Underground Poker Houston
You will also avoid the dangers of illegal and costly underground games in the Houston area. We engage local poker players to join us in a public forum. We plan weekly tournaments and have daily cash games. Kings & Cards is the first of its kind in the city of Houston. How is it Legal? We abide by all statutes of the Texas Penal Code. HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) - Appearing in two different groups, seven of the nine charged with an elaborate money laundering scheme tied to two poker rooms appeared before a judge on Thursday. Underground poker room. Even a poker room in Houston with swipe cards for members/players to enter the premises and hired security could not keep the police from getting in to play.
FBI, County Sheriff, Local Police Raid Houston Underground Game
With limited factcheck, we do have a little more poker-minded info to go on beyond the hedline and the TV news report:
14 arrested — “at least,” authorities say — presumably to be charged with traffic-ticket offenses. Though you never know with Harris County … they’d be up for Class A capital punishment there, I suspect, if that dang constitution didn’t get in the dern way.
Not clear on what the FBI’s involvement was here. The Feds generally haven’t gotten involved in these sorts of local raids throughout Texas. And in general this raid seems a bit peculiar as there supposedly hasn’t been any sort of crackdown for a few years, a Houston player tells us.
Some basic info about what was known as the I-45 South game:
It’s a very large game that’s been running for many years. They have $2,000 freerolls every night. Games running from 1/3 NL up to 5/10 on a regular basis.
Also a bit odd/lame … commentors in this news report seem intent on naming names and tattling on other games that may or may not be involved in the Houston poker underground but have yet to be raided. Cool raw video footage though, if you want a closer glimpse of handcuffed players.