How do these "halls" hold poker tournaments?

Iceman · May 14, 2007

I live in Michigan and have been seeing these advertisements on TV for hold em tournaments at these halls throughout town. Drove by another new one in my town today and the sign says EVERY WEEKEND.

How do they do it? I know the casino's in Detroit (about 60 miles south of me) had a to go through alot of hoops to get this off the ground.

This isnt a one time thing either with these halls as they advertise like bingo, once a week. I am pretty sure money is exchanged.

I think (and I maybe wrong) the house takes no cut. If this is the case what do they do just charge admission at the door or only sell concessions? Either way isnt this sort of gambling. I also assume there are no cash games.

Anyone know? Nice little racket if you can get this going. They must be legit as they openly advertise them.

ECS · May 14, 2007

are they for some sort of charity?

CapNWatch · May 14, 2007

That what it is in Illinois. They say it goes to charity....but who knows. The charity casino around here is shady as hell.

terps1313 · May 14, 2007

As long as a certain percentage goes to a charity of some kind, then it is legal.

BillyWaltersJr+ · May 14, 2007

Do you live in the U.P. of Michigan by any chance? I had a friend comment on the poker halls up there...

I will be moving to somewhere in the U.P. in a few years (probably north of Houghton if you know where that is). I've only been there once and only for a vacation and am planning to buy a few acres and build a house there. Beautiful region, especially during Winter.

maidenguy · May 15, 2007

Ice, where I live(MA), check out wmtpoker.com and it explains how they can run them.Click on ABOUT WMT POKER.

FairWarning · May 15, 2007

Intrinzik said:
Do you live in the U.P. of Michigan by any chance? I had a friend comment on the poker halls up there...

I will be moving to somewhere in the U.P. in a few years (probably north of Houghton if you know where that is). I've only been there once and only for a vacation and am planning to buy a few acres and build a house there. Beautiful region, especially during Winter.

Winter is 9 months in Houghton probably. I live 550 miles from Copper Harbor (the upper-most point in Mi) and would have to go through Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin to reach it.. Detroit is 600 miles away.

TheCooler · May 15, 2007

from my understanding....the house takes no cut. The benifit they get is that its usually held in a bar and they make their money off of drinks and buffet admission. If you have 50 guys buying beers and mixed drinks, it adds up so I guess its worth it....as longs as the house takes no cut, its legal