Poker Superstars
Phil Hellmuth
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Former Judge Runs Poker Room In Face of Law |
A man by the name of Howard Lee, who owns and operates a small Arizona-based game room called Judge Lee's Arizona Card Room & Social Club, could face criminal charges for running his room. He has been warned by the state that felony charges may be applied to him for running the poker room against state law, but Judge Lee refuses to concede, backed by his belief in human freedom.
Lee's response to the potential felony charges to this point have been as old-school American as you can get. “I don’t think they’ll find a jury that will convict me,” Lee said. He insists that he's doing nothing wrong, that he has every right to run a poker room in this country. His ex-status as a justice of the peace in Arizona definitely has people talking, trying to figure out exactly where these gray lines lead.
Lee is 64 years old and has a long history working on the side of the law. As justice of the peace he was known for his reputation against backhanded police activity. He is very much a human rights type of defender, with a strong sense of morals that he exhibited cleanly in his years with the law. He has been very clear in his intentions for opening a poker room in Arizona. He sent letters of intent to several government officials, including the Attorney General.
Lee's game is not raked. Instead, the player on the button pays a small donation to the house. The games are usually $1/$2 no limit with a $40 min buy in and $100 max. Pretty meager offerings: it's pretty much like a home game played with friends. The players also pay a $20 membership fee to compete at the club.
Lee argues that poker is a game of skill and so it is not really gambling. He also quotes the original charter laid in Tombstone which is still in effect in the city, and extends the rights to citizens to operate cardrooms.
“I think Tombstone is the first city that actually regulated gaming, and it was gamblers who actually did it,” Lee says. “I just think it’s a profession, and I think it’s legal in Arizona. All my life, I’ve liked freedom. I don’t understand people that don’t. I’m confused by that.”
No official move has been made against Lee, and no charges filed, but any day could be the one that Lee is brought before the judge. According to Lee, he can't wait for the opportunity.
February 3, 2008 |
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