The Internet Gambling Prohibition Act...

[Talking Poker]

In , I took a lot of heat for suggesting that poker was more than a game of chance. Rather than add on to what is already a four page thread (that is supposed to be about WA state making online poker a felony), I've decided to start a new thread.

A few days after that thread died this first time around, I found a VERY informative article in CardPlayer. It focuses on the Internet Gambling Prohibition Act. If you are not at all familiar with this, you probably should be. Here is a link to the article, which really is a comprehensive analysis (as the title states):


All in all, I found the article extremely informative, and encouraging (this proposed bill has a LOT of holes/flaws). I highly recommend that everyone read the entire article, but I'll quote one section that I found especially interesting with regard to our question, "Is poker a game of chance or a game of skill?"

More on the legality of online poker:


And lastly, the most important part of the entire article... Here is a link where you can take 30 seconds to fill out a form and have a letter sent to your U.S. Senators and House Representative (it's editable, so feel free to change the wording as you please). Every single American reading this should fill out this form right now:

[PShabi]

Sent that email a few months ago. My wife and I both got a response back. Our rep supports the bill. While I obviously do not support it, I definitely understand the reasons they support it in Florida.

[Talking Poker]

Fair enough. But if they hear enough opposition from the people they are supposed to be representing... well, you never know.

Here is the text of the letter, pre-editing:

Mine are printing right now.

[eejit101]

i filled this in a few weeks back as if the americans go, poker falls apart basically

[Boobie Lover]

In South Dakota, internet gambling is . I'm a criminal already.

[Zybomb]

South Dakota really exists???

[eejit101]

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Zybomb again.

[Reel Deal]

I knew it existed... just didn't think anyone lived there.

[Penguinfan]

I have avoided both of these threads for a reason, when it comes to politics or religion you will NEVER change a persons mind no matter how many facts you have or how good your argument is.

Having said that, TP, I think what you are missing here isn't the idea of weather or not poker is a game of skill or chance but weather or not politicians, who care nothing about poker players unless they make up the majority of voters, passes a bill. If the bill passes and becomes law you must obey it or possibly be prosecuted, it's that simple.


You make a very good argument about poker being a skill game, here in Pennsylvania you can make all the great safety arguments you want and you still don't have to wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle, but you have to wear a seatbelt even as a passenger of a car. Does that make sense? No, but it doesn't matter, guys can crack their skull off the pavement when they wreck up the two-wheeler, but I better not run to the corner store without buckling up, it is what it is.

When on-line poker becomes illegal you can still play, but you will be breaking the law no matter how much you disagree with the law and could face prosecution, again, like it or not.

[Talking Poker]

I understand how the system works. But that's the beauty of living in a country that is run for the people, by the people... We have a say. Our representatives represent US. They might not represent ME individually, but by letting my voice be heard, I am making a difference.

We also have a Constitution that protects us and our freedoms (or at least tries to). I'm definitely not suggesting that people ignore certain laws because they don't agree with them (even though we all do this all the time - ever drive above the speed limit?)... I'm simply suggesting we do what we have every right to do to prevent these new laws from being passed in the first place.

[Penguinfan]

Your head is burried in the sand here. Politicians do not run the country for US, they run it for their best interest.

I wish I had room (and the exact facts) to explain the slots issue here in PA. After LENGHTY debate by both sides (months, over a year maybe) about all the pros and cons legislation was finally put in place to at least appease both sides an the bill went to vote. It was delayed and almost dead at the midnight hour (honestly, it was close to midnight), why? Because the bill included a clause that said no politician could own ANY PART of a gambling house.

Until that was removed the bill was not going to pass. After almost a year of deciding what was in the best interest of the public it still came down to how much money the politicians could make before the "Best interest of the public" could be done.


If you still believe the constitution governs this country, or politicians do things in our best interest, well, god help you.

[Talking Poker]

Facts:
A. Politicians act in their best interest.
B. It is in their best interest to be reelected.
C. To be re-elected, they need the majority of the people they represent to vote for them.

Therefore:
D. It is in their best interest to act in the way the majority of the people they represent want them to act.

Simple, simple logic.

[Penguinfan]

Yes, you are correct, if you are dealing in the long term.

Just like at the poker table sometimes you give your opponent too much credit, I mean surely he didn't call that 4x raise with A4 and you hold AK on a flop of K44, honestly, he wouldn't do that, right? Long term this is a bad move, as we know, short term you just got fucked.

In this day and age politicians can be made millionairs by making bad long term decisions that affect everyone but themselves.

Do you really think politicians make their money based on the paycheck they draw?