[Socrates]

I live in Texas as well (Austin specifically) and we've had 5 robberies since last November. Now these are full on bust through the door with guns, pistol whipping, strip down give us you dredit card robberies. I play at a club that has 3 rooms in town as of now and have never had a problem. Reasons:
1. We lock the door
2. Web based game sign up - you must be a referal and be accpeted.
3. No rake
4. APD officers play in our games more often then not
5. With larger buy in tournaments we have used an online transfer system such as paypal so there is no money on site (obviously agreed upon by all who enter)
6. No public advertising (this has been the issue with the other games)

Security has become a big concern for most hosts and I have seen the player numbers drop as well since the last robbery. I think its time to shut the doors and play with the regulars for a while until the popularity calms down - too many wanna be players run around talking about how they play here or there and we play these stakes etc...that also contributes to the problem. GL in finding a safe game, I know it can be difficult and finding the stakes you want isn't always that easy as well.