Free, Indeed?

"I've noticed a couple of you come here and don't buy anything," the Tournament Director at Yvie's said before Monday night's game began. He was in a mood to give some people a lecture.

"If you're not going to spend money, don't bother showing up," he continued bluntly. He went on to explain his point - that bars such as Yvie's host poker nights because they expect players to buy food and drinks.

The Director's point is only logical. And as long as we've played in "free poker" situations like Yvie's, we've made it a point to buy at least a soda. It's simply the courteous thing to do - not to mention Biblical:

For the Scripture says, "Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain," and "The worker deserves his wages." - I Timothy 5:18

But on the other hand, that Tournament Director had better watch what he says - especially considering what's happened to poker rooms in our city in the last four months. Places expecting a "chair rental" buy-in either were shut down by police, or closed before the police showed up.

For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good.... - Romans 13:3-4

The Director put it this way: buying food and drinks on poker nights benefits Yvie's. But buying a Platinum WPT League membership benefits him. We trust he's telling the truth about that distinction. Whether police see things the same way could be another matter. We'll see.