Artichoke Joe's folds to Feds
Artichoke Joe's in San Bruno was the go-to card room to play $6-$12 limit Texas Hold'em poker in the San Francisco Bay Area because of its competitive $4 collection fee that included a Bad Beat jackpot and a royal flush payout. A two hour period between 5:00pm - 7:00pm included bonuses for a straight flush that paid out $200 and four of a kind paid $100. Bay 101 Casino and Garden City Casino in San Jose charge the same $5 collection fee, but without the jackpots and bonuses because of city laws. A good deal for a player looking to increase the odds of winning.
On March 2, 2011, federal agents raided Artichoke Joe's and closed the casino indefinitely after federal agents raided the card room over allegations that loan sharks advanced money to broke players at exorbitant rates and then threatened them with violence to get repayment according to the Bay Area News Group. A bad beat for legit players such as doctors, lawyers, retirees, blue collar workers, and others who play there to relax. My YouTube video "Poker/casino chip tricks-How to handle chips like a pro" used the casino's $1 chips and luckily I cashed them in at the end of February.
I played limit poker there once a month and rarely went over to the "Dark Side" as one manager remarked concerning the Asian games in the casino. It is now out of my rotation and am now limited to Lucky Chances in Colma, Bay 101, and Garden City. All have had similar problems in the past and will always cash out all my chips knowing that they can be next.
Late Breaking News (March 10, 2011)
From Artichoke Joe's website: Reopening FRIDAY MARCH 11, 10 A. M.
Artichoke Joe's Reopening on Friday, March 11, 2011 The State Gambling Control Commission ratified an agreement today (March 10, 2011) that permits Artichoke Joe's to reopen on Friday, March 11, 2011. New security measures and procedures are being implemented immediately to ensure the highest possible standards. We do not and will not condone any illegal activity on or near the Casino. Thank you for your expressions of well wishes during this past week. We look forward to seeing you soon.
On March 2, 2011, federal agents raided Artichoke Joe's and closed the casino indefinitely after federal agents raided the card room over allegations that loan sharks advanced money to broke players at exorbitant rates and then threatened them with violence to get repayment according to the Bay Area News Group. A bad beat for legit players such as doctors, lawyers, retirees, blue collar workers, and others who play there to relax. My YouTube video "Poker/casino chip tricks-How to handle chips like a pro" used the casino's $1 chips and luckily I cashed them in at the end of February.
I played limit poker there once a month and rarely went over to the "Dark Side" as one manager remarked concerning the Asian games in the casino. It is now out of my rotation and am now limited to Lucky Chances in Colma, Bay 101, and Garden City. All have had similar problems in the past and will always cash out all my chips knowing that they can be next.
Late Breaking News (March 10, 2011)
From Artichoke Joe's website: Reopening FRIDAY MARCH 11, 10 A. M.
Artichoke Joe's Reopening on Friday, March 11, 2011 The State Gambling Control Commission ratified an agreement today (March 10, 2011) that permits Artichoke Joe's to reopen on Friday, March 11, 2011. New security measures and procedures are being implemented immediately to ensure the highest possible standards. We do not and will not condone any illegal activity on or near the Casino. Thank you for your expressions of well wishes during this past week. We look forward to seeing you soon.