Let's let the process play out before we start jumping to conclusions.

I'm sure these other rooms that are still running have legal representation and if it was such a slam dunk case that you and some others believe it is, they wouldn't be continuing to operate.

https://twitter.com/CMONEYMAKER/stat...810223619?s=19

PokerGO is a "Gold Sponsor" of this Social Card Clubs of Texas lobbyist group, which is practically begging for support and soliciting donations from local players.

All this after Houston officials arrested nine individuals and publicly stated that they are collaborating with federal authorities to close the poker rooms and escalate the issue.

It's ironic since supposedly a lesson was learned NOT to be "passing the hat" around, bothering players for money after failed PPA/PA donation drive last year. But they just won't leave it alone. It doesn't matter what law enforcement or anyone else says to these people.

THEY NEED YOUR MONEY AND THEY NEED IT NOW!!! AND THEY DON'T GIVE A F*** if that means more arrests are made, more players get exposed to losing (at the very least) their funds in play, more dealers/staff get hustled into being spokespeople for these places just so they can get paid.



Like HOW T-F is a $250k guaranteed event (or the "Moneymaker Poker Series") supposed to help "get more card rooms legalized" in Texas? More like get as much money/personal info out of unsuspecting local players before law enforcement officials close more rooms (as they've stated they will).

There's just NO WAY Texas poker players should TRUST these clubs with all the public game integrity issues, participation by undercover officers, and other info that's out there.

EDIT: Here's a link to Texas Crime Stoppers for Texans who are tired of this sh** show and have anonymous information that could aid local/statewide authorities.

The $250k has $100 of the $250 buyin going towards the lobbying group. Are you unaware of how politics works? You have to bribe politicians. It's even worse in Texas. Whichever side has more money is going to win. Getting a lobbying group up and running is essential if we're going to regulate this and tax it the way it should be. Underground games are great for criminals and people who run games and don't want to pay taxes, but terrible for the players. I have no clue how anyone with half a brain thinks keeping things the way there were in Texas up until a few years ago thinks that's better than what we've currently got, which has provided a good amount of jobs and tax revenue, plus providing more security than you would otherwise find.

Do you seriously believe anyone on this website wants to help you or local authorities shut down poker clubs in Texas???

I'm just posting an opinion after seeing how lobbyist activities have played out in the online realm for past 15 years.

All the PPA ever did for online poker was siphon money/time out of the playing community, entangle it with law enforcement, and help create an inferior ring-fenced product in a few states that can't even compete with most unlicensed offshore sites.

When players complain about the result, the answer from lobbyist groups is typically to blame players for lack of support.

I think this SCCoT group is a database/donation hustle designed to keep its members funded in perpetuity and control the "regulated" rhetoric. Just like the PPA/PA was and is. And the same goes for the SIGH group or any other lobbyist activities that stir up controversy and trouble for poker players just so they can try to control a certain market.

There's just not enough money in peer-to-peer card games to support all these lobbyist activities imo. Leave players the f*** alone and stop begging for money imo. But as I've already pointed out, lobbyists don't give a f*** who gets hurt in the end, as long as they keep getting the money they need. Just my opinion.

For those wanting updated insight into how this is playing out in local media, here's a May 22nd/23rd investigative report from KHOU-11. It includes a number of short interview clips with local LE representatives, and with Anya Bidwell of the Institute for Justice.

https://www.khou.com/article/news/in...b-3517409134f8

FWIW there is video footage of at least one establishment that has slot machines, but to my understanding the poker rooms that are aligned w/SCCoT DON'T have anything to do with the slot machines that were shown? Someone can probably confirm.

IMO it's a fair piece with media/Ms. Bidwell troubleshooting the issue from the perspective of card rooms and getting some quotes from authorities.

BUT, the bad news for local poker players (imo) is that the Institute for Justice represents more for-hire social infrastructure that's (arguably) leeching off the business model, as it's yet another organization that solicits donations aside from SCCoT.

Here is a link to the EVENT DETAILS page for the $250k Gtd. that is currently taking place in both Austin and San Antonio (which were NOT part of the May 1st Houston/Harris County enforcement actions).

https://www.socialcardclubsoftexas.org/2019tpcs2/

QUESTIONS

1. The event is advertised as a $225+$75 ($300 total buy-in) tournament, but apparently 2,500 entrants are needed to reach the guarantee? Does this mean...?

- $100 to prize pool
- $125 to lobbyist funding
- $75 tournament commission/rake/fee
-----------
$300 total?

Or am I misunderstanding? Meaning that $225 goes into the actual prize pool and only $75 of each buy-in is going elsewhere? There's an optional $100 Add-on too, so I could def. by misunderstanding what goes into the actual prize pool.

2. The webpage says that the event is under "WSOP No Limit Hold ‘Em Tournament Rules," but also that "a Social Card Clubs of Texas Tournament Director will preside over all locations." What does this mean exactly? And what type of formal training/license/qualifications does said SCCoT Tournament Director possess?

3. Does anyone ITT have experience/expertise in the logistics of running "Day 1s" at more than one location? I ask b/c Austin and San Antonio are about an hour away from each other. What challenges do multiple Day 1 venues present, and have potential solutions been troubleshot by now or is this the first time having Day 1s spread out in such a way for Texas poker rooms?

4. It says "Prize pool includes sterling silver and diamond championship bracelet valued at $6,000." Does this mean the event is actually a $244k Gtd? Is the $6k bracelet valued at "retail" in this equation?

5. Even before entering the event, players MUST become a member of the corresponding card club (which is another cost?). If I'm understanding it correctly, if a player participated in "Day 1" via the Austin locale, he/she MUST subsequently become a member of the San Antonio venue as well before being allowed to play in Day 2? On top of a potential $5, per day "check in fee?"
---

Obv. no worries if no one feels like clarifying, as I could be completely off base. I have zero experience running poker events, so perhaps such questions would be better presented by someone who has the appropriate qualifications and knowledge.

-David

Money Laundering & ALL CHARGES have been dropped by DA.

Article

Yep, Prime reopening soon. All you out of town pros who came in town and camped out there better get your plane tickets ready

While the State charges have been dismissed and an Order entered to return funds, it does not close the book. Kim has indicated she was referring the matter to the feds.

I still hold to a position that the State codes were not violated. Federal could be a different matter but I have not looked at federal statutes to know what could or could not be proven with the facts that exist here...

That being said...I strongly believe that if Kim had truly believed a violation of State law existed, she would have turned the matter over to Paxton's office with a request for a Special Prosecutor to be appointed, which tends to be the usual course of business where a perceived conflict of interest was going to exist.

The Houston District Attorney is dropping the charges and returning the money. She is an attorney.

Latest update in this saga is that the civil cases are being abandoned...County Attorney's Office is trying to save face by asserting it does not clear the operators but that, since the nuisance suits rely on findings of criminal misdeeds and there is no prosecution, the civil cases cannot continue.

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/new...-14290468.php?