Rules for gambling

The rules, or laws for gambling would depend on where you live. If in the USA then you will find that many cities and towns list it as illegal, though rarely will someone who has a game in their home even if they do this on a regular basis will find themselves raided by the police. As you have said many times cops themselves particpate in such games. As for rules for gambling that is a different subject and depends on what rules what games you are following. With the popularity of Texas Hold Em in the USA many people are finding that they will have such tournament gatherings in their homes, with a set number of chips given to all players all players doing a buy in of 5, 10 and at times as high as 50 dollars, with 20 dollars being the most common amount, at least in this area of New Jersey. The regular rules for Texas Hold Em are in place, the buy in's and pay outs are determined by the person running in, who is usually open to others opinions and will often ask if everyone agrees prior to stating the pay out, example game of say two tables of maybe 12 players, do you do re-buys or not, that is determined by the group prior to play, if anyone takes the re-buys then the pay out will change. Example same 12 players, you have 2 tables of six each to start, until 4 are knocked out to make a "final table" With those 12 each putting in 20 dollars the amount collected would be 240, so you can pay out 140 to first place, then split the other hundred between second and third, with the money from the re-buys to be determined prior to play. example if you get 2 rebuys you can add 20 to any of the positions or add 40 to any of the first second or third place spots or add it to a 4th place. Often I have seen such a situation where the pay out would be aprox 120, 80, 40, for first second third, first rebuy changes it to 140, 80, 40 second rebuy can change it to 140, 100, 40, third rebuy could change it to 140, 100, 40, 20 with the fourth rebuy of the group I descriped adding 20 to the top spot. or to the 3rd place spot. Usually to the top spot making the pay out 160, 100, 40, 20 But again this varies to whom ever is hosting the Texas Hold Em and if they are doing tournamet form. Some games are what is referred to as a cash game because they will use the chips to represent nickles, dimes and quarters, and put in cash in a pot for the number of chips they get, with usually a minimum of starting at 5 or 10 dollars, I have even seen one man hand over 5 dollars to another player with more chips because he wanted to make a larger bet and the guy with the more chips give five dollars worth of chips to the person who was about to be dropped from the game. So the rules are what you make of them, the laws vary and are often specific to local areas. If you have specific concerns regarding the laws in your area, then it couldn't hurt to ask someone official who may know, or to research local city and county and state ordanences.

Note: This is for the United States. As I understand it, yes, technically gambling at all for money in your home is illegal. But of course it is hardly ever enforced, as your dad will tell you. So you are generally safe to shuffle up and deal. Usually the only time people get busted is when the owner of the house takes a rake (or a commission) from the game. Also if you play more of a house-type game such as blackjack for real money (a game in which the house has a bank). Understand I am not a lawyer, just a former poker dealer. I asked this question to other dealers and floor people and this was generally the response I got. Obviously if a lawyer comes up with a different answer, go with what they say.