[OmahaGal]

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Remember that the biggest danger when playing in these clubs is not the police but a robbery.

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I play at an legally established poker room and of course have met so many who play in private games. I have also helped run a monthly tournament game with about 30-40 players in the past, so integrity and security was always an issue not to be taken lightly.

It pays to be careful, that is, know the people who play and as new people come into the game ask questions. Ours was a very friendly and fun (low buy-ins) game, but we were always cautious b/c you just never know.

More recently other players I have met, and who run house games, have told me of gangs in/around that stalk these games and wait for people to leave and then rob them at knife/gunpoint taking cell phones, everything. There have been several area games that become public knowledge and become targets as easy money.

As far as police raids...IMO...Police need better things to do than raid poker games - use your voting power to keep the police force to a minimum when they begin harrassing people in this and other inocuous ways. Our local police department wanted to hire another officer and we used the fact that they are no longer protecting, but harrassing people as an argument against the hire. It worked - no added harrassment force. I have nothing against hard-working cops and appreciate what they do, but I do not like citizens being treated like common criminals for doings things like making a roll stop at an intersection without a car in sight during the middle of the night [happened to a friend of mine last year]. This is the signal for 'too much time on their hands' enforcement. It is very unncecessary and should not be tolerated.