Proposed card room in Lodi: No reason it can't be clean, safe and well-operated

I first learned how to play poker when I was 6 or 7 years old, playing for my relatives' caches of pennies on most major holidays.

Being a young man who quickly identified the value of money, I rapidly gained a certain awareness to the strategies and nuances employed by others to be successful at this great game.

Like many, many Lodians, I have been playing poker games with friends since high school. I must also admit to playing in several local Texas Hold 'em tournaments over the last few years. I actually had the good fortune to win one tournament at an event hosted by Lodi's premiere cigar smoking establishment, Stogie's. I am not at all ashamed to admit that I know more than a little about how this game is played.

The proposed Wine Country Casino, which I live within walking distance of, is planning to locate in the quarters formerly occupied by Jazzy J's. While WCC may be called a "casino," it would be nothing like the casinos that one may conjure up in his or her imagination. This place of business would be better called a card room. There would be nothing even resembling the Vegas or Reno type slot machines, craps, roulette tables, etc.

This card room would mainly cater to those who choose to test their poker playing abilities against other like-minded enthusiasts.

The main game that would be played at WCC is Texas Hold 'em, a type of poker that pits players against one another, in this type of game there is no playing against the "house." In most card rooms, the house makes money usually by charging a set rate for each player for the privilege of taking a seat at the table.

This fee at Lodi's one existing card room is now set at $6 an hour. The only way the house can increase its take is to increase the amount of players. Some card rooms do take a percentage of each pot rather than charge an hourly rate.

Who wins and who loses is of no concern to reputable card rooms.

The other main game that is proposed for WCC is pai gow poker, an Americanized version of Asian dominoes changed to mimic traditional poker. This game is played against the house and thus carries a certain amount of Las Vegas-type stigma.

The morality of playing cards for money has been debated for hundreds of years. In a perfect world there would be no need for cards. However, considering the total amount of temptation available to each and every person on this Earth, it seems to me that believing card rooms to be a primary cause of social degeneration is, to a certain degree, puritanical.

Those who are for whatever reason predisposed to recklessly risk their or their families' livelihoods have many avenues to squander away their money. The California lottery and scratchers are everywhere, and a new keno draw on those same computer lines is accomplished every 10-12 minutes. Indian casinos are within a 45-minute drive.

The amount of illegal activity that would be generated by this establishment would be, by my estimates, very similar to those caused by the former Jazzy J's, which during the evening transformed itself into a nightclub. Those complaints were, from all indications, minimal at best.

Card rooms of today are a far cry from the Wild West versions of yesteryear. Security and decorum are now essential elements to any well-run establishment. Most arguments to the contrary are to me, more visceral than reasoned.

It is my humble opinion that Lodi's moral fabric is spun tightly enough to endure whatever detrimental effects, whether they be real or imagined, may or may not transpire.

I guess you could say that "I'm all in."

J. Kurt Roberts can be reached at jkurtroberts@sbcglobal.net.

Reader Feedback

Si Mama wrote on Mar 26, 2007 3:21 PM:

" Yes, the holy rollers will spew their venemnous judgment! Then, they'll attend Sunday church to make themselves feel better about sinning. "

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Si Mama wrote on Mar 26, 2007 3:21 PM:

" Yes, the holy rollers will spew their venemnous judment! Then, they'll attend Sunday church to make themselves feel better about sinning. "

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LOL wrote on Mar 25, 2007 9:09 PM:

" The Holy Rollers are out in force tonight!! If you don`t like the law, work to change it! Don`t impugn the integrity of rational, tax paying, law abiding citizens! "

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Serenity Now!! wrote on Mar 25, 2007 9:01 PM:

" This city doesn`t need a cardroom here, instead of a dirty, empty building, how about we build a nice homeless shelter or drug rehab half-way house on this site? On second thought, a cardroom is not a bad idea.. "

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E.F.Howard wrote on Mar 25, 2007 8:26 PM:

" There is a problem already with Drugs,Theft,ect.A Nevada Tribes is working on putting a Casino at Flagg City, has rights because the Governor has approved of two Casino's on their land in Barstow. But the Nevada Tribe has the 60 + Millions Acres since 1863.25% should pay for Law enforcement, control of cime. The State now gets less than 3% now.Do the math.$250 Million for this area and 400+ Jobs,amusement park,Water Slides ect. We the concerns residents have seen the plan and have signed the 190 thousand pettition with everyone else and support the project. "

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biz wrote on Mar 25, 2007 1:53 AM:

" Step on the brake, Aren't ALL businesses out to make money? You act as if this cardroom is doing something wrong by starting abusiness to make money. That's a stupid argument. "

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T & C wrote on Mar 24, 2007 10:30 PM:

" Turner Road and Lower Sacramento Road would be a much better location. "

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Cherokee wrote on Mar 24, 2007 7:33 PM:

" This place is the PERFECT place for this cardroom! Right next to the highway on a site that CANNOT sustain a decent restauraunt. I for one would much prefer this very legal establishment taking care of this building and paying taxes than to have this building become an abandoned eyesore. "

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I Disagree wrote on Mar 24, 2007 2:50 PM:

" This is the best location for this operation. In a commercial area. It will be better than anything since Croce's. My goodness, the minimart across the street and immediately adjacent to the residential area is far more threatening than a card room and it has operated there for years with little or no problems. "

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Patricia wrote on Mar 24, 2007 12:36 PM:

" Mr. Roberts, you are as deluded as the rest of the "heads in the sand" bunch about the real issues of this situation. We are talking about a major impact on a residential area. Your personal like and expertise at gambling has nothing to do with the crime and economical impact on the neighborhood south of Kettleman. "

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Step on the brake.... wrote on Mar 24, 2007 8:44 AM:

" "Who wins and who loses is of no concern to reputable card rooms. "??? A casino goes into business for one reason and one reason only..."To MAKE as many $$$$$$as they can while minimizing the problems associated with a casino! Gambling, crime, prostitution, drunk driving are all problems that are associated with these type of "Innocent Casino's"! My opinion is... watch LNS police log and articles after it opens! Cherrokee Lane is the worst location for this casino...does anyone disagree? "

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