Gambling related articles
Underground
Poker: Everything You Need to Know
From Kyle Mcadams.
July 2019.
Poker is one of the most popular ways to gamble, available at land-based
casinos worldwide. But it's not just limited to licensed venues:
underground poker is an alternative way to play, without the standard
rules or regulations.
Underground poker games may take place in the back room of a bar, in a
club or even in someone's home. The definition is fairly loose: not all
underground poker games are illegal, depending on the jurisdictional laws.
In some cases, underground poker may be legal provided the host makes no
money and charges no entry fees.
People organizing underground poker games can earn money by selling
alcohol and snacks to guests too.
While it may seem like a fun, informal way to enjoy gaming with friends,
underground poker can be risky - even dangerous.
Losing Money from the Rake
One of the biggest dangers of underground poker is losing money to 'the
rake' (commission).
This means the host will take a percentage from the pot, profiting from
players' bets. The size of the rake will vary from one underground poker
game to the next, and during sessions with low stakes, the host can end up
taking significant amounts from potential winnings.
As a result, yourself and fellow players could all lose a lot of money
without realizing.
The Risk of Robbery
Land-based casinos traditionally employ security guards, install
surveillance equipment and remain vigilant against potential criminal
activity. Money is stored in a vault and preparations are in place to
handle robbery attempts.
Underground poker games, though, are much more vulnerable to theft. Even
if they're held in a venue with one or two people watching for suspicious
activity, a gang could still overpower them and rob players.
Your money wouldn't be insured, so you would lose everything with no way
to get it back.
No Guarantees of Payment
Taking part in an underground poker game means you have no guarantee of
payment when you win.
The host(s) could refuse to hand over your cash and leave you out of
pocket, without needing to offer a valid reason. In some environments,
refuting their claims may put you in physical danger.
Cheating
Another obvious risk of underground poker is cheating. Other players
could resort to unethical behavior to win your money, and the lack of
regulation or security means it could go unnoticed.
And if it's your word against the cheater's, how can you prove what they
were doing? Again, you may place yourself at risk.
Online Poker is Safer and More Secure
Playing online poker is a far safer, more reliable, more secure way to
enjoy this timeless game.
A vast range of online casinos offer a variety of poker games, allowing
you to play against the software or other players and live dealers.
Licensed online casinos employ Random Number Generators (RNG) to ensure
fairness and use high-grade security to protect your details too.
There's also no risk of robbery or being arrested.
As you can see, the risk versus the reward of underground poker shows
it's simply not worth taking the chance. Stick to licensed venues only.
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