Play your cards right with poker... or else

The cautions dished out recently by the Gambling Commission to three men as a result of illegal poker being played in the function room of Cheshire pub the Cherry Tree in Linkway, Runcorn, serve as a reminder to publicans to ensure that any gambling taking place on their premises is within the law.

Two of the three were cautioned for their part in providing unlawful gambling. The third was cautioned for allowing the premises to be used for unlawful gambling.

Low-stakes poker is permitted in pubs as long as the maximum staked per premises per day is under £100 and the maximum individual stake is £5 per person per game.

In October last year, the commission published its leaflet: 'Poker in pubs: advice on allowing poker in alcohol licensed premises' to educate the trade about what is and is not allowed. It says that it has evidence that, while a number of poker leagues are operating legitimate low-stakes poker around the country, in some instances the stakes and prizes limits are being breached.

If you breach these limits, you risk prosecution. Following the Runcorn case, Alan Green, the commission's regional compliance manager for the North West, said: "This serves as a reminder to those responsible for managing pubs of their responsibility to monitor gaming on their premises."

So, if you are considering running a poker night or a more extensive poker tournament, you may wish to take advice to ensure that you do not break the rules.