If you can't legally play poker in your neighborhood (or can't get enough friends together for a quiet little home game), and it's too far to drive to the nearest casino, then start a semi-annual poker tournament for charity. If you live near a college campus, you'll have plenty of access to potential players and nearly free advertising since it's for charity.
The Celebrity Poker Showdown already does it, just on a much larger scale. Why not start your own and benefit some local organizations that directly impact your community?
First, select your charity. The Boys and Girls Club, Meals on Wheels, the local Literacy Campaign, the Salvation Army, a soup kitchen, a women's shelter, or a coat-collecting agency: all would be acceptable and thankful for any help.
Second, advertise your tournament. Local and college newspapers are usually willing to do a full write-up for a charity organization, which is free advertisement for you. Local radio stations will somtimes run public service announcements twice an hour. At worst, run a quick-and-dirty classified ad for a couple of days.
Third, print out some funny-money. There's no need to spend cash on chips, especially since paper won't be missed if it's lost or torn.
Finally, borrow the student union, the local civic center, or even patio tables at the park for a day. Many civic organizations or community centers will lend their facilities for a good cause, especially if they get their name on the program. Set a low buy-in ($5 is respectable amount) and allow rebuys up to a certain point (like after the first five hours) so the charity has the potential of netting a greater donation and you don't wind up having an all night tournament with your players falling asleep.
Be sure to put your rules in writing and post them visibly, so there's no confusion or squabbling.
Your turn-out doesn't have to be outstanding to have a lot of fun and feel like you made the most of an enjoyable time for a good cause. If you want to sweeten the pot, have a small prize for first place, but no extra money need be spent (these can be donated by the host organization or see if a local Girl Scout Troop would be willing to bake snacks for a badge project). People are usually happy enough to be the town's poker champion (offical since who else has tournaments like yours?).
All it takes is a little footwork and getting other people to help where they can.
And if you care about that sort of thing, it's a great resume builder to have organized a community service project of this size. Plus, there are no age limits. Invite Boy Scout Troops and sororities and your local Lion's Club to play.
Have fun :)