Comments on: Amy Calistri = Socialist, Closet OU Fan

By: RobD

RobD — Thu, 07 May 2009 12:47:26 +0000

To put a final nail into the coffin of Amy’s argument against HB222, I was at a Austin poker game last night and we got robbed at gun point (5/7/09, early morning). It was in a nice neighborhood and is known to regulars as FPC. At least two people got beat up. We’re all lucky to be alive. The Travis county sherrif was called and filed a report.

By: Steve L

Steve L — Wed, 06 May 2009 09:01:23 +0000

I posted a dissenting comment on Amy’s blog, but it mysteriously dissappeared.
Anyway, poker may be legal in Texas, but having a dealer isn’t. Everyone chipping in for rent isn’t. (even if everyone chips in equally) Everyone chipping in for food isn’t.
If you want to play legal poker in Texas, you have to do it in someone’s house (or somewhere else entirely rent free). You have to bring your own food. You have to take turns actually dealing the cards. (taking turns dealing suck ass… I refuse to do it).
If you want a nice, clean, safe, professional enviroment with plasma TVs and the sounds of chips clicking echoing throught the room you can’t do it in Texas. You have to go to Winstar or beyond. And that’s a shame.
An yes, the law will also help out some big fish… that’s what many laws do.

By: DanM

DanM — Tue, 05 May 2009 20:41:07 +0000

Well, we’re definitely a little slow on some things …

http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2009/05/better-late-than-never-texas-w.html

Texas would condemn poll taxes, which it and 10 other Southern states once used to deny blacks the vote, under a measure passed by the House on Monday.

The resolution would symbolically put Texas on record as belatedly approving the 24th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which bars forbidding any citizen to vote for failure to pay a poll tax. It was ratified by three-fourths of the states more than 45 years ago.

Texas is one of nine states not to have “post-ratified” the 24th Amendment. The measure now goes to the Senate, where an identical resolution died last session.

By: Mojo

Mojo — Tue, 05 May 2009 20:02:06 +0000

Amy’s comments on the other thread were off-base. I made a lengthy response to the “dens will kill racetrack rooms” argument in the Comments of that thread. Short version: no Houston underground room could compete with a 50 table room.

But I’m still worried. Unless the racetracks and the Indians can make peace, both bills will die without a hearing. And since the state is not in a serious budget crisis (ha!), it is unlikely that Perry will call a special session.

Now if Tilman Fertitta had a piece of the racetracks, we’d probably see some movement…. lolz

By: Card Chucker

Card Chucker — Tue, 05 May 2009 17:56:03 +0000

Well all of yesterday’s floor time was taken on cockfighting… That’s right, they are debating on making it illegal to attend cockfights or not.

By: Poker Shrink

Poker Shrink — Tue, 05 May 2009 15:48:38 +0000

The scorpio did not sting you and yet you poked it again. Dan you argue like you date: dangerously and with your eyes averted.

By: Ken

Ken — Tue, 05 May 2009 15:00:53 +0000

I don’t know, maybe its just me but why are people having such a hard time with this Bill…?? Do they not understand that in its current state, it has the possibility to raise MILLIONS for the state.. In this troubling economic time, how could ANYONE possibly turn down that kind of money….???

The State of Texas needs to get over their “left wing” mentality and possibly try to grasp being open-minded to the idea that poker is a good thing for them.

By: DanM

DanM — Tue, 05 May 2009 13:25:12 +0000

Amy, you fold so easily! This is not the flame war I was hoping to start! Oh well … I’m sure we will find issues to spar on in the future. :/

P.S. I thought of another reason … protecting novice (or even experienced) players from shady games!

By: Amy C

Amy C — Tue, 05 May 2009 13:15:13 +0000

Johnny’s right. I’ve never been an OU fan. Dan’s right. I’m probably left of a socialist.

And I admit that my home game in Texas is probably far better than what most people have…no rake…good security…and handicapped accessible. (Granted, we have to run across the street for food.) And as a totally legal game in Texas, it’s never been raided in the 15 years of its operation.

Maybe I should stop being selfish and give the rest of Texas a chance to play under the same healthy conditions — albeit with a rake.

Although the whole idea of a rake just erks me — especially in a state where I can play legally and rake free today. For one thing, I’m really cheap. And, perhaps, most importantly: I think a rake is the only difference between me being a positive and negative EV player. I’m just not that good:)

But I’m sure I’ll get over it. Good luck on your bill.

By: Johnny Hughes

Johnny Hughes — Tue, 05 May 2009 12:28:12 +0000

I am a big Amy Calistri fan. Calling her an Oklahoma fan is really severe. I’ll lay 20 to 1 that Amy has not been robbed….yet.

I have played in one non-rake game in Texas in the last fifty years. I only played once.

Under capitalism, poker games will compete with each other with lower rake, delicious food, and better security. Just like they do right now. If some slick runs a poker joint with no rake, and they are playing high, keep looking around.

Johnny Hughes