Poker at Havana CC

[pili]

My husband and a friend stopped for a drink at Havana CC on Tuesday around 8:30pm. They were asked if they were there for gambling because Havana stays open till midnight on Tuesday for poker games. My husband said a group of very unsavory looking men started arriving. Most looked very young and frankly looked like gang members. I am disturbed to hear this because I don't think The Villages need that type of people or poker games at a country club. Has anyone heard about this?

[Bogie Shooter]

Hard to believe the management of Havana would risk losing their liquor license by running a poker game at the CC.

[paulandjean]

I find this hard to believe, Seems like there is more to this story. Do not think the person got the right info.

[Skip]

You posted the same question in the Restaurant Forum and I answered over there. Many restaurants in The Villages have been doing it for months now and it's legal because of a Florida law loophold.

Skip

[l2ridehd]

I would suggest we boycott those places that support that and tell management why. I don't want those "unsavory characters" in the Villages. They lose and will find a way to recover we don't want to consider. Gambling increases and crime increases. If it was open to just Villages residents, maybe, outsiders, no way.

[paulandjean]

Bet most of the people gambling are from the villages. Think its a "Bad" idea to boycott these restaurants,and remember they are open to all,including your "outsiders"

[Mudder]

Just what constitues an "unsavory character"?

[mrfixit]

Just what constitues an "unsavory character"?

....OMG... I just looked in the MIRROR.......It's ME.

[hedoman]

CICI's in Colony Plaza had Texas Hold 'em the other night when we were there. All winnings are returned to the players in the form of gift certs or something like that which made it sound tame. Most everybody at the 3 tables did not qualify as Villages especially the yound children that were left in the booths to watch. Buy a buffet and you are in. The only money they explained was a buck or two tip to the dealer for each game

[cappyjon431]

Just what constitues an "unsavory character"?

I represent that remark. ;)

[batman911]

As a former restaurant owner I can tell you that a large portion of the profits comes from the bar business. The hidden risk is that if they are making lots of profit on their bar/poker business, the food side could suffer. I do not believe anyone wants a gambling den/bar in their neighborhood.

[Skip]

No money changes hands (except a "tip" for the dealer). That's why it's legal.

Skip

[Harry Gilbert]

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11723&highlight=poker


It seems that Poker is not new to TV

[Bogie Shooter]

I think the original poster should have clarified that no $ was laying on the table (or under it). If these games are being played without money what is the problem. I saw and was invited to play last year at CiCi's and there was no money being exchanged.
Maybe it was the gangsters that gave the impression that big money was being wagered.

[hdh1470]

Just what constitues an "unsavory character"?

soon they will want to burn books because of their covers

[Carla B]

Now, I'm confused. So are they playing for money at Havana CC or not, does anyone know?

[pili]

These people were not Villagers. My neighbor said they were young looking and looked like thugs. So it may be legal but not the type of people we want in The Villages.

[Bogie Shooter]

These people were not Villagers. My neighbor said they were young looking and looked like thugs. So it may be legal but not the type of people we want in The Villages.

What does a thug look like? Will there be check points at each entrance to TV? Are we overreacting a little here?

[cappyjon431]

What does a thug look like? Will there be check points at each entrance to TV? Are we overreacting a little here?

:agree:

Typical thug:

http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd376/cappyjon431/1396392-kidrock_super1.jpg

And yes, it does seem somewhat of an overreaction.

[graciegirl]

...

[paulandjean]

Are you saying,Detroits own "Kid Rock is a thug" No Way

[cappyjon431]

Are you saying,Detroits own "Kid Rock is a thug" No Way

Nothing he hasn't said himself ;)

I actually like some of his music.

[samhass]

We play in restaurants in NE Pa. There is no buy in. You buy food and drinks and the restaurant offers a prize to the winner of the knockout style game. It's fun and we met lots of nice people playing. None of them were thugs. I have heard there are many high stakes games here in TV. Peope will gamble. I think this poker game is probably harmless fun.

[Bogie Shooter]

[quote=samhass;430182]We play in restaurants in NE Pa. There is no buy in. You buy food and drinks and the restaurant offers a prize to the winner of the knockout style game. It's fun and we met lots of nice people playing. None of them were thugs. I have heard there are many high stakes games here in TV. Peope will gamble. I think this poker game is probably harmless fun.[/quot....

.....

[Sage327]

I would suggest we boycott those places that support that and tell management why. I don't want those "unsavory characters" in the Villages. They lose and will find a way to recover we don't want to consider. Gambling increases and crime increases. If it was open to just Villages residents, maybe, outsiders, no way.

:police:

[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,

[philnpat]

Original post was almost 1 1/2 years old. Are you sure it still goes on there?

[graciegirl]

:police:

You just activated a very old thread. But it isn't clear why.

[tag460]

I watch group of very unsavory looking men on television all the time playing poker and making millions!

[mickey100]

Poker is being played in the rec centers about every day of the week. If the restaurant wants to have it and offer prizes, what's the big deal.