Comments on: Texas Poker Bill to Get Its House Vote Austin game violently robbed

By: Kevin Mathers

Kevin Mathers — Fri, 08 May 2009 19:07:23 +0000

And there’s this…

http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/politics/entries/2009/05/08/menendez_says_poker_proposal_p.html

By: Kevin Mathers

Kevin Mathers — Fri, 08 May 2009 19:01:16 +0000

Try opening it in Winamp

By: DanM

DanM — Fri, 08 May 2009 18:58:11 +0000

are you watching somewhere? i’ve been clicking the link but getting nothing:
http://www.house.state.tx.us/fx/av/live/extlive80kchamber.ram

By: Kevin Mathers

Kevin Mathers — Fri, 08 May 2009 18:08:39 +0000

Nice to see the TX House deal with important issues, like their first annual Wii bowling tournament.

By: pinkerton

pinkerton — Fri, 08 May 2009 16:45:13 +0000

I personally am happy with the bars being left out of this bill, although I would like the 4 table part to change. I’d much rather visit an actual cardroom at a track, complete with floor staff and professional dealers, and security than the local pub. I’ll drive the hour extra for that luxury.

The free alcohol part I could also care less about. That was my big ‘whaaaaaaat?’ moment when I played in California last year… you have to pay for your booze, but any table over $100 buy-in was free food instead which was awesome. I think I just put on 3 pounds thinking about it actually.

By: Kevin Mathers

Kevin Mathers — Fri, 08 May 2009 14:52:22 +0000

A previous part of the legislation limited it to 10x the max buyin, which would be $1,000 but that has been removed.

By: DanM

DanM — Fri, 08 May 2009 14:40:50 +0000

The no free alcohol may just be something you have to deal with. Do poker players really care about alcohol, or at least free alcohol?

From what I understand, WinStart now serves booze … not sure whether or not they charge. (I think they do.)

As to the four tables part … just keep in mind that as Texas votes today (or Monday), Florida will also be voting on whether or not to add true NL cash games, and to up the max on tourney buy-ins to $1,000. That’s still not a 10k … but steps in the right direction.

With that in mind, I think the strategy is to pass the 4-table law, and then when setting up the new poker rooms say, oops, that’s a typo! We meant to say 40!

By: pokerpolitics

pokerpolitics — Fri, 08 May 2009 13:53:59 +0000

Only four tables? No Free alcohol?

Is anyone even gonna show up to play.

By: tommytwotoes

tommytwotoes — Fri, 08 May 2009 13:46:57 +0000

fingers crossed that it passes the vote and that perry ignores it and doesnt veto. we know he wont sign it.

By: DanM

DanM — Thu, 07 May 2009 23:14:27 +0000

so there you have it. thanks mike, for filling us in.

nice job at the capitol, btw … you know, assuming you had something to do with it all.

By: Lavigne In Austin

Lavigne In Austin — Thu, 07 May 2009 21:55:31 +0000

this is the second reading. 3rd readings are generally perfunctory unless it is a highly controversial measure.

The governor doesn’t have to sign it for it to become law. He can either sign it, let it become law without his signature or veto it.

By: pokerpolitics

pokerpolitics — Thu, 07 May 2009 21:41:23 +0000

What chance does it realistically have of passing? Is there a chance in hell Perry will sign this?

By: DanM

DanM — Thu, 07 May 2009 19:46:11 +0000

I’m not sure … will try to find out the answer.

By: pinkerton

pinkerton — Thu, 07 May 2009 19:44:08 +0000

Is this the final house vote or just the second reading? I’m not too politically savvy, but I thought there were three readings.

http://www.house.state.tx.us/resources/glossary.htm
“The second reading of a bill is the first point in the process when the entire membership of a chamber has the opportunity to debate the bill and amend it by majority vote. The third reading of a bill is the next point in the process when the entire membership of a chamber may debate a bill and the final opportunity the members of a chamber have to offer amendments to the bill.”