SC Court: Home Poker Games are Illegal

A high court has spoken: In one southeastern state, even a home game of poker can get you thrown in the pokee.  It’s a ruling that is renewing calls for the state legislature to change what some consider to be a ridiculous law.

FOX News Radio’s Chris Hoenig has the story:

The State Supreme Court in South Carolina says any organized poker game, even in a private home, is illegal.

(Kenny Rogers – The Gambler) “You got to know when to hold ’em…”

The ruling comes on an appeal of a raid on a 2006 home game near Charleston, where 25 people were ticketed for illegal gambling.

(O.A.R. – Crazy Game of Poker) “That was a crazy game of poker (that was a crazy game)…”

The law at question has been on the books since 1802, and bars any game with cards or dice – which technically means even Monopoly is illegal in the state.  Legislators tried to push a bill last year that would have made friendly poker home games legal, but it never made it to the floor for debate.

Chris Hoenig, FOX News Radio.