agreed...i only posted because of the inaccurate info in the previous post

I wish all (but one) the best of luck and will refer anyone to play - I am in contact with several that are open (6 have opened other than my first one in houston but they did not have the following to sustain) - this is the key to running these games - you have to have a massive following and be known in the industry as someone that is well known and reliable.

Great idea FloppyHero! (AKA new account with first post in this thread - Clive)

If you think poker players are hypocrites for criticizing someone for being a thief...well let's just say I probably don't think too much of you, nor are you likely very intelligent...

Not sure I follow your logic here. If it's a good idea, it's a good idea. Who cares where it originates from? If clive's incentives and my incentives align, what's the big deal?

I get that people love picking sides, but this isn't clive vs. Michael Eakman. This thread has always and should always be about me + future potential targets getting scammed. That's why it's called HOUSTON new "poker club" Mint Poker, RUN BY SCAMMER (?) Michael Eakman

Then Clive should have the balls to post under his screen name. No need to post under a new account name.

While I cant be 100% sure i am pretty confident they are different people and would appreciate the end of that speculation in thread. If you have any solid evidence, PM me.

Anyone been to this place yet?

Pretty sure "bigruk" has been yearning for that $10k jus as much..

You are either the owner or a ****** idiot. Would you let your children be babysat by a convicted child molester? Eakmon is a scammer who hasn't paid back the person he scammed. What makes you think he won't do it again?

this is my only account on here...and has never changed
I have always posted using this name as a pun on my name and never changed it....

whoever the other account you think it is...it aint me...

the floppy hero post is a good one that i have not thought of but that type of action has to be from bigruk and not me - i have offered to fly him in if i thought it would do any good..this actually would have been a great way for mr eakman to set the record straight..

I am currently collecting as many other names that have been wronged to show a pattern for 1 claim is indeed not enough to show a pattern...i was hoping that others would come forward and we could get a collective judgment against the owner.

I played at Lone Star Card House last night in Conroe.from what I have read and thier websites looks like a similar setup to the Mint room. I paid $25 total and played for 5 hours haven't done that in Houston in a while.

Are there any more of these clubs besides these 2?

I know of at least 2 clubs that have run 10 yrs and the one in austin has run for 2 1/2 yrs

There is a loop hole in the law that allows this to be legal - the owner of Texas Card House formally served in the texas legislature and discovered it. They were "raided" on their opening night - their lawyer was present and at first the marshalls were going to take all the equipment but the lawyer put a stop it it - they owners then appeared in court (i believe a month later and the judge ruled in their favor.

My first rake free club operated for 1 year (dissolved as discussed before) and we never had an issue either.

Robbery is a risk in any business but I think that a club - that hires veterans - they might have better luck at a cop bar...lol

If it is not legal...all it will take is one notice - one "knock on the door" to tell us and I will 100% comply.

Btw..thank you for coming forward and saying you are not me...I will also say for the record we are not John Malchovich either...lol

Wilco Sherriff stopped by the chisolm trail card club yesterday an hour into their grand opening to wish them luck and let them know to stay in touch if they needed any support.

These rooms are a good thing for everyone but the underground game runners.

thumbs up

Time for a game of "Confirm or Deny"

The rooms here say they have a no-tip policy - we as poker players love to tip and have no problem with it and I and many others will find ways to overcome this due to good service.

Here is the question - According to a reliable source - any tips (there is a tip jar for each dealer) received from one of the rooms - the dealer gets 20% and is included in their paycheck (taxed). The owner gets the rest (doubt that is reported).

CONFIRM OR DENY.....

Michael Eakman does not equal Howard Lederer. Eakman is far scummier.

"Acting in your own self interest" in this case would be practicing extreme caution and avoiding the inevitable. Michael Eakman has a history of running tournaments with fake prize pools. It's only a matter of time before he advertises a big guarantee, doesn't get enough runners, then doesn't pay the winner. He's done it multiple times. He also advertises celebrity guests at events that aren't ever going to show, but makes sure to include fine print that says the celebrity may be swapped out with a different (obv C-list) celebrity. He is openly and routinely scummy. Your analogy falls a little short.

If you plan on avoiding this by sticking to cash games, do not trust this man with any more than you're willing to lose that night. Don't pay in advance for memberships because there is a high likelihood that you won't be refunded for the additional months you paid for when his club eventually goes bust. Use common sense.

Common sense should also tell you that I don't really have a horse in this race. If anything, I should want Eakman's club to be successful since Eakman making $ increases my chances of getting paid. Right now I'm pretty neutral on the whole thing. Part of me is hoping for a successful club, while an equal part is hoping for it to end with Eakman in handcuffs.

there are several in houston already from what ive seen.

in austin there is the original texas card house south but they are also opening a north austin location this month in addition to throne and chisholm trail card house both already up and running in n austin.

interested to see how this plays out all over the state.

Lone Star Card House in Conroe looks good on Yelp. Nicer looking than Mint imo. One of the reviews also says that security escorted them to their vehicle, which is nice. Also looks like it has cameras above the tables, which is good and surprising. The two most imporant things about these places are 1. Safety. Don't want to get robbed or swindled by someone in or outside of the card room. 2. Legality. Although unlikely, I can't help but feel a little concerned that there's always the chance the police raid one of these places and arrest everyone. Two five star reviews so far. Only open thursday, friday, and saturday, though. They also seem to have online scheduling and sign ups on their website.

Someone keeps deleting the Mint Poker Room Yelp reviews. It used to have 4 and now it's down to 1.

Now I am seeing that there's also the Awesome Poker Club coming in June. Why are all of these popping up all of the sudden?

Because texas card house and San Antonio's room have been operating for several years now and people are copying the model.

Sheriff stopped by Chisholm trails room on opening day to say hello and keep on touch of they needed support. Thought that was awesome.

Chisholm has cameras above each table. Tch does too I believe. Security amd safe feel most important agreed.

Agreed. That was a great move by him that no doubt made people feel better.

I wonder what all it actually takes to open one of these from a legality perspective? Are there lots of hoops to jump through? Seems like every mid to Large size town in Texas needs one of these.

I played at Lonestar on Saturday. It was strange not having a rake and not being able to tip. Owners seemed nice and kept reiterating that this is "the players room" so they seem like they will be a player friendly room. I guess I need to give them a review on yelp lol

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How much did you have to pay at Lone Star? I see they have a $25 all day long deal? Is that true? You just pay $25 for unlimited play? How many people were there?

It was Sheriff Chody? That's pretty impressive, he's quite conservative, definitely good news if so. I live about a mile from this place, so should be stopping in before too long.

I didn't speak with him just saw him and one of the Chisholm owners came over to cash game to say what was said. Said they had just stopped by to say hello and wish them luck and let them know how to be in touch if they needed them. Very cool indeed.

Talked with the owners of Chisholm for a while after playing and they seem great and are wanting to do what it takes to provide a great venue.

I am sure it is just a limited time special but I played from 7pm till midnight for $25. The $100 Tournament had 10 players and 2 re-entry's. The cash game started with 7 and we stopped at midnight when we got 3 handed.

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