunter, I meant Ron O’Brien…not sure why I put Welch. Brain freeze I guess. And I do have to agree with you about taking footage to the Columbus City Attorney…
As far as you and B_O_K_E are concerned (and most other patrons of the clubs I assume) the issue of legality matter little. As you both say, they are operating in the open so what does it matter. In part I agree. It will only matter when/if someone decides to enforce the law. If that never happens then no big deal. If they do decide then we will certainly have an answer on the legality question.
Back to the real subject, poker. I was playing the other night and there was some conversation about new promotions going on. Anything good on the horizon?

Any updates on how the player committee meeting with HCC went?
I've been hearing rumors of some changes (capping buy-ins, Wi-Fi, etc), but does anyone know when these changes will be implemented - if at all?

yo,

assuming the cgs are incred soft? I'm not from the US (German), mainly play MTTS/husngs/dec amount of cash etc, but my gf is from here so gonna chuck up some livecash at the casino tonight. assuming all games are incred, esp on the weekends?

cheers guys

went last night, lost some to some old drooler but confirmed games are incredible.

were you in the 5/10 game i saw was running last night?

Was sat night around like 10-12. was only like 5 players at the time, but amazingly soft! did you play it?

And ya it was the 5-10

Were you wearing some colts gear and a scarf?

The new Gemaco cards the room is using are terrible.

yea that was me. lol were you at the table with me?

oh btw can u exchange euros into usd at the casino at a reasonable rate? have a bunch of euros still and games are incred so planning on playing more, but lacking usd.

Yeah I was playing. Sorry I'm not sure about the exchange rate. I'd just call the poker room.

Cool, cheers. Who were you?

I think I was in the seven seat. I was just to the left of the guy with about 10k in pumpkins.

You guys know you can PM each other right ???

Kind of bad form to use this like an SMS conversation...

Any one know how much blackjack and poker dealers get paid? Some kat told me the other day that his girlfriend dealt blackjack part-time and just paid cash for a like-new mobile home in the best park in Columbus. That's at least 40k I bet.