|
Q. Are poker clubs like The Tilted Jack legal?
The most common answer is they aren’t illegal. There is a legal "gray area" when it comes to poker. We have worked hard to structure The Tilted Jack in such a way as to hopefully avoid any issues stemming from allegations of "illegal gambling" and "benefit" from same. Please feel free to bring this topic up at any of our nightly or monthly meetings. We are happy to discuss our operations with anyone and invite your inquiries. We believe that The Tilted Jack is completely legal because we operate as a not-for-profit cooperative, where every member is given the opportunity to freely be an equal owner with equal vote. We believe we are lawfully operating under the exceptions allowed for (1) Regulated Gambling, (2) Amusement Gambling AND (3) Social Gambling. The Cooperative Operating Agreement, combined with the Limited Liability Corporation Act, details how we qualify as a not-for-profit cooperative for all three of these gambling exceptions.
Q. Is smoking and/or drinking allowed?
No smoking in the room or within 20' of the entrance. No beer or liquor allowed in the room. The BYOB law changes that went into effect 7/28/10 now require a special license to allow people to consume alcoholic beverages on the premises. A special permit can be obtained for private parties or room rentals. We have a legal committee and special "consumption license" committee that are looking into obtaining a license to allow BYOB alcohol in the club. Until then, please do not bring alcohol into the club and keep in mind that we may also be responsible for what goes on in our parking lot. We may be liable if you drive home drunk, for example, after playing in our N/A club. Please respect the no alcohol rule when in the clubhouse.
Q. Do you need dealers?
We are always looking for quality dealers and staff.
All players/members/owners are encouraged to learn to become dealers. Ask us how!
Q. Does TTJ offer beginner seminars for those new to live, professional poker?
Yes. Poker clubs like The Tilted Jack are an excellent stepping stone for players looking to expand beyond home games, online or pub poker leagues. We reserve the last Sunday of each month at 11am for beginner seminars. You must RSVP for the next seminar by calling (602) 993-4727 after 7pm or leave a message. Whenever we have enough interest, we'll hold a seminar!
Q. Will TTJ offer classes for various skill levels?
Yes. We can accommodate individuals or groups looking to take their poker game to the next level. Intermediate and advanced game theory specifically for poker are excellent for deep situational analysis. Ask a floor manager for details about one-on-one poker tutors.
Q. Why does TTJ start with blinds at 5-10 rather than the usual 25-50?
Running our tournaments with blinds starting at 5-10 offers many advantages for our members. Everyone starts with a higher number of big blinds (250 vs 170) which generally leads to a more competitive final table. Meaning it won't be such an “all-in fest” quite nearly as fast as with higher starting blinds. (See charts below).
Regular Tournament |
25-50 |
# BBs |
|
5-10 |
# BBs |
|
Starting Chips Stack: |
4,000 |
80 |
|
1,000 |
100 |
+25% |
+ Bonus Chips (500): |
4,500 |
90 |
|
1,500 |
150 |
+66% |
+ Addon (Starting Stack): |
8,500 |
170 |
|
2,500 |
250 |
+47% |
It gets even more player-friendly the deeper-stacked we go!
Deep Stack Tournament |
25-50 |
# BBs |
|
5-10 |
# BBs |
|
Starting Chips Stack: |
8,000 |
160 |
|
2,000 |
200 |
+25% |
+ Bonus Chips (2000): |
10,000 |
200 |
|
4,000 |
400 |
+100% |
+ Addon (4000): |
14,000 |
280 |
|
8,000 |
800 |
+285% |
A 25-50 deep stack tournament would need to start players off with 400,000 chips to match the 5-10 format!
The 5-10 blind structure, combined with the starting stack size, creates a better final table. The example below shows how the 10K big blind at the final table in a 25-50 tournament after ten levels of play represents 23.8% of the average chip stack. In a 5-10 blind structure, the 1-2K big blind is only 8.3% of the average chips stack. This is why a tournament at The Tilted Jack may run 20 to 30 minutes longer, but it creates a more competitive and exciting final table, especially the closer we get to the bubble.
In a 27-seat deep stack tournament after 10 levels of play:
Final Table |
|
|
# BBs |
|
|
|
|
# BBs |
Average Chip Stack: |
|
|
4.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
Q. So now what?
As equal owners of this club all members should exercise their right to provide input on how we do what we do. We elect an executive committee to facilitate the desires of the membership at large. We need all members to embrace the cooperative spirit and help us with more innovative ideas and concepts by taking an active role in the cooperative. It will took our first year to establish our organization before converting to a cooperative. Our next step may be seeking tax-exempt, nonprofit corporation or association. Section 501(c) of the United States Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. § 501(c)), provides that 28 types of nonprofit organizations are exempt from some federal income taxes. Sections 503 through 505 set out the requirements for attaining such exemptions. Many states refer to Section 501(c) for definitions of organizations exempt from state taxation as well. But there are cons to becoming a non-profit, chief of which we lose our ability to lobby for the change necessary to fulfill our primary mission.
We have a few options available to achieve our mission. A Declaratory Action (sue the State for our rights to equal protection of the law and prohibiting our civil rights by refusing to regulate poker off reservation as they do on), a referandum, a direct ballot initiative, legislative action through the House of Representatives, a joint venture with any municipal body (which retains the right to authorize or prohibit all forms of "Amusements", which we contend must include Poker), and lastly, if charged with any crime, as a defendant in a criminal or civil case against the Cooperative.
The Tilted Jack Social Poker Club Cooperative
18425 N 19th Ave #112
Phoenix AZ 85023
(602) 993-4727
|
