NEW YORK TIMES
CHICAGO, June 4 - Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota signed legislation on Friday legalizing Texas hold`em poker tournaments in the state.
The law adds Texas hold`em to the list of legal card games, which includes bridge, euchre and pinochle. It makes tournaments legal as long as sponsors receive no financial benefits, the total prize money is less than $200 and there are no entry fees.
"It`s a big deal for the whole state of Minnesota," said Dave Bischoff, the owner of the Granite Bowl bar in St. Cloud. Mr. Bischoff started organizing free weekly Texas hold`em tournaments, one of which was raided last year by the state authorities, to boost business at his bar on Mondays. Now, up to 100 people play in the tournaments every week.
In Texas hold`em, each player gets two cards face down and five common cards are dealt face up between rounds of betting.
