Mayfair Club

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Mayfair Club originally started out as a bridge and backgammon club, but eventually became "the most touted card club in New York until its abrupt closing by the authorities in 2000."[1] Unlike the other gamehalls in NY, The Mayfair Club kept a low profile in a basement. The games and tournaments were dealt by the players as opposed to professional dealers in a casino environment. Mayfair Club's games were also noted for their high stakes and elite competition.[2]

The Mayfair Club developed a reputation as a training ground for poker players in the mid eighties as a result of a small group of elite players who played at the club.[3] In the 1987 World Series of Poker Mayfair Club regulars Steve Zolotow and Erik Seidel finished in fifth and second place. This strong showing was repeated in 1988. Jay Heimowitz finished in 11th place, Dan Harrington in 6th, and Howard Lederer in 5th.[4] As of July 2007, these five former Mayfair Club players have won a total of 20 World Series of Poker bracelets, three World Poker Tour titles, and numerous other poker accolades. They have also written numerous books and articles. The Mayfair was also home court for business executive Wendeen Eolis, the first woman to cash in the main event of the World Series of Poker in 1986. Other famous players such as Noli Francisco, Stu Ungar, Jason Lester, and Paul Magriel became club regulars, too, further enhancing the clubs reputation as the premier poker club in New York. Later, the Chesterfield Club in the film Rounders was modeled after the Mayfair Club.[5]

As the state of New York considers poker to be a game of chance, it is legal to play, but illegal to garner a profit.[2] In other words, one can legally play and win, but operating a poker club is illegal.[6] For years, The Mayfair Club and other established underground poker clubs, were an "open secret among law enforcement officials."[7] Prior to 2000, whenever a poker club was closed down by the police, it was due to other criminal offenses (usually drugs or weapons) not because of poker.[2] In 2000, Mayor Giuliani's "Quality of Life" campaign led to the closure of the Mayfair Club and other game halls in New York.[2]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Eolis, Wendeen. Documentary Film Shines Bright Light on New York Poker 2/6/06. Poker Player Magazine
  2. ^ a b c d New York City Cardrooms Feel the Pinch in Recent Spat of Shutdowns Cardplayer Magazine.
  3. ^ Howard Lederer's Biography
  4. ^ Moe, Al. Legends of Poker: Dan Harrington Poker News. January 24, 2006.
  5. ^ Brian Koppelman Mayfair Club: An Elegy for a Carpet Joint New York Observer
  6. ^ Yankees tell A-Rod to avoid illegal poker clubs Associated Press. November 2, 2005.
  7. ^ Peterson, Nancy. Clubs Get More Profitable, Harder to Find Online Poker Center.