Florida Considers Legislation for Limit Poker

No limit hold em players in the state of Florida are holding their collective breaths in anticipation today as they await word of whether or not the game they love will soon be truly available at state's several Seminole casinos.  While a form of no limit is currently spread, it is rather prohibitive in its current rules as players are not allowed to buy into the game for more than $100.  However, there currently is a proposal before the Florida Senate which would increase this limitation.

As poker purists believe, when a player is only able to buy in for the $100 maximum, they are unable to use creative plays and bet sizing to push opponents off of hands, making the current manifestation a glorified version of limit poker with many more hands than expected going to a showdown than would be with higher buy in allotments. The very aspect that makes no limit a game of skill is being used to turn it into a game of chance.

What the new proposal is calling for should change the landscape of poker in the Sunshine State dramatically.  Looking to boost gaming revenue for the state by upwards of $1 billion per year, representatives are seeking to increase the maximum tournament buy in's allowed in order to pave the way for lucrative televised events to make their way to Florida, something which the state has sorely lacked in the past which would go a long way towards making Florida a prime destination for poker players.

Among the more controversial components of the bill is the portion which seeks to lower the minimum gambling age in Florida to 18, something which may put the changes in jeopardy because of the fear that younger gamblers would flock to casinos.  In addition, the proposal would also pave the way for the introduction of craps and roulette tables which would undoubtedly enhance the casino experience for all visitors.

It should be noted that this proposal is nowhere near being a forgone conclusion.  At the same time, there is another bill which is essentially proposing the exact opposite, looking to make the state's gaming laws even more prohibitive as it looks to do away with all card games currently being spread, an interesting stance considering the $6 billion deficit they currently find themselves in.

Source:  www.aintluck.com