home games

quick question: I just moved to illinois and am thinking about hosting a house game. If there is no rake, no "house" making a profit, is there anything illegal about this? I have a court date coming up for a minor offense, but basically until the trial I have to be on my best behaviour... if there is any question about the legality of participating in/hosting a friendly card game please clue me in /images/smile.gif


Thanks All,

RobB

i don't think that it is if you have no rake, but im not sure. id love to play though. im in the south burbs of chicago. let me know.

In Illinois, even non-raked home games are illegal, regardless of the stakes. Poker meets the definition of the crime of "Gambling", and carries the same penalties as battery and DUI. As a practical matter, this is not enforced. I played at my house with a prosecuting attorney two weeks ago. I suppose that very high stakes games may draw attention, though.


The last I knew, home poker was legal in Wisconsin, so long as there was no rake, and other states may have similar laws, but Illinois has lagged behind in applying a common sense approach to poker.

interesting. its too bad our lawmakers don't have a clue regarding this. but if its not really enforced, i guess its not really a law...

...especially when the judges and cops play themselves.


-á

The laws are completely state enforced. For example, New Jeresey allows a poker game of any stakes so long as the "house" does not collect. However in neighboring Pennsylvania, poker is outright illegal.


I did take it upon myself to call the local police department anonymously asking about wagering in a card game. The officer's response was "No one is gonna bother you."


Two years later, the game is up to twice a week and growing...with a vig. Have fun!!!


-á

robB,


Other thing is to make the game safe. If you play 10-20 or higher, people will bring a lot money. Make sure the door is locked.


Soh

Couple weeks ago a 15-30 home game in or near Aurora got held up for something like 30k. I wasn't there, but talked w/ a couple of the players, including the host. Glad we got casinos. BTW, host called police, and while they may not catch the crooks, they are trying; and no one in the game, including the host was issued any type of citation.