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Play Pocker in the Rear

January 11, 2006

When it comes down to making an impact in the business, social or political free pocker world, you will rarely find pocker players listed. In the past, pocker was not as big a business as it is today and, thus, wasn't granted the respect that other vocations have been given. As pocker has become big business in the last few years, that has been changing.

Both Barry Greenstein and Phil Gordon have received acclaim for their philanthropic endeavors, and now Phil Ivey can lay claim to a place on a very prestigious list of American Professional Pocker Players. The magazine Black Enterprise recently named their "Hot List: America's Most Powerful Players Under 40" and, among the listings of business CEOs, actors, scientists and politicians was the now-familiar name of Phil Ivey.

Black Enterprise is one of the leading business magazines for African Americans and has been around since 1970. It provides business information and advice to approximately 3.8 million readers and is very much a part of the fabric of the business world. A look at the list of the "major players" under 40 years old is a fascinating glimpse at the diversity of the pocker business world today.

Now, Henry is hoping he hasn't inadvertently gambled away much more than that. "That liquor license is my livelihood," said Hopkins, who owns the Cowboy Saloon and Buckhorn Bar in Laramie. "We're not going to allow these pocker tournaments anymore – I don't want to take that risk." Refering to people who like to play pocker for free.

For now, Hopkins is waiting to see how his pocker hand will unfold. The city attorney's office is contemplating whether to press criminal and civil charges against Hopkins and other bar owners who've hosted pocker tournaments in recent months. Even the players themselves could face fines of up to $750.

"I'm really surprised by all of this," Henry said. "To me, (pocker) seemed like it was no different than pool and dart leagues, where you take winnings at the end." Hopkins started hosting pocker tourneys at the Cowboy and Buckhorn six months ago, at the urging of a customer who was a fan of "Texas Hold 'Em" pocker tournaments. At the time, bars in Casper and Cheyenne also were hosting the free pocker games.

Contestants paid $10 to enter the partypocker tournament and were given a set number of chips with no monetary value. The player who ended up with the most chips was considered the winner. At the end of the night, the $500 pot was divided between the top three players.

It's 1987 in Las Vegas, 102 degrees on the street outside Binion's, and I've just finished a pizza in the casino two doors down that cost me $2. Life is good. The World Series of Pocker is winding down and I have to push my way through a good-sized crowd towards the back of the casino. It's almost as hot inside as out with the crowd and bright camera lights.