TEXAS HOLDEM ONLINE POKER

But that didn't dissuade the membership, nor the two Peoria brothers who organized the poker ring.

"I play poker every day but there's just nowhere in Peoria to play," said 21-year-old Ryan Heid, who, with his older brother, Brad, started the Peoria Poker League in September, which has continued to swell in popularity since.

By essentially posting the time and place for the poker events on the Internet as well as providing the cards, poker table and chips for the game, the brothers created a sort of newfound business. Bar and tavern owners pay the Poker League an "entertainment fee" to basically play cards, Heid said.

"Even after we told (players) we couldn't give out any prizes because it was illegal, 90 percent of them stayed on," Heid said, noting 30 to 50 players typically show up for the poker tournaments.

Local law enforcement officials say several bars and taverns have been warned in person or by letter that they could face penalties if illegal poker tournaments, often going by the names Texas HoldEm, seven-card stud and Omaha, continue.

Police have even visited Hoops Pizza & Pub in Downtown Peoria and an Elmwood tavern specifically to stop illegal poker tournaments while in play.

Despite the crackdown, Heid said the Peoria Poker League has managed to continue, even grow, without offering any prizes.

The League's Web site, www.peoriapokerleague.com, still displays photos of the past winners holding their apparent prizes.

Peoria County State's Attorney Kevin Lyons said he was aware of the Peoria Poker League, but wouldn't say whether their activities were illegal.

Heid said he's seen a copy of a letter sent out about a month ago by the Illinois Liquor Control Commission to several bars and taverns advising them of the law, but said he has never been personally contacted by anyone.

Illinois Liquor Control Commission spokeswoman Karen Faltin said it is perfectly legal to hold a poker game at a bar or tavern providing it is strictly for entertainment and that no money or prizes of any kind change hands.

"They can do that, but 99 percent of the time that's not what they're doing," Faltin said of the growing trend of the Texas HoldEm poker tournaments. "From what our investigators have found, there is some exchange of prizes," she said, otherwise "what's the incentive? I'm not saying all of them are doing that, but if (there's no chance to win something) why go at all, why not just play at home?"