Black Friday Sucked!

By the time you read this, the anniversary of “Black Friday” will have come and gone. I still find it hard to believe that our lawmakers are denying Americans the right to play online poker. Occasionally one of my friends who doesn’t understand the politics of poker will ask me why our lawmakers have taken this stance against playing poker online and the simple truth is I DON’T KNOW.

I really can’t think of one legitimate reason for there to be an online poker ban. I hear a lot of excuses thrown around by the uneducated, but quite frankly, that’s all they really are is excuses because they make no sense. For instance there’s the myth that if we allowed online gaming in our homes, we would all become out of control problem gamblers. If you believe this, please do some fact checking…studies in countries where online poker is legal have shown no increase in compulsive gambling since online poker has been legalized. What is really silly about this excuse is that it is hypocritical. What’s the difference between it being legal to play at home and it being legal to play in a brick-and-mortar cardroom?

One of the saddest aftereffects of Black Friday is that many Americans have had to leave this country in order to pursue their livelihood. Can you even imagine having to say goodbye to a son, daughter, brother, aunt, father, or even to a friend who was forced to take the drastic step of moving to another country in order to make a living?

I’ve read the estimate that 50 million people in this country play poker at least a little bit. Why don’t they have the same rights that citizens of other countries have? I don’t know how you feel about it, but it’s very embarrassing to be teased by friends from across the border about being the “land of the free” while not being able to log in and play a few orbits from home.

I was a guest recently on The Final Table with Dennis Phillips and Paul Harris. During the show, a question came up about online poker and as usual, I went off into a rant about how illogical it is that I, a tax-paying citizen, can’t play online poker in the privacy of my home. I further stated that I believe the online ban is discriminatory against anyone who can’t physically get to a casino to play poker.

That evening Paul Harris forwarded an email from one of the listeners. It touched me so much that I’d like to quote parts of it for you here.

Dear Paul and Dennis,

I’m a huge fan of your Final Table Poker radio show. I listen online every week from my home in Wisconsin. I don’t think I have enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed it this week, and it’s all because of something your guest Linda Johnson talked about on your show.
You see I was born with a muscle disease called Spinal Muscular Atrophy which is a progressive disease that causes your muscles to weaken over time. Because of it, I’m mainly home and bed bound.

While talking about the legalization of online poker, Linda brought up a topic that so many people in our government forget about: the elderly and the disabled. Before Black Friday, I would put $50 in my online account and play the 10-cent- 25-cent real cash games. That $50 would usually last me the whole month, and most months, I would still have a little extra money left over in my account.

Because of my situation, I live on a fixed income. The $50 that I put in my poker account is what I put aside for entertainment. I can’t get to the movies or go to dinner with my friends like most folks do. I think I deserve to have a little entertainment in my life, but apparently our government doesn’t agree.

It was certainly refreshing to listen to Linda Johnson talk about how she sympathizes with so many disabled and elderly citizens like me who aren’t able to get to our local casinos and poker rooms. This definitely is a violation of our rights.

Since Black Friday, a big part of my life has truly been missing. I love and respect the game of poker and the men and women who play it. I hope that someday soon I’ll be back grinding away in the cheap seats on an online table near your listeners and you.

It’s just too bad that we don’t have more people in Washington who can see the big picture. Why is it that we can go off to war and fight for our country, but we can’t play online poker in it? How ridiculous is that?

Your faithful listener in Black Creek, Wisconsin,

Todd A.

Thanks for your email Todd. Let’s hope that our lawmakers come to their senses soon. I know they can create silly excuses to try to justify their position, but with our current economic downswing, how can they rationalize turning away billions of dollars in tax revenue and all the jobs that online poker in the United States would create? Let’s hope there is no two-year anniversary of Black Friday! ♠

Linda Johnson is a member of the Poker Hall of Fame and the Women in Poker Hall of Fame. She is a WSOP gold-bracelet winner and is available to host tournaments, seminars, and corporate events. You can contact her through her website www.cardplayercruises.com.