JustinInMN
4 of a Kind
I don't get this at all.
https://www.pokernews.com/news/2024/03/the-villages-poker-game-feuds-45519.htm
https://www.pokernews.com/news/2024/03/the-villages-poker-game-feuds-45519.htm
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Why would a retirement community in Florida think banning poker is a good idea? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter JustinInMN
- Start date
4SUMERZ
Flush
Isn't Florida banning most things lately?
I am not a Villages resident, but I have made several visits there and have enjoyed the poker tournaments. And I am considering living there part time or full-time when I retire, so I am watching the situation closely.
I believe for the moment poker for cash prizes is banned at just one Rec Center - Laurel Manor. The supposed reason for this ban is an altercation occurred at one of the games where the police had to be called. The Executive Director of Recreation and Parks, John Rohan, decided that the best way to respond to this situation was to ban poker for cash prizes at the location where it occurred. The organizers were told that paying out in gift cards would be acceptable. At first glance, this makes no sense to me, but I believe there is a larger theme at play.
Approximately a decade ago, John Rohan attempted to shut down poker for money at all of the Villages recreation facilities. A group of poker playing residents who had been lawyers took action (exactly what they did, I do not know) against this attempt and the problem went away. As was told to me by a former Villages resident, John has a real issue with gambling.
Strictly speaking, poker in the Villages does not comply with Florida laws. Florida has some of the most restrictive gambling laws in the country. The maximum someone legally can win in any game is $10. Clearly very few people are going to be interested in playing in a tournament where the most they can win is $10.
There is also a horse racetrack / card casino just outside of the villages, called Oxford Downs. They would certainly benefit if poker were shut down in the Villages, so I would not be surprised to find their influence is having some impact on the current situation.
I believe for the moment poker for cash prizes is banned at just one Rec Center - Laurel Manor. The supposed reason for this ban is an altercation occurred at one of the games where the police had to be called. The Executive Director of Recreation and Parks, John Rohan, decided that the best way to respond to this situation was to ban poker for cash prizes at the location where it occurred. The organizers were told that paying out in gift cards would be acceptable. At first glance, this makes no sense to me, but I believe there is a larger theme at play.
Approximately a decade ago, John Rohan attempted to shut down poker for money at all of the Villages recreation facilities. A group of poker playing residents who had been lawyers took action (exactly what they did, I do not know) against this attempt and the problem went away. As was told to me by a former Villages resident, John has a real issue with gambling.
Strictly speaking, poker in the Villages does not comply with Florida laws. Florida has some of the most restrictive gambling laws in the country. The maximum someone legally can win in any game is $10. Clearly very few people are going to be interested in playing in a tournament where the most they can win is $10.
There is also a horse racetrack / card casino just outside of the villages, called Oxford Downs. They would certainly benefit if poker were shut down in the Villages, so I would not be surprised to find their influence is having some impact on the current situation.
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They haven’t banned the hoards of people flocking there.
4SUMERZ
Flush
Hard to ban people ..but I have a feeling that.....if they could....
Lil Tuna
4 of a Kind
The Villages is unique, even in FL. We have more than a few Villages refugees down here around Sarasota/Bradenton.
IMO, the restrictive atmosphere up there is stifling, and not healthy -- we never even considered it as a possible retirement location.
IMO, the restrictive atmosphere up there is stifling, and not healthy -- we never even considered it as a possible retirement location.
OP
OP
JustinInMN
4 of a Kind
I don't think this is a "Florida banning" it in terms of a government ban, but a decision from a busybody residential association, one that apparently covers a substantial number of residents.
4SUMERZ
Flush
It is sort of a gray area as far as playing poker for money according to Florida statute 849.08
Penny ante poker is 100% ok.
Sign me up!!
After reading the “article” linked above, I wondered if there was even an issue to discuss. It’s a garbage piece of journalism that might pass for the junior high school newspaper.
Thanks for what you wrote.
LiveCashGuy
High Hand
Just woke ideology aimed at sexualizing children.
4SUMERZ
Flush
Why is everyone taking this so seriously...it's a poker site, not a political forum. Who cares what the Villages do with their poker.
Someone posing with your username turned it in that direction.
Lil Tuna
4 of a Kind
The Villages to me is the champion of un-fun things. They are so god damn lame they have a limit on how many days a person under 55 can be in the community. Last I checked it was like a month or something. I legit think they hate fun so that might it lol
doctorchips
Pair
This looks like a fever dream vision of my personal hell.
In my country, retired people, becoming uninhibited as they approach their deaths, go to sparsely populated villages with no youngsters at all, to play poker and backgammon, to drink raki, to have swing sex and walk on mountain trails. 
Sign me upIn my country, retired people, becoming uninhibited as they approach their deaths, go to sparsely populated villages with no youngsters at all, to play poker and backgammon, to drink raki, to have swing sex and walk on mountain trails.
snakster1966
Sitting Out
I’ll be moving there in the next month or so (from PA). Don't really care if there is a game in the local rec center. I’m planning on having a micro stakes game on my lanai periodically on barrington table. I suspect I’ll be able to find some card players in the neighborhood.
Just be careful of the prevailing attitudes. Someone might rat you out to the HOA or other authorities to shut you down for the sake of "purity", freedom be damned.
DrStrange
4 of a Kind
Be sure to read the HOA rules / deed restrictions. REALLY, read that stuff. You are signing a contract that greatly restricts your property rights in hopes of creating a beneficial environment. Don't count on the sales agent's version of reality.
Does it restrict poker? Do the dead restrictions have some language about illegal / immoral activities? Who can call for enforcement? What you do in sight of the neighbors is more restricted than what you do out of sight inside.
The penalties are often draconian up to and including the loss of your house. You also are likely liable for the HOA legal costs even if you win a court case.
Best to figure this out up front. Some of the "over 55" communities are highly regimented by their deed restrictions. Don't be the sad sack selling their home at a steep loss in 18 months, angry over the enforcement Nazis fining you over some ticky-tacky rule violations.
Does it restrict poker? Do the dead restrictions have some language about illegal / immoral activities? Who can call for enforcement? What you do in sight of the neighbors is more restricted than what you do out of sight inside.
The penalties are often draconian up to and including the loss of your house. You also are likely liable for the HOA legal costs even if you win a court case.
Best to figure this out up front. Some of the "over 55" communities are highly regimented by their deed restrictions. Don't be the sad sack selling their home at a steep loss in 18 months, angry over the enforcement Nazis fining you over some ticky-tacky rule violations.
I recently learned about "Kaufman language," which is basically a reference to the phrase "as amended from time to time" in HOA covenants.
Florida just passed a law that restricts the power of HOAs in many ways, but this law only applies to existing HOAs if Kaufman language is used in their rules. One Sarasota HOA continues to prohibit pickup trucks and work vehicles from parking overnight in homeowners' driveways - this is illegal under the new law, but because of the lack of Kaufman language, it seems like the new law doesn't apply in this case. (Source)
Read your documents.
Florida just passed a law that restricts the power of HOAs in many ways, but this law only applies to existing HOAs if Kaufman language is used in their rules. One Sarasota HOA continues to prohibit pickup trucks and work vehicles from parking overnight in homeowners' driveways - this is illegal under the new law, but because of the lack of Kaufman language, it seems like the new law doesn't apply in this case. (Source)
Read your documents.
Many, including Lakewood Ranch.
Yes, and so few homebuyers do...
Like @snakster1966 , I am looking to move there too in the next year or less, so be on the lookout for downsizing chip sales
I know there are restrictions and sorry, but those houses are not going down in price. Part of the desire is the rules that keep it nice and clean looking, not junked up with lawn ornaments.
Tampa Hardrock is 1+ hours away, several card rooms are close, which is 100% better than GA gambol. If all I can play is free bar poker and occasional $.05/.10 then so be it.
Did I mention the plethora of buy 1 get 2 drink specials? And golf carts, come on, who can hate on that?
I know there are restrictions and sorry, but those houses are not going down in price. Part of the desire is the rules that keep it nice and clean looking, not junked up with lawn ornaments.
Tampa Hardrock is 1+ hours away, several card rooms are close, which is 100% better than GA gambol. If all I can play is free bar poker and occasional $.05/.10 then so be it.
Did I mention the plethora of buy 1 get 2 drink specials? And golf carts, come on, who can hate on that?
ekricket
Royal Flush
Looks good from the outside, but do you really want to live in a corporate ruled institution that’s led by a leader elected by apathetic voters?
If you live near people that have to have rules and enforcement just to keep their property cleaned up you are going to have worse problems down the road. Good people take care of their shit even when there are no rules. I’d rather live somewhere where the people take care of their stuff because that’s the kind of people they are.
So would we all, but without rules, that sort of utopia doesn't last long. Plus there are economies of scale to be had in larger communities, such as our Lakewood Ranch, which has over 20,000 residents -- and very, very few apathetic voters besides the snowbirds.
I had a Ford Econoline extra-long van when we moved down here (necessary to move the wine, Scotch, plants, and a few other things that the movers couldn't or wouldn't handle), and having to park it in the garage from 11pm to 7am was a small price to pay to live in a really nice neighborhood.
You're lucky to live in a spacious neighborhood with very good neighbors, Kevin. Those of us in more densely populated areas with common areas and facilities need the order assured by HOAs.
Everything is a trade, we trade our lives to work for money to give us necessities and stability and hopefully something to call our own. We trade our freedom for security and order, our income for government to function (sometimes better, sometimes not), and our bodies for fast food, alcohol, and tobacco. Do I like everything about everything? Never, but I am willing to trade for opportunities to be part of an active community and have shit to do other than just work and home.
Did I mention golf carts? 2 for 1 drink specials from 11-7? Nightly live entertainment? Thousands of clubs and activities? Sure, there will be Karens, but I can read and avoid most of them, and I don't need yard art. I believe there are over 150,000 residents, bound to be a few home games.
snakster1966
Sitting Out
There is no HOA in The Villages, but I hear you.
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