February 17, 2005
By Karen Dandurant
kdandurant@seacoastonline.com
GREENLAND - While the legality of Texas hold'em poker tournaments has come under scrutiny in some states, the game nevertheless remains a popular way for nonprofit groups to raise money.
The Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation is one of the agencies looking to see if the charity games are legitimate or just a way to offer illegal gambling. Many states are preparing guidelines for charities about the games.
The Greenland Veterans Association is planning to hold a game this Saturday at the Vets Hall on Route 33. There is a preregistration fee of $100, or $125 on the day of the event. Registration begins at 2 p.m., and the poker games will begin at 4 p.m. There is an 84-player limit.
Bob Krasko, who organized the charitable event for the veterans group, said he sees nothing illegal about the games.
"We have to apply to the state - to the attorney general's office - and the local police department," Krasko explained. "It's all legal. I think they want their cut of the pie. You can't do anything unless the state gets a piece of it."
If the poker tournaments are illegal, Krasko wondered, how about bingo?
"That's been going on for how many centuries?" he said. "That's gambling; races are gambling. These tournaments are sweeping the country. What's the big deal as long as we get the proper permits?"
Krasko obtained the game rules from Foxwoods Resort Casino. He said the benefiting group must be a nonprofit, and alcohol cannot be served.
Texas hold'em poker games start with seven players at a table, said Krasko.
"Whoever is the dealer deals two cards face down to everyone, and they look at their cards," he said. "There is a round of betting and raising until done. Then the dealer turns over three community cards face up. They go with cards in your hand, and players bet again."
"The dealer turns over the flop, a fourth card, face up and players bet again accordingly. Then comes the river card. Now there are five cards up, two in your hand, and players make their best poker hand with a winner. Playing continues and people are eliminated until there is a winner."
Krasko has played in three tournaments himself.
"The people are all friendly, and a lot of them go from tournament to tournament," he said.
Money from the registration fee pays for the expenses and the prizes. After that, he said, the veterans group will put any profit into a fund they use for their various charitable causes, such as scholarships they give each year to members' families.
Noting the current popularity of poker, Krasko said games are also scheduled to be held at the Meadowbrook Inn in Portsmouth and at the American Legion in Rochester on Sunday.
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