What is the Texas Poker PAC?
April 27, 2006 -
The Texas Poker PAC is a Political Action Committee (PAC) comprised of political professionals, lawyers, media people and so forth who just love to play poker. The game that bears our name, No-Limit Texas Holdem, is illegal to play, for the most part, in the good old state of Texas.
Basically, you can play poker at home if no one 'benefits' from that play. What does that mean? Well, you can't charge a rake. You can't use the poker money to pitch in for food. It's very legalese - and a bit annoying, if you ask me. You can't play in a poker club...but you can play poker at some clubs if there's no buy-in; and, you're just playing for fun (or a contest prize like the events I've gone to at the Dallas Night Club through 4AcesEvents). Sometimes, even the tips you give your waitress at these events could be considered suspect. Insane!!!!
Before I get all verklempt, I'll send you to this link if you want to learn more about what's legal regarding poker in the state of Texas:
http://www.gambling-law-us.com/State-Laws/Texas/
Basically, the Texas Poker PAC realizes what I've known for a long time too. Texas' laws regarding poker are: OUTDATED, OVERLY RESTRICTIVE, UNCLEAR & INCONSISTENTLY ENFORCED. (Personally, I'd add a few adjectives here; but, I'm trying so hard to be polite!)
Poker can be used to aid the citizens of Texas in many ways. Take the example of uninsured children in our state. The CHIP program (Children's Health Insurance), which is operated by the Texas Department of Health and Human Services, is set up to help fund medical insurance for families who earn too much to qualify for medicaid but not enough to buy private insurance for their children.
However, even with such programs in place - no matter how well-intentioned they may be - 1 in 4 Texas children - yes 25% of our state's kids - don't have health care options. That's more than a tragedy. It's unconscionable.
Besides, our public schools are also struggling to make ends meet. The Robin Hood program which was implemented to take funds form richer school districts and give them to poorer ones has some severe problems. There's never enough revenue for any school to do all it needs to; and, our teachers don't earn nearly what they're worth. As a member of my son's PTA Board, I've seen a lot of budget problems. Of course, I know that's true everywhere...but, it's still so frustrating. Texas also has a pretty hefty sales tax; and, I can personally tell you that our property taxes are through the roof!
If poker were regulated, the Texas Poker PAC knows that the state would have a ton of extra revenue laying around. It would prove to be such a boon for charitable enterprises! Charitable poker events have become quite popular and a fantastic way to raise funds for nonprofit organizations.
Besides, it's just flat-out wrong that the state that has given the world No-Limit Texas Holdem and players like Doyle Brunson, Jack Binion, Phil Gordon, TJ Cloutier, Clonie Gowen, David Williams and Robert Williamson III who were either born in this great state or, like myself, have chosen to call it home at one time in their lives or another, should be able to play the game legally at any time.
For more information, I urge you to check out the Texas Poker PAC at http://www.texaspokerpac.com. If you live in Texas, become a member today! I did - and I'm proud to say so!
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