[TrudyM]

If you have watched the world series of poker or looked at those sitting at the tables in a casino, you might think you had walked into the wrong side of town by the attire. Hooded sweatshirts, dark glasses baggy clothes etc. It is suppose to be lucky and allows the player to hide their faces and eyes so as to not give anything away.
My husband has not joined in the trend attire wise but he always loved poker and has played limit poker (not really well but for fun) when we go to Vegas and now once a month at the local indian casinos (We have 5 within close driving range of Seattle) But he says the crowds have changed much younger guys and they play reckless his being able to calculate the odds in his head doesn't help as much as it use to.
Card rooms have been legal in Seattle since 1974 many bowling allys have card rooms here but they also have security.
I wouldn't think a non money game would attract many of the element that you are afraid of.
When we lived in Atlanta the country club we belonged to had a card room and there were always members playing. In Hawaii the card room at the Pacific club (A non golf business mans club) is very high class (It would have to be the dues are outragous) and many a business deal has been hammered out over a game of poker there.
The vise or lack there of does not come from the game it comes from the intent of the persons playing. I don't like the type of loud crowd that is in every resturant with a bar during sports playoffs but I don't boycott the resturant just because they recognize an opurtunity to turn a profit on those screaming at the game and downing their beers. I just when I pick a night to go, avoid playoff game nights.

Just my opinion,