LA Game busted!

[kodonnell]

Aw crap, I guess that means I'm a fellow outlaw.

[warewulf]

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Any other constructive, positive ideas? We are all smart people here.

Fight on!

Gabriel
213-280-8045 (Call me about my cash game, i take no rake)

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I'm still trying to get a hold of the host -- no reply yet. I also want to find out what happens when the people cited go to court. I know at least one will have a few things to say to the judge!

What night is your game? What limits?

[tubalkain]

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phone number + confession

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This should be a PM... that post could get cops attention.

[Jesus H]

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Let me be clearer: I'm don't doubt that your friend received a citation. However, the only way this could have happened is if the cops were looking for something else and stumbled into the poker game (as I wrote in my original post).

What's bull is the notion that LAPD is dispatching 10-person fully armed strike forces to execute misdemeanor warrants.

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To TipperDog, SlyGuy, and any others who think this story is BS... I'm one of the guys that got caught up in this bust. Warewulf is a friend, and I believe his intention in posting my story was to just give everyone a heads up. Not scare people into stopping their games.

Just know the people who come to your own game, or friends who can vouch for them. The LAPD DID come in with 8-10 officers (vice and uniformed) as there were 10 of us in that apartment. LAPD policy is likely "overwhelming force" as it is with most police departments. And they all had their weapons drawn. And if this story sounds outrageous, imagine how I felt, having a f*cking shotgun aimed at my head for 10 minutes while they "secured" the place. Why would they spend the kind of resources doing what they did that night, which included an undercover cop playing with us? Who the f*ck knows. I certainly think it's a waste of time and money, given all the real crime going on in this city.

I have since spoken with my LA City Councilmember, and will follow up to see if there is interest on his behalf in seeing this Municipal Ordinance changed. I have also spoken with Mayor Hahn's office, though they're in a tough election battle and he could lose, so I don't expect anything to happen there.

I today spoke with one of the arresting LAPD officers. I wanted to know why this game was targeted, and if they were there for other reasons, such as drugs, etc. Whether he was being straight with me or not, he said there were only there for the gambling, and only because someone complained. I asked if it was a neighbor complaining or a past player. He wouldn't reveal that (for obvious reasons). He also said (true or not) that they don't spend their time tracking down poker games to bust them. I suppose if this is true, there'd be no reason for him to lie to me about it. So it just may have been a matter of wrong place, wrong time for me.

So that's the story. I think it's a great idea for those here who would like to see LA City law changed. But it will take effort and lobbying your City Councilmember. Of the 15 or 16 Councilmembers, I think it would take a simple majority to change this law. You can start by getting your Councilmember on the phone. Let their office know when you call that you're his/her constituent. At the very least, you'll be able to speak with one of his/her deputies in the office, which is a start. If you're willing to spend a little time doing this, good luck. And maybe post your results at this forum to inspire others to lobby their Councilmembers.

I remember in the not too recent past, the city almost passed an ordinance against lap dances in strip clubs. (Or maybe they did.) But enough residents stood up against it to stop it or overturn it.

[warewulf]

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Warewulf is a friend, and I believe his intention in posting my story was to just give everyone a heads up. Not scare people into stopping their games.



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Exactly! It sounds like a few things were 'off' with this game. First of all, taking a rake at a home game is just plain wrong! I understand the guy was supplying food, but there should not have been a rake. I do wonder if someone really complained, and if so, who it was? A player? Maybe a neighbor? Who knows. All I know is that I'm know keeping the windows closed at my game so no neighbors will complain.

I think what we need to focus on is being careful. If people are advertising their games on the internet, taking a rake, and then not even playing in the game themself, they are asking for trouble. It's kind of like speeding on the freeway. If you're just speeding, you're not as likely to get pulled over. If you're doing other things that are dangerous and calling attention to yourself, you're going to get pulled over.

I think the message the police are sending is to take Poker back underground. It is illegal and I don't think going to politicians is going to accomplish anything. There's no way they're going to legalize gambling. The local casinos would never let that happen. We just need to keep quiet about our games and screen those who want to play.

[Jesus H]

Warewulf,
I'm not talking about trying to get gambling legalized in LA, of course that won't happen. But getting the city ordinance changed to fall into line with State law -- where home poker games with only players profiting from each other are legal -- is achievable. If there was a time to do it, it's now....

City Councilmembers are much more accesible than officials from higher offices I've found.

[warewulf]

Talk to you tonight about this.

How about a modified sit in at city hall? We'll have a sit in {go} Poker tournament.

[tpir90036]

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420....is not just a west coast thing...its the worldwide number to represent weed....it came about from this being Bob Marley's birthday ( april 20th )....also known as the weed smokers holiday.

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you would think people might actually know how to use the internet to look stuff like this up these days

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/420_%28drug_culture%29

[Ringo_Mojo]

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I today spoke with one of the arresting LAPD officers. I wanted to know why this game was targeted, and if they were there for other reasons, such as drugs, etc. Whether he was being straight with me or not, he said there were only there for the gambling, and only because someone complained. I asked if it was a neighbor complaining or a past player. He wouldn't reveal that (for obvious reasons). He also said (true or not) that they don't spend their time tracking down poker games to bust them. I suppose if this is true, there'd be no reason for him to lie to me about it. So it just may have been a matter of wrong place, wrong time for me.


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This sounds about right, the police usually don't want to waste their time with these types of things but if somebody complains they're obliged to investigate and take action.

[Lovemywig]

I'm interested to know more about the LAPD busting this game. I'm doing a documentary. Can you post the name of the officer, or anyone involved in the game, or send me a private message, or email it to yesyoulookfatinthat@yahoo.com confidentiality guaranteed. thanks.