Many poker players live too far away from a casino or other reputable poker establishment to play regularly. Poker's recent popularity has brought several local alternatives to a long drive and a smokey casino. Charity games, poker clubs, and even small-scale, prize-based tournaments can be found in nearly every city in the United States. However, these alternatives may not be as safe, or as worthwhile, as they may seem. Most are unlicensed for any gaming activity and operate in a gray, undefined area of the law, thus receiving little, if any lawful oversight or protection. Players should beware of tournaments that change the rules and the prize pools to the detriment of the player.
Poker has come a long way from the saloons and six-shooters of its past. But even today, people can be swindled and taken advantage of in seemingly reputable establishments. Everybody wants to cash in on poker's popularity, but be careful that you only play in places run by people you can trust. Even the smallest prizes and purses may be a false promise to lure customers in to buy drinks, covers, and entrance fees. Case in point:
College senior Lauren Kowtna used to be a weekly customer at Smokey Joe's bar, but now she vows never to return.
Kowtna is upset because Smokey Joe's owner Paul Ryan refuses to give her the iPod that was promised to the winner of a 10-week Texas Hold'em poker tournament last semester.
However, Ryan maintains that he only promised the iPod on the condition that the tournament was profitable.
According to Ryan, the free food coupons given away as weekly prizes actually cost him more money than he made off the tournament.
Before you enter a tournament, always check for any paper that might explain in detail the rules of the tournament. Hang on to the literature until the tournament is over and the prize has been awarded. Keeping something like that in writing helps to hedge your bets against bar-owners or poker club leadership who might decide to change the rules.