Raid riles poker players - Police, prosecutors bicker over charges against 80 in city

Baltimore Sun ^ | November 5, 2005 | Lynn Anderson

[JTN]

Some poker players netted in a police raid of a popular South Baltimore gambling club complained bitterly yesterday about state and local laws that outlaw betting on a wildly popular card game, and railed against what they called "overzealous" law enforcement officials.

Illustrating the confusion over gambling laws, police and prosecutors bickered last night over whether and how to proceed with charges against 80 people who were caught up in the raid at the Owl's Nest on Wednesday.

Baltimore police rarely pursue charges involving illegal poker, and the city state's attorney's office questioned whether police had followed proper procedures in issuing citations to players rather than making arrests.

At one point last night, Margaret T. Burns, a spokeswoman for city State's Attorney Patricia C. Jessamy, said she expected the charges against all 80 players to be dropped. About an hour later, after police challenged that interpretation, she said prosecutors would spend more time reviewing the law next week.

[JTN]

Via Radley Balko, who states that there were 271 homicides in Baltimore County, MD last year and comments,

By the way, the Maryland Lottery would like you to know that the Mega Millions jackpot is up to $225 million. The Lotto is at $ 2 million.

Caught up in the poker craze? Then don't forget the Maryland Lottery's scratchers! The state of Maryland's got yer' World Championship Poker, Poker Showdown, and Royal Flush, among about a dozen other card-themed games.

But as I was saying, it's good to know the police of Baltimore are using their guns, authority, and power to prevent grown-ups from voluntarily wagering their money on games of chance.

[JTN]

ping

[Gordongekko909]

But as I was saying, it's good to know the police of Baltimore are using their guns, authority, and power to prevent grown-ups from voluntarily wagering their money on games of chance.

Hey, hey, HEY! Poker is a skill game!

[JohnnyZ]

Murders are given cursory treatment, burglaries are a documentation formality for the insurers, while cops lie in wait for drivers exceeding the posted speed limit or playing poker.

Anyone ever considered prioritizing law enforcement $?

[thescourged1]

Geez, it's just a card game. And here in Nevada, I can't think of anyone in recent memory that died from one. Of course, you may have to watch out for the really sore losers, heh.

[Congressman Billybob]

I used to bowl in a men's league in Baltimore. After the bowling was over, we would repair to a separate room in the bowling alley and play poker for small stakes. The room had a window that looked out on the parking lot.

One night, a beat policeman looked in that window at the right time and saw gambling, GAMBLING!, going on. He came in the establishment, and attempted to place all seven players under arrest. The matter was quickly dropped, however, when he discovered that one of the players was the Baltimore City Police Commissioner. (I wasn't there on that particular night, alas.)

Congressman Billybob

Latest column: "Reddy Finney, Joe Enge, and the US Constitution"

[dfwgator]

Wow, this must be murders and robberies in Baltimore are a thing of the past.

[frogjerk]

Poker Ping!

Freepmail me to be put on the poker ping list.

[Graycliff]

In TX private games are perfectly legal, as in most states, i believe. It's when someone profits from setting up or handling the game, ( taking a rake, or profiting from the sell of chips) thats where people of business's get in trouble.

[Hugin]

Over 50 million Americans play poker. Politicains really should get a clue about criminalizing their electorate. It's not a great idea.