CCMIN011988 - Laserfiche WebLink

6. The allegation that the poker chips were not representing money value is inherently unbelievable for the following reasons: a. The game of poker is virtually never played for chips b. The game of poker is meaningless unless played for mon- ey because the sanction of money losses controls the style of play. For example, loss of money controls bluffing and, conversely, losee of the ante controls the conservative play of those who would wait for an extremely good hand before betting. c. Chips are used during lawful hours in the conduct of lawful games at Pastime Pool. It would be unreasonable to conclude that chips have no value after hours in the conduct of an unlawful game. d. If customers were given poker chips at no money cost after the bar had closed, then those poker chips could be saved by that customer and used as a representative of money value at that bar on a later date. e. That the reference to a "friendly game" is not persua- sive that there were no money stakes because in normal usage "friendly game" of poker refers to a game in which the stakes are low - no one has their home mortgage on the poker table. Based on the foregoing, a preponderance of the evidence sup- ports a conclusion that the poker chips being used at ap- proximately 3:00 a.m. on December 29, 1987 at Pastime Pool were representative of money value. 7. The nature of the cardroom business because of its relation- ship to gaming and the potential for dishonesty when money stakes are involved, requires a higher degree to regulation, as established by Chapter 6.12 P.M.C. Operators of Card Rooms are reasonably expected to exhibit a high degree of trustworthiness and strict adherence to the rules of conduct established in the Pleasanton Municipal Code. 8. The Police Chief acted properly and cautiously in that he provided the licensee with an opportunity to correct any er- ror and/or provide mitigating information prior to the deci- sion to suspend the cardroom license. be adopted. The roll call vote was as follows: AYES: Councilmembers Brandes, Butler, Mohr, and Mayor Mercer NOES: Councilmember Wilson ABSENT: None It was moved by Councilmember Butler, and seconded by Coun- cilmember, that the following conclusions of law be made: - 17 - 1-19-88