I continually hear the "playing is not illegal" arguement that is supposed to make us all feel better about playing. The truth of the matter is that if it is not illegal to play the game then the game is not illegal. Read that again to make sure you read it right. It sounds simple and it is but so many people don't get it (including the police - if the police continue to set an example but not arresting players then THEY are saying that the game is NOT illegal) Then hosting the game is not illegal. It is not illegal to host a legal activity. People seem to want to say this over and over that only the owners/operaters are breaking the law but that is similiar to saying only drug dealers are breaking the law. GAMBLING is illegal. The biggest point to get across to people is that POKER IS NOT GAMBLING, it is a game of skill just as bridge and other games have been determined to be games of skill in NYC and as poker has been deemed in other parts of the country and so owning a club is not illegal. The clubs have no interest in who wins - no extra value if you bet a billion dollars or 20 cents...the point of the club is to provide a safe place to play where a common set of rules is followed to avoid conflicts...