Saturday, November 18, 2006
Dallas Cops Cracking Down on Poker - Updated With Photo Gallery and Arrest Stats
Many players think over-the-top raids are spurred by Oklahoma and Louisiana casinos
Updated 01:51 p.m., November 25, 2006
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Photo Gallery
Poker Raids - Courtesy of Pokerati.com
Jackie’s was probably more of a “family” game than any other. (BIG family, but still.) Anyhow, if you were one of the people who considered this place your home, you may not want to look at the pictures to follow. All kinda sad, really. Shortly after these were taken, Jackie’s was apparently looted — with thieves taking a big-screen TV, leather couches, office chairs, pots and pans, and pretty much everything else that Dallas SWAT didn’t leave behind. By the way, “Jackie” … I am pretty sure you did not get arrested — just “the kids” did. So just a heads-up … I think the cops are looking for you, FYI.
Enlarge photo | View thumbnailsDALLAS — Three area underground poker rooms were busted by Dallas SWAT last night in nearly simultaneous raids: JB's, Ace High, and Jackies were all taken down in similar SWAT raids. And in all cases there were TV news crews along for the ride.
As always, our pal Dan Michalski at Pokerati has all the insider scoop and firsthand accounts.
Many players seem to feel that casinos in Oklahoma and Louisiana are putting pressure and money behind local cops and the DA so that underground poker players will be forced to hit the road to play cards.
Pokerati reports
And from Dan's 11/25 roundup, some VERY interesting stats on the busts:
Demographics from the bust
November poker arrests: 20
Ticketed players: 79
Cash seized: $43,000
Weapons found: 0
Drugs found: 0
Players with outstanding warrants: 0
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Comments
bluesdfw Anonymous
I feel so much safer. How about you?
Meanwhile, while sitting at Pearl watching a great band last night, I watched probably 15 cars turn the wrong way down one way streets and many more blow through red lights at 40 miles an hour about 30 feet from where I was sitting. Thank Jeebuz none of them were gambling.
2 years, 7 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Mike Orren Staff
Heh.
That's actually one of the cool things about Pearl. The way the angles of the windows are vis a vis the stage, the effect of the headlights drifting by is hypnotic.
And the deployment of resources to clamp down on poker does seem suspect. We're looking into it.
2 years, 7 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Mike Orren Staff
Dan has some more good stuff on these busts at least temporarily scaring other venues closed: http://pokerati.com/2006/11/18/dallas...
And a funny cartoon: http://pokerati.com/2006/11/18/poker-...
2 years, 7 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Mike Orren Staff
So here's the Channel 11 piece, clearly orchestrated to make a point:
http://cbs11tv.com/local/local_story_...
Local bloggers are taking a pretty dim view of this, and I tend to agree. We really need to send three swat teams WITH television cameras to bust up poker games?
http://thefatguy.com/2006/11/on-the-g...
Dan points out some better things the cops could have done with their time: http://pokerati.com/2006/11/19/why-no...
Here's an example of the hardened criminals picked up by SWAT:
And copies of the arrest warrant: http://pokerati.com/2006/11/21/jackie...
2 years, 7 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Mike Orren Staff
Here's Dan himself, providing commentary for NBC5's exclusive "we weren't invited on the raid so here's our catchup" coverage:
http://www.nbc5i.com/news/10370555/de...
A photo gallery from Dan is on the way.
Side note: I'll buy a steak dinner for the next local TV journalist who can report the poker bust story without using a poker pun:
"The cops aren't bluffing when it comes to getting tough on poker."
"The police showed their hand last night..."
Puh-lease.
And DUH! I don't know how this escaped me before. Don't play poker during Sweeps Week!: http://www.unclebarky.com/dfw_files/1...
2 years, 7 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Mike Orren Staff
Updated with a great on-site photo gallery from Dan.
2 years, 7 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Mike Orren Staff
Updated again.
2 years, 7 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
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