Poker ruled a Game of Chance

From the Raleigh N&O - May 23, 2005:
"A North Carolina judge ruled earlier this week that poker is not a game of skill, as its supporters claimed, but rather, it is a game of chance, and thus illegal. The court's decision related to a lawsuit filed by a fledgling Durham poker club against former District Attorney Jim Hardin Jr., who claimed that poker wagering violates the law. The Joker Club planned to open their own poker establishment, and even began leasing a building in November. The club would have been operated for profit, with the club retaining a percentage of the wagers. "Although Superior Court Judge Orlando Hudson said that gambling laws, which date back to the 19th century, are ambiguous and possibly outdated, he said that he still had issue his decision according to the existing legislation. According to North Carolina law, betting is illegal in games having a predominant element of chance. The Joker Club and its lawyers attempted to prove that poker was more a skill than a game of chance. Judge Hudson, however, failed to see matters their way and decided that poker is too heavily influenced by chance to be considered a skill game."
Complete article at http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/2437150p-8841760c.html

Cherokee's ask for permission to add Live Poker and more

"The draft of changes was sent to Gov. Mike Easley in early March after the tribe's chief, Michell Hicks, met with Easley. Hicks said in a letter that he would like to conclude the issue by July.A month earlier, Hicks made a similar request for a change in the compact -- one focused on allowing the tribe to offer table games such as roulette, craps, live blackjack and live poker. As it is now, the tribe can offer only video-based games."
http://www.ncrumors.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=376

The Poker Prof throws a great freeroll

While I'm on a trip to California, I get a chance to play in the Poker Prof's frist every free roll poker tournament. What a hoot! The first prize was only $50 or so, but everyone played very seriously. Even after we got down to the final 15 and in the money, no mad rush set in. These people really wanted to win.
Part of having a good time is playing well. I did OK, but I could just tell that I was out classed. I caught some lucky breaks and even held the chip lead a couple of times, but my lack of experience caught up with me. I really don't play well with a chip lead. Talk about lack of experience!!!
In any case, I finished 10 out of 193, made the final table and pocketed $5 for my trouble. I can learn a lot by playing with this group. They are running a WSOP sat in the next few days. How can I resist.
Dr. Pauly, Poker Prof, Maudie, and several other names I recognized, it was great meeting you. See you again soon.
CKPony ... aka ... Special K
UPDATE: Dr. Pauly as a great rundown on the whole event at http://taopoker.blogspot.com

Slug

Boy, have I been a slug about updating this blog. Normally, that would be because nothing has be going on, but that is not the case. If anything, too much has been happining. I'll have to post a rundown on our recent trip to Florida for hang gliding and baseball games. It was a great trip and I got a few good pictures along the way. But I can't right now. I've got to get back to work. It will happing soon, for sure.
I'll also have to post my trip to the poker rooms of Nevada and California, but I just got to CA yesterday and work must come first.