America vs. Poker gets closer to home

Well across the bay actually. I'm not going to re-write the account as you can read it here:

http://www.insidebayarea.com/sanmateocountytimes/ci_7966662

As for personal accounts, I can give you two here:

http://ksnydersj.wordpress.com/2008/01/13/reno-911-the-home-game/

http://pokersoup.com/blog/pokeradical/show/san-francisco-poker-meetup-group-busted

Basically I thought it was over done. My wife asked what was with the riot gear and from reading the accounts, it sounded like one of them was using the gear to conceal his identity since he played in a game undercover (a total donk too).
Now as bad I as feel about these guys they made three mistakes:

1. They asked $5.00 for refreshments. What's the big deal? Not much when you first hear about it, but when you really think about it, a game that averages from 6 to 16 that can average about 90 bucks. Now I know I don't spend that much on refreshments. And when the game is over, where do the refreshments go? Most likely they stay at the house it was played in. Hmmm I got an average of 90 bucks to cover food and I have a lot of left overs in beer and food. Not a bad night. Add the fact I cashed out, well it makes it a great night. $5.00 doesn't sound so innocent now, does it? I'm not saying there were bad intentions in this because if one hosts a tourney and pays for food and drinks and doesn't cash out is really in the hole. The thing is you host, you can have your guest bring food or their own beverage or be prepared to foot the cost for as many as possible. Just don't ask for a kickback is the key.

2. The skimmed off the top. Again, intentions seemed good. Skim off the top and put it towards a free-roll for a Tournament of Champions or something similar. My TOC's people just have a larger buy-in. It's still their choice if qualified to play. Granted I throw in card guards for all participants, I do this expecting nothing in return but a good night in poker.

3. This one was a "WTF" were they thinking? Last year I invited my step-brother and brother-in-law to play. Also invited a nephew who was 18. My other two nephews who were under 18 didn't get an invite because I wasn't clear of the legalities of doing so. Turns out my instincts was dead on, because after my invite which none showed, I felt they were put off by the fact I didn't invite the younger nephews. Well I'm not being charged for contributing to a delinquency of a minor either.

A local league closed up shop due to the recent events, but on the surface it doesn't look like they are doing anything illegal. My know my doors are still open.