New York/New Jersey 18+ cardrooms?

[KaptainKangoroo]

I will be traveling to New Jersey soon and also a couple of days in NY City, and was wondering if there were any cardrooms around this area, i'm sure there are plenty, but that allow people under the age of 21 to play? I am only 19, and Would LOVE to try a cardroom out. I'm new to the area, so if anyone knows of a place, could the send me some details on where to find the place, and how to get in? I'm also looking for some low limits, I am a poor college student with a weak bankroll. Would be greatly appreciated any help anyone could give me.

[Mike Gallo]

They consider the legal gambling age in NJ 21 years old.

If you do not have fake identification, you might not find a legal game.

[Copernicus]

I only know of one cardroom in NY/NJ outside of the casinos, and thats www.roundersnj.com (http://www.roundersnj.com) You have to pay a membership fee and that probably knocks it out of your budget anyway.

The site may specify age, but if unstated I'm sure it would be 21.

Are you in a fraternity? How about looking for local chapter houses and finding out if they have a floating game or can refer you to one?

[Aces McGee]

The site specifies that you must be at least 18 to play there.

There is a membership of $55, paid once your application is approved.

Aces McGee

[Scottnyce]

does anyone play there on this site?

what is the best way to become eligible to play?

[karlson]

I played there for a while this summer when I lived in NJ.

It is indeed 18 to play, and $55 to join.

The games were pretty good, the dealers surprisingly good for such a small room. The only problem was that they usually would have only 2-3 tables going, and they were reluctant to start new games because they constantly were running out of dealers.

I mostly played the 10-20, which was usually quite good. There's a 20-40 once a week which is even better.

Overall quite a friendly place. They even serve an edible dinner.

Oh, and the "application" was approved when the guy looked at my drivers' license. I don't think anyone gets denied.

[UTG_1]

I've played at Rounders five or six times over the previous year. I found it to be a very comfortable place to play at their middle limit games. I made it a point regardless of what limits they had, to not play at the highest limit they were spreading on any given day as it always seemed that their regulars dominated these games. You can get their number off the website, as I always called ahead to find out what games and what limits they were spreading that night. I'm not sure, but I think that 18+ is O.K. there.

[Scottnyce]

I'm curious about this room...is it legal? How does that work? Are the laws in NJ similiar to the ones in California regarding poker?

Any info would be great.

[Copernicus]

I can't imagine it is truly legal. The membership fee is probably an attempt to look legal as a "private club", and to be prosecuted games at other members only facilities (eg country clubs) would have to be shut down too, under selective prosecution doctrine. (Or a few $ to Tony Soprano for protection keeps the local police at bay).

[UTG_1]

I'm pretty sure it is legal as it is not underground.

It always has advertisements running on Poker Pages and I'm pretty sure that it has even been advertised for in print.

Each time I have driven there, I have needed to drive through a very residential area to get to the building where the club is at. If it was not on the up and up, then I'm sure that this adjacent family neighborhood would have it shut down quicker than you could have your AA cracked by a field of crazy callers.

I'm actually wondering why I never asked when I was there, how they are able to operate, but then again, it never really mattered to me, as I figured that they bore the risk and not I.

The easiest way to really find out the story is to just call them up yourself. Below is the address and contact info as listed on pokerpages.com

Main Phone: 732 271 0003

140 Baekeland Avenue
Middlesex, NJ 08846
United States

[Scottnyce]

thanks for the info i plan to check it out one night next week.

[Copernicus]

I would almost guarantee they wont tell you. If it is legal they spent a ton of money getting legal opinions to that effect. NJ has some of the tightest gambling laws in the country (you cant even win money in a fantasy sports pool as a resident of nj), and if they found a loophole they arent about to give it away and make it easy for competitors to set up shop.

They didnt exactly spend a fortune on the place. So close to NY if it was legal they would make it look like Commerce.

Again, my guess is they are taking their chances on the basis of selective prosecution.

[camp43]

I think the legal gambling age in NJ is 18, not 21. You can buy lottery tickets here with no problem at 18. The reason the casino's say 21 I'm pretty sure has to do with the free liquor as opposed to the gambling.

[Scottnyce]

Rounders.....according to the website it is closed for "legal Verification reasons" anybody know anyhting about this? I just joined last week and played there once....is this common for these type of places to close down for a little while then get back and running?

Any info would be great....should I not hold my breathe for this place to be back anytime soon.....?

[RollaJ]

Buh Bye $55?

[Scottnyce]

yeah the $55 is annoying but i'm more upset that i don't have a place to play live whenever I want....

amazing....a member for one week. what can you do i guess....