The code currently permits only fraternal, charitable or religious social gambling. Oregon statutes, however, say that counties and cities can by ordinance authorize the playing or conducting of games in a private business, private club or a place of public accommodation.
The council discussed Mathews' request for about 30 minutes and then took a vote on whether to continue the discussion later at more length.
The vote was 3-2 in favor. The charter, however, requires four votes for something to pass or fail. Because there were not enough votes one way or the other, the motion must be brought back for another vote. That will be Dec. 15, when all councilors should be on hand.
Council members Doug Killin and Sharon Konopa voted against talking about it further, but Glenda Fleming, Bessie Johnson and Dick Olsen wanted to pursue it. Ralph Reid Jr. did not attend.
In the meantime, Mathews, who is in charge of entertainment at the First Round and represented owner Darlene Hopping, is to meet with Police Chief Joe Simon to address a number of questions the chief has about Mathews' plan. Mathews agreed to provide the council with ordinances from communities that permit poker games.
Mathews said his establishment is evolving into a more sports-oriented bar. His customers tell him that they see poker played on ESPN and they want a place to play in Albany.
"We are hoping to provide our customers with a safe, structured, fun and legal place to play one of the greatest games of poker around, ‘Texas Hold'em,'" he said.
The First Round would provide a maximum of four tables with up to nine players at each table. Gaming would start at 5 p.m. on Sundays and last until closing.
Security would be a non-issue, he said, because there would be five bouncers on the staff and he has in-house video surveillance to keep track of what goes on at the tables.
Cash would be controlled by the shift manager, who would act as the cashier. Players would buy and redeem their chips with the cashier.
Dealers would be First Round employees and would be paid by the hour, so would not work for tips. All money played on a table would stay with the players, and neither the First Round nor the dealer would have a stake in the money in play.
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When opening in tight games in any position or loose games in late position, your attention should be on getting heads up with a blind or outright stealing the blinds.
