A hush falls over the poker table set up in this kitchen in a
typical Baxter home. One of the players goes all in, sliding his small
stack of chips to the center of the pot. The only other player left in the
game sneaks one final peak at his cards, maybe hoping they improved since
the flop, maybe because he can't believe he already bet so much that he
can't back out now.
He calls the bet.
The table erupts as they reveal their hands to determine the winner.
It is just another hand of Texas HoldEm, one of the most popular games to
hit the country.
The appeal and interest is evident if television is any indication.
Viewers can watch the World Series of Poker on ESPN, Celebrity Poker
Showdown on Bravo and World Poker Tour on the Travel Channel.
While it is hard to pin down exactly how much money is wagered on HoldEm
and gambling in general in Minnesota in a single year, Gov. Tim Pawlenty
has pushed for American Indian casinos in Minnesota to contribute $350
million of their profits each year to the state's coffers. And that does
not even include friendly card games among friends that have come to be a
weekend ritual for many people.
According to CBS, Poker accessories were among this holiday season's
bestsellers and the business of Poker is up 100 percent from last year.
Former World Series of Poker champion Brad Dougherty, who launched a Poker
school online, also is proposing Poker courses with Columbia, Carnegie
Melon and Stanford to add Poker 101 to the elective college curriculum.
It is legal
Many people are concerned whether playing poker with their friends is
legal. It is, thanks to a private and social betting provision in state
law.
"If you play in your buddy's house, you don't have to play in the basement
and cover the windows with black tape because it's perfectly legal," said
Frank Ball, former Brainerd police chief and the current director of the
state's Department of Public Safety's Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement
Division. "Now, if you start bringing in moonshine, call girls and
underage consumption, you might start having some problems with the
Brainerd Police Department."
Problems arise, however, when a third party becomes involved in the game
and attempts to make a profit. The only place in Minnesota allowed to host
HoldEm as a third party outside of American Indian casinos is Canterbury
Park. Any other private person attempting to make money off these
tournaments is breaking the law and risks prosecution.
"We are the gatekeepers of that and we are deluged with calls requesting
permission to hold the tournaments and they can't," Ball said.
While some people may claim to know all of the secrets to winning at Texas
HoldEm, it is still considered a gamble by the state of Minnesota.
"This game isn't about skill so much as it's about bluffing," Ball said.
"That's why the kids love it so much. It's difficult to count cards, but
it's easy to bluff."
'I know where they are'
While parents may not be thrilled about their children gambling with
friends, there are benefits. The games are generally played at a parent's
house, so it is supervised.
Another advantage is games generally involve around a $20 buy-in and are
played until one person wins all the chips. This way, players cannot
usually lose more money than they can afford.
"It's probably not the first choice I'd like to have the kids doing," said
Pete Mohs, of Baxter. "But at least on weekends I know where they are --
at somebody's house. I'm just concerned that it doesn't get out of hand."
Pete Mohs' son, Jordan, is a Central Lakes College student who revels in
the opportunity to play Texas HoldEm with friends. He also played in
tournaments at Northern Lights Casino in Walker, taking second place the
first time he tried it and winning $515.
"I think at the casino
it's more competitive," Jordan Mohs said. "Here it's more laid back. It's
more fun to play with friends because you can talk about what you folded."
And that is one of the most important aspects of the small, social games
-- socialization. Rather than spending money on other forms of
entertainment, it is an outlet that provides camaraderie and even a chance
to make money.
Players in regular games talk about the worst beats they had along with
some of the peculiar traits of their regulars. One player always knows the
odds of a hand winning given any combination of cards at any state of the
game. And he invariably seems to lose. Another player scratches his ear at
crucial points in the game.
"I wear the dollar sign necklace," Jordan Mohs said.
It makes for a fun gathering of poking fun at friends and emulating some
of the top-name players they see on television.
"I'd rather play poker with my friends than go to the movies," D.J.
Boelter, a Brainerd High School senior, said.
Places to play
Yahoo's Web site at www.yahoo.com offers free Texas Hold 'Em, complete
with tables at varying skill levels and a fake bankroll to get players
started.
Grand Casino Mille Lacs has a poker room featuring eight tables. The
most popular game is Texas Hold 'Em, with table limits starting at $2
and $4 and topping out at $30 and $60.
Northern Lights Casino in Walker has a poker room featuring five
tables. The most popular game is Texas Hold 'Em, with table limits
starting at $2 and $4 and topping out at $5 and $10.
Party Poker's Web site at www.partypoker.com allows users to play for
free or for money.
Tips from players
Frank Ball, former Brainerd police chief and current director of the
alcohol and gambling division: "It's all in the eyes. Watch the pupils
of the eyes."
Jordan Mohs, Central Lakes College student: "Don't look at the flop,
look at their eyes when they see the flop to get their reaction."
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A virtual bluff?
The proliferation of Texas HoldEm has sparked an increase of Web sites
that provide 24-hour access to poker games. Those, coupled with sports
bookmaking services, have made the Internet a gambler's paradise.
"The No. 2 most popular event on the Internet is high stakes wagering,"
Ball said.
Interestingly, many younger players dislike playing on the Internet. For
Boelter, it is because he can't read his opponents' reaction to certain
cards, which is an important aspects of the game for many players.
"I don't know why you'd want to do it when you can't see the people,"
Boelter said.
For Jordan Mohs, it also is because he cannot see his opponent, but for a
different reason. He questions the integrity of the companies running the
online services.
"I don't trust it," he said.
Always an open table
Locally, the number of people who are attending Gamblers Anonymous
meetings has gone up in recent years, according to Scott Barker of
Brainerd, the local contact for the group. He said the group usually sees
about 6-10 people at meetings, an increase from the past.
"It's gone up," Barker said. "A few years ago, we were lucky if we had
4-5, so it's definitely gone up."
Part of that can be attributed to the increased popularity and visibility
of the games on television and easy access to online games for money. But
while the games may change, the problems are still the same.
"Gambling is gambling, really," Barker said. "Texas
HoldEm poker, to me, it's more addicting than a slot machine. HoldEm poker
or Blackjack, you're playing against a whole table and if you win against
the table, that gives you more of a rush than a slot machine for a problem
gambler."
Barker said he plays Texas HoldEm on Yahoo's Web site, but not for money.
He estimates more people get into trouble playing online for money than
those who play with friends for a modest buy-in amount.
"Yahoo is one of the free ones, but there are a lot of other places online
where you can buy in," he said. "I have heard a lot of people go there and
they lose a lot of money."
Keeping it fun
But the small, local games among friends remain at the top of the list for
gambling entertainment. Not only are the games a good chance to get
together with friends, it is a relatively inexpensive way to be
entertained.
"You talk about these guys that lose a lot of money," John Fraki, a
Concordia College student, said. "I could never do that."
Still, parents are concerned that the games can escalate into something
more than just an inexpensive way to test one's luck and skills.
"I know there are kids who have lost a lot of money," Pete Mohs said.
"That's why I keep telling these guys, 'Watch what you're playing for.' As
long as it doesn't get out of hand."
The small buddy games are the best way to ensure that the games remain
friendly, with simple wagers among friends.
"You're not playing with friends to make a living," Jordan Mohs said.
