Potential exists for problems with poker rules

Canada -- The provincial government played its cards close to its chest for a long time, but recently, it finally revealed the terms and conditions under which legal poker tournaments could be held to benefit charities.

The move is about as timely as skinny leather ties and rugby pants. The Texas Hold 'Em poker craze has been going strong for years, and there's been a lot of interest in holding such legally sanctioned events in the capital region.

While the province is late getting to the table, the rules are here, and now interested parties have a legal framework in which they can operate tournaments.

The new rules are:

* Only 35 per cent of tournament profits can go to the prize pool.

* The maximum buy-in for a tournament is $100.

* No more than 200 players per tournament.

* Players and observers must be at least 19 years old.

* The biggest single prize can't exceed $3,000.

* No more than 20 per cent of the buy-in revenue can be used for expenses such as cards, tables, chips and dealers.

* A licence is required to run such a tournament.

* The non-refundable cost to apply for a licence is $25, and the actual licence costs another $25.

The rules are fairly simple and straightforward, which leaves us wondering why it took so long for the province to reveal the scheme.

We also wonder how much research went into arriving at these rules.

Perhaps this framework for legal charity tournaments will suit its purpose, but we have concerns that it might not. If that's the case, the province may have created more problems in an effort to address one.

Given the popularity of Texas Hold 'Em, there are no doubt countless friendly home games that needn't fall under these rules.

However, there are bound to be many "underground" tournaments that have been waiting for this new legislation, and we have to wonder how those poker players involved will react to the new rules.

Is a 35 per cent prize pool enough of a lure for players? Is that a standard rate? If it isn't, there's a danger that the underground games will stay there.

A quick Google search led us to a recent Toronto charity poker tournament that saw 50 per cent going to the prize pool.

At a casino tournament, $180 of a $200 buy-in went to the prize pool, with $20 going to the house and dealer fees.

Given that information, the New Brunswick government may end up denying charities poker proceeds in a possible misguided effort to ensure charities get more.

Maybe the province has done its homework. Maybe local card sharks were consulted and are content. We just don't know.

The government has issued its edict without explaining the thinking upon which it is based.

We've called the bet. It's time for the province to show its cards.

The Daily Gleaner

News Added: 19 May, 2008

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