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Poker Craze And Consequences
Published: 2006-03-24
 Its in casinos, in bars, and many are now playing in the comforts of their own home with friends, or online. But just how easy is it to get drawn in this game of what some say is chance, others say is skill?
Just like the song says... When it comes to poker "you got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, Know when to walk away and know when to run."
"Right now our bad beat jackpot is amost $70,000"
At The Royal River Casino in Flandreau, Larry Williams says the new poker room is one of the popular attractions. He says its here where the chips are stacking up for players who know the strategy behind the game.
Williams say,"A slot machine, you have to be at the right place at the right time. Cards you do to a certain point, but you still have to make decisions as to whether, or not you want to play. You've gotta try to read other players."
Reading other players could help you win the pot, but experts say it could also be the beginning of an addiction.
Tandra Baker is a gambling counselor at Avera. She says, "Its kinda like a hook in fishing. It's one of those things that will lure you back every time. Once the hook has been set, it will reel you in."
Just ask Holly Roggow.
"Its out there and its everywhere you turn. Its on the internet, bars, in casinos."
She was in a relationship with someone who was addicted to poker.
Roggow says,"I wasn't aware of how much underground poker playing goes on and how much money is exchanged until I actually lived with someone who did it."
She got out of the relationship...
She says,"I saw him get arrested because of it. I saw him come home with black eyes and eventually that's what led me to split from him because I couldn't deal with it."
...but that split didn't come without learning a lesson.
Roggow says,"Somebody who is addicted to gambling, the only person who can get them out of that situation are themselves."
Larry Williams fromThe Royal River Casinosays, "My biggest concern is with the bars and home games, there's no regulation."
And he says that's where things can get ugly. While there it may be difficult to detect a gambling addiction here there are ways to assure what these people are doing is legal.
Williams say,"We're regulated by our tribal gaming commission. We're regulated by the state of South Dakota."
Without those regulations, players might not know who they're dealing with.
Roggowsays, "There are so many underground poker games."
And while getting over a gambling addiction takes a strong effort, experts say it is doable.
Baker says,"Its very treatable. Its something that we would focus on coping skills. How do you handle those bad days. How do you find that excitement without doing something to distress families?"
Because that trouble will last much longer than the excitement of a big win.
In South Dakota, a game of poker is only legal in deadwood, or in casinos like Royal River that are regulated under the state and tribal gaming commission.
According to attorney general Larry Long, playing poker at home for any amount of money is illegal. When it comes to the internet, those games are more difficult to enforce because many internet poker games originate out of the U-S.
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RECORD PRIZE POOL FOR THIS YEAR'S WORLD POKER TOUR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Published: 2006-03-21
 This year's winner could walk away with $3.5 million
Competitive poker players from many countries are already gearing up and qualifying for this year's World Poker Tour (WPT) World Championships, scheduled for April 18 to 24 at the Bellagio in Las Vegas.
With a buy-in of $25 000, and plenty of generous sponsors prepared to pay it for the top names, WPT management is predicting a prize pool in the range $12 - $15 million this year, giving the final winner a potential $3.5 million in prize money.
Professionals such as Phil 'The Unabomber' Laak and Antonio 'The Magician' Esfandiari, are reported to be on the poker player roll and the top 100 players in the event will all make the money.
Steve Lipscomb, Founder and CEO of WPT Enterprises said, “The $25,000 buy-in insures that these players are among the world's best. However, what's fun is that this championship is still an open event and anyone with the heart, the courage and the skills can find themselves at the final table, cashing in for millions of dollars.”
Ambitious poker players who don't have the cash to buy in will find plenty of satellite tournaments at more than 49 land-based and online casinos, many with small buy-ins.
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