Texas Hold'Em Tournament This Weekend

[FKAGobucks877]

Thought I'd throw this out there if anyone is interested. This is some kind of a fundraiser for a little league team, but the guy throwing the tournament (Harry Stratton) throws these tournaments at least once or twice a month, and I've played in several of his tournaments before. There are typically between 150-180 players (the most ever was 187), and it's a $35 buy-in. Harry gives half to the charity (less his costs) and the other half goes to the winners. Usually an absolute minimum of the top 20 players are "in the money". There are no re-buys, although for $6 bucks you can play again (one-table tournaments) once you are knocked out. This is at the American Legion on Demorest on both Friday and Saturday nights, starting at 7:30. Note these are two separate tournaments, with a Friday night winner and a Saturday night winner. Let me know if you have any questions.

 

[ScarletInMyVeins]

Will there be euchre?

 

[mccoy178]

I saw there was another poker thread, so I knew I had to be in it! LOL. Anyways, I've played in that tourney a few times. The payouts kind of stink, but it is a great way to get some experience in tournament play for cheap and to have a fun evening. Another place in town that has tournaments every weekend is in Westerville. If you look in the charity events section of the Columbus Dispatch on Fridays, you will see it advertised. The games are Friday through Saturday, and the range of entry is $20 and up. I heard the payouts in these are real good.

FWIW, Here is what I know about legality of all this stuff. 1st, a charity event has to be held in a building that does not serve alcohol and something else(I'm a little maize on that subject). 2nd, the house is not allowed to rake any money.(i.e. All the money entered has to be redistributed). 3rd, private home games are legal as long as everyone was invited and there is no physical money on the table. Finally, there are some points I am missing here, but keep this in mind. If you are at a big tourney that gets busted, a) you probably won't get in trouble for being there, and b) the ticket for such a violation is $80. Knowing that made me feel comfortable going to tourneys since the penalty if it was illegal was minimal.

 

[Piney]

Since McCoy brought it up did some real quick research on the government's dime.

There is a wonderful site that has some good info http://www.ohiogaminglaw.com Here is the main paragraph that explains poker dealings...

Game of Chance
A "game of chance" is a poker, craps, roulette, or other game where the participant pays money in hope of gain, the outcome of which is largely determined by chance.

Generally, games of chance may only be conducted at festivals of charitable organizations that last for no longer than a period of four (4) consecutive days and are held not more than twice a year or for a period of five (5) consecutive days not more than once a year. Craps, roulette, and slot machines are not permitted at festivals. The game of chance must be conducted on the premises owned by the charitable organization or leased from a qualifying organization.

Organizations wishing to conduct a game of chance must also meet the following additional requirements:

1. the organization must have received a tax-exempt determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service stating that it is exempt from federal income taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code;
2. the organization must qualify as a "charitable organization" as defined in the Ohio Revised Code; and,
3. with the exception of a volunteer rescue service or firefighter's organization, the organization must have been in continuous existence for a period of not less than two years.

Also, like a "scheme of chance", no license is required for a qualified charitable organization to conduct games of chance.

Just some starter info for us to have fun and help BP at the same time. Of course I am not a lawyer but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.