Posted on 02/15/2010 4:57:58 PM PST by fanfan
The great thing about America is that a guy like me can follow his dreams and do what he loves to do and still support his family.
I play poker for a living. Poker is not for everybody. Some people have the skill and the mathematical ability to be great at poker, and some people do not.
I got my big break winning an online poker tournament, which gave me the chance to go to Las Vegas and compete in the World Series of Poker. I was able to win that tournament and the rest, as they say, is history.
Imagine my surprise, then, when I saw that the United States Congress decided to make it more difficult for people to play poker online. In 2006, the Congress passed the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, a law that tries to stop Americans from playing poker for money and has the effect of keeping American companies from owning Internet gaming Web sites.
That’s a stupid law, I thought. Online poker is not going away. Millions of people play online poker all over the world, especially in America. Why penalize Americans and leave open the market to companies from other countries?
When it comes to politics, I am a libertarian. I believe that giving people the freedom to do what they want to do to achieve their version of the American dream is what this great country is all about.
I am also a patriot. I love this country, because it truly does serve as a beacon for freedom for the rest of the world.
That is why I am so angry at those members of Congress who have tried to take my version of the American dream away from me. Taking freedom away is not what America is all about.
Poker is an intrinsic part of America’s soul. Poker is an American game. Poker was a vital part of the American frontier. Harry Truman was playing poker in the Speaker’s office of the United States Congress when his boss Franklin Roosevelt died, and he became President.
It’s no secret that current members of Congress play poker, our president is a poker player, and that there is a regular poker game that includes Supreme Court justices. Isn’t it hypocritical for some of these politicians to try to ban poker playing for those of us who play poker online?
Some say that we should be concerned about kids playing poker online, and I agree. But the answer is to regulate online poker, not ban it for everyone. Regulation is the only realistic way to protect our kids.
I love America. And I love to play poker. It is my version of the American dream. I have a simple message to Congress. Keep your hands off of my poker hand. Repeal the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act, license and regulate online poker, and stand up for freedom in this country.
Greg Raymer is a professional poker player. He is best known for winning the 2004 World Series of Poker main event.
As a pro, he should know that the 2006 law was based on some (IMHO bizarre) legal rulings about online poker players not having to pay their debts.
It was easier to just outlaw it than try to craft something that would make sense in an online world that resides in a very brick and mortar universe.
Not that I am a big proponent of Nanny State Laws. But if you are going to “analyze” something, you need to analyze it completely (this is directed at the article author, not you fanfan).
Frankly I have not heard a single reason for banning online poker that passes the smell test.
I’m not sure I understand your reply, but I do understand your FRiendly tone.
I love being able to learn here, and appreciate posters like you.
:-)
The way I see it, if a guy can hit a baseball well enough to earn a million a year, why can’t a guy who is the best at poker earn his living that way?
Same here.
I do not see how that applies because the online sites do not offer credit that I am aware of and if what you are saying is true the online sites can have a policy of only accepting “cash” transaction; transfers from a bank account. The law was pushed by GOP Nanny Staters, like Leach and Frist, and other GOPers who were out to protect horse racing (including online waging) like a GOP from western Virginia whose name I forget.
If we could have U.S.-based sites, they would presumably have to answer to a state gaming commission. Maybe that would help cut down on the scripted hand outcomes.
We “outlawed” it in the true sense of the term, we drove the business overseas. Our government at work. /s
>>I’m not sure I understand your reply, but I do understand your FRiendly tone.<<
Spread the word - many think I am a jerk (LOL).
Anyway, in the 2004-2007 range (or earlier?), a guy got into serious hock to online gamblng — something in the 100’s of thousands of dollars.
He was sued and his defense was, essentially, “my State doesn’t allow gambling therefore gambling online here is an illegal contract and cannot be enforced.” The Court bought it and he danced away scott-free.
The potential ripple effects of this worried a lot or lawmakers, so they shoved the bill in question into place so there would be less ambiguity on such transactions.
I wish I could get the particulars — my memory fades a bit — but I’ll see what my Google-fu can come up with...
Is that what you call it?
;-)
/ducking
Ping
Absolutely.
>>I do not see how that applies because the online sites do not offer credit that I am aware of and if what you are saying is true the online sites can have a policy of only accepting “cash” transaction; transfers from a bank account. The law was pushed by GOP Nanny Staters, like Leach and Frist, and other GOPers who were out to protect horse racing (including online waging) like a GOP from western Virginia whose name I forget.<<
The whole thing was very strange, IIRC. And you are right, I forgot to mention this was clearly an “opportunity” to legislate protectionism.
But you point out something that drives me nuts — people who, in the guise of “morality” use the State as a Nanny. IMHO these are RINOs, but they frequently pass the “purity” test which I fight so hard against.
Then again, scripted hands have been a hot topic lately...
Have you a link?
I’d appreciate it.
Thanks.
Some think I'm a jerk too. When we get right down to it, we are all jerks. LOL!
;-D
Meanwhile, poker is a skill based on the understanding of math and probability. Either that or gonads.
>>Meanwhile, poker is a skill based on the understanding of math and probability. Either that or gonads.<<
Having played it more than a bit, it is both, but mostly the latter.
Circular logic here. They can't enforce the contract because it is illegal and since they can't enforce the contract, it needs to be made illegal!
Sounds more like the Las Vegas/Atlantic City lobby did not want online gambling.
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