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Serious Home Game Question

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  1. Johnny Mojo Johnny Mojo is offline

    Las Vegas, NV
    United States

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    Jul 12th, 2007 (7/12/2007 12:23pm)

    If you were to host a home game in Illinois and only requested a cash donation for food (no rake) would you be breaking any laws? If there are any laws forbidding this, would it likely be a misdemeanor or a higher offense?

    I've searched the archives and found nothing on this, so please enlighten me.

    Peace
  2. H@BB@KUK H@BB@KUK is offline

    Columbia, MO
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    Jul 12th, 2007 (7/12/2007 12:29pm) in reply to Johnny Mojo

    just tell everyone to throw 5 bucks at you to order pizza and get some beer...you make it sound so extreme
  3. Camz Camz is offline

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    Jul 12th, 2007 (7/12/2007 12:33pm) in reply to H@BB@KUK

    b/c it is in some states.
  4. Ship Happens Ship Happens is offline

    Taylor, MI
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    Jul 12th, 2007 (7/12/2007 12:34pm) in reply to Camz

    The words serious and home game shouldnt come in the same sentence
    1
  5. H@BB@KUK H@BB@KUK is offline

    Columbia, MO
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    Jul 12th, 2007 (7/12/2007 12:35pm) in reply to Johnny Mojo

    it is if you have 100 people showing up...but im assuming he has 8 or 9 of his buddies coming over, which i doubt will get busted...how many people are you planning to have?
  6. sfstoner sfstoner is offline

    Missoula, MT
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    Jul 12th, 2007 (7/12/2007 12:36pm) in reply to Johnny Mojo

    At our home games, we always take it from the pot and let the top couple winners pay for it. However, if this isn't a group of buddies that might not be a viable option...
  7. Hell_Capitan Hell_Capitan is offline

    Evanston, IL
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    Jul 12th, 2007 (7/12/2007 12:44pm) in reply to Johnny Mojo

    I always prefer to just see who wants pizza and then order it and split the cost between those people. That way people who want to eat, get to eat, those that don't, don't have to pony up money for it.

    Also, I believe I read somewhere that no more than 4 people can profit from a home game tournament in Illinois, but that was a while ago, and I'm too lazy to look it up again.

    Also, is this a big tourney? A monthly thing? I'm in the Chicago area...wouldn't mind finding a regular tourney to play in once in a while.
  8. Johnny Mojo Johnny Mojo is offline

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    Jul 12th, 2007 (7/12/2007 2:58pm) in reply to sfstoner

    We're talking 9 or 10 players. Limit game, not tourney. Raking the pot is definitely not legal in home games, although almost all HG's do it.

    The key question is whether the game itself is legal or if playing with "friends" in a private home is legal.

    Peace
    Thread Starter
  9. EddieO EddieO is offline

    Tampa, FL
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    Jul 12th, 2007 (7/12/2007 2:59pm) in reply to Johnny Mojo

    How fast do you raise the blinds??
  10. floppycox floppycox is offline

    Romeoville, IL
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    Jul 12th, 2007 (7/12/2007 3:08pm) in reply to Johnny Mojo

    I would think it's not illegal to take donations for food and booze. I play in a game in IL where they do take a rake and i've played in games where they don't.
  11. lordxixor101 lordxixor101 is offline

    Westland, MI
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    Jul 12th, 2007 (7/12/2007 3:33pm) in reply to Johnny Mojo

    Isn't this really being overthought here. This is you and some buddies playing cards, I wouldn't overthink it. Do whatever you want. I really don't think the police are going to scout you out and take you down here. The only thing that would happen is it you guys party too loud, the police might tell you to call it a night (and that's only if the neighbors are complaining).

    The home games that get busted are rarely ever "home" games. They seem to have over 100 people, many of the people aren't "friends". Also, they are usually in the back of a store or some other large room.

    So, basically, if your playing with friends, who cares.
  12. sfstoner sfstoner is offline

    Missoula, MT
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    Jul 12th, 2007 (7/12/2007 3:52pm) in reply to Johnny Mojo

    I have never been in a HG where they took a rake from the pot. It's usually a bunch of guys smoking weed, popping pills, drinking beer, and watching sports...oh yeah, cards too. We play cash games and when the pizza guy comes we take $40 or whatever from the pot and give it to him. The two big winners pay for the pizza with their buddy's money. That is what I think of as a home game.

    To me, it sounds like you're setting up a small card room where you have a permanent dealer. The only time a dealer takes a rake in our home games is if she is topless and required a fee to begin with.

    Interested in hearing what you decide to do.
  13. Johnny Mojo Johnny Mojo is offline

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    Jul 12th, 2007 (7/12/2007 4:21pm) in reply to sfstoner

    I decided to come to your home game, lol.

    Peace
    Thread Starter
  14. sfstoner sfstoner is offline

    Missoula, MT
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    Jul 12th, 2007 (7/12/2007 4:27pm) in reply to Johnny Mojo

    LOL. Anytime you are out in the Bay Area and need a game outside of the shitty card rooms around the area, let me know. I live in Montana now but travel back at least once per month for business and still play with the same group of dudes, it's a great time.

    We'll be playing on Tuesday night while watching the ME Final table, should be fun!

    Vaporizor, here I come!
  15. pageh656 pageh656 is offline

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    Jul 12th, 2007 (7/12/2007 4:40pm) in reply to lordxixor101

    ya, just be like who wants pizza. get $. pay. not big deal
    home games that get busted r like bigger games either alot of ppl or when someone is runining it to make money off random ppl and raking out tha anus.

    that being said home games in tampa area or orlando area, since 2/5 is no longer at hard rock. let me know
     
  16. Johnny Mojo Johnny Mojo is offline

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    Jul 12th, 2007 (7/12/2007 6:16pm) in reply to floppycox

    Probably not good to take donations for booze, liquor laws can be pretty strict, i.e. Frat Parties get busted all the time for charging a cover.

    Peace
    Thread Starter
  17. Cabo Cabo is offline

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    Jul 12th, 2007 (7/12/2007 6:40pm) in reply to Johnny Mojo

    If this is a serious post the solution is very simple!

    Tell your boys to bring beer or whatever they drink and some food, done.
  18. P5zOwnz P5zOwnz is offline Disabled account

    Hilmar, CA
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    Jul 12th, 2007 (7/12/2007 6:42pm) in reply to Johnny Mojo

    In California home games are completely LEGAL no matter if it is 20 or 200 people as long as you hold it IN your house and there is no rake taken. Not sure about your state though.

    Donations for food are also legal here..... If for some reason you were raided, it would be a misdemeanor and not a felony.

    I'm going through a legal battle in court as we speak for my home game that was busted, so far it has cost me and 3 friends 9k to plead our case.

    Do some checking to cover your butt, what I'm going through could have been prevented if I did a little deeper research on the legality's.

    Good Luck sir!!
  19. computerb computerb is offline

    Nashville, TN
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    Jul 12th, 2007 (7/12/2007 6:42pm) in reply to Cabo

    Why not call the sheriffs office and ask them?
  20. Johnny Mojo Johnny Mojo is offline

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    Jul 12th, 2007 (7/12/2007 7:16pm) in reply to P5zOwnz

    A little confused, you said it's legal but you're in a legal battle? Was there something you left out?

    Peace
    Thread Starter
  21. floppycox floppycox is offline

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    Jul 12th, 2007 (7/12/2007 8:01pm) in reply to Johnny Mojo

    I meant if everyone threw in for liquor and food. Not like charging a cover or anything. What frat parties do you go to that get busted?
  22. P5zOwnz P5zOwnz is offline Disabled account

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    Jul 12th, 2007 (7/12/2007 8:45pm) in reply to Johnny Mojo

    What constitutes a Home/House/Dwelling/Residense in California is a really gray area of the law.

    Our citation was for playing poker in a shop/garage which they are considering a place of business.

    Our battle is the argument that we were playing cards in a detached garage, which is considered a Home.

    Any more ???, let me know!
  23. coachstove coachstove is offline

    Jackson, MO
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    Jul 12th, 2007 (7/12/2007 10:31pm) in reply to Johnny Mojo

    At our home game the host provides the food and beer, and then does not pay the buy-in. Obv. we play tournies.
  24. Johnny Mojo Johnny Mojo is offline

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    Jul 12th, 2007 (7/12/2007 10:42pm) in reply to P5zOwnz

    I see. Good Luck with your battle. Cool car btw..

    Peace
    Thread Starter
  25. Johnny Mojo Johnny Mojo is offline

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    Jul 13th, 2007 (7/13/2007 12:16am) in reply to Hell_Capitan

    I think Resorts in East Chicago has tourney's on thursdays and the w/e.

    My friends prefer limit, (cause I stink at it), I'm like you, give me tourney's!

    Peace
    Thread Starter
  26. Johnny Mojo Johnny Mojo is offline

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    Jul 13th, 2007 (7/13/2007 12:50am) in reply to floppycox

    Too old for frat parties, just read about 'em getting busted about every other week.

    Peace
    Thread Starter
  27. WiserPenny WiserPenny is offline

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    Jul 13th, 2007 (7/13/2007 12:56am) in reply to coachstove

    i think the suggestion about telling people to bring stuff is fine

    but to tell you the truth if you take cash when people show up and arent taking it out during play your probably ok... its when its rake every hand or you have a time drop type thing that it looks more like a rake to me

    but if you have a real anal cop you might get in trouble anyway......
    i've been to alot o HGs with rakes and never had a problem...
  28. confused30s confused30s is offline

    Daytona Beach, FL
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    Jul 13th, 2007 (7/13/2007 1:21am) in reply to Johnny Mojo

    I know of "games" in some states that charge $1000 for dinner and some booze. These players get $850 or $800 of chips worth "real money" or tournament chips. Whoever wins, wins (cash game or tourney); you can leave at any time at a cash game. No rebuys unless you buy another plate of food. You basically pay the house 150 or 200 for food (juice / rake / whatever you want to call it). The house does not profit directly from the game so this is legal in many states. You are basically selling over priced food and booze and offering poker as entertainment. I'm not sure about the laws in Illinois, and I'm too f-ed up to research it.

    I know they do this in Louisiana reguarly. I'm not sure how the dealer is compensated, but the "house" can not directly profit from the game, only the meal and booze if they have a liquor license. Selling overpriced food is not illegal anywhere as long as a restuarant / health dept license is valid.

    Find a lawyer to look into it, a restaurant owner that is interested, and you may have yourself a legal game. No rake, no direct profit from poker, and it is legal in many states. If a liquor license is not available, many states have BYOB/L provisions. Look into it. I apologize ahead of time for the inherent incoherence of this post - f-ed up, but some decent info if you can pick it out.

    Disclaimer: I'm hammered, but have some knowledge of this type of activity in the southeast US. PM me when I'm sober and I may be able to help you out. Car dealerships also offer "promotional" poker games after hours. End of typing for me tonight. .05/.10 NLHE hear I come!!!
  29. Johnny Mojo Johnny Mojo is offline

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    Jul 13th, 2007 (7/13/2007 1:57am) in reply to confused30s

    Your ideas are interesting, but they pertain more to a place of business, not a home. Thanks for your input.

    Peace
    Thread Starter
  30. EddieO EddieO is offline

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    Jul 13th, 2007 (7/13/2007 1:59am) in reply to computerb

    ^^^^^ yeah - and and you better call the feds too just to make sure.....

    Like i said before, it really all depends on how fast you raise the blinds
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