A poker game among friends is turning into
a legal battle.
Last Summer, Greer police arrested a group of friends
for playing poker, because state law considers it gambling. An attorney
now hopes a judge will decide the law is unconstitutional.
The state law considers any game with cards or dice
gambling, even if money is not exchanged.
It's what a lot of people do for fun- pull out the cards
and the chips for a low-stakes game of poker. Sixteen friends chipped
in some money for a game at the Brushy Meadows clubhouse in Greer
in August 2005.
"Friendly game at a private clubhouse," says
attorney Jeff Phillips. "About 16 people total entered. They
each paid 100 dollars to enter." They paid an even higher price
when Greer Police raided the party inside, searched them and slapped
the cuffs on them.
Here's why Greer Police busted up the poker game. A
South Carolina law, written in the 1800's says it's illegal to play
any game with cards or dice. If you're caught, you can go to jail
for up to twelve months and pay a $2,000 fine for every offense.
Jeff Phillips represents five of the men who were arrested
for gambling. "This was their Saturday afternoon entertainment
and enjoyment. Instead of playing golf, they played poker," Phillips
said.
Some of the men charged have paid their fines, but Phillips
says his clients believe it's wrong for poker to be illegal, and he
thinks the law needs to be changed. Phillips thinks their Texas Hold
'Em game is nothing like video poker, which is also illegal in this
state.
His opinion is video poker is strictly a game of luck,
regular poker isn't. "It's a combination of luck, but also requires
a great deal of skill. And over time, the more skillful player will
wins," Phillips said.
Phillips hopes a judge will overturn the old law, as
unconstitutional and throw out the case. It's possible state lawmakers
will take a second look at the law.
Until then, you're taking a big risk making a friendly
wager across the table.
"I hope when they do revisit it," Phillips
said, "that whatever they decide is prohibited activity and allowable
activity- that they make it clear that it's okay to play poker in
your house if you'd like."