Poker Players Getting Together

Published: Friday, July 29, 2005 Online-Casinos.com

POKER PLAYERS GETTING TOGETHER

A collective voice for poker players

With an estimated 50 million or more online and land poker players in the United States alone, and the phenomenal popularity of the game on a global scale, it is not surprising that the need for a unifying body for poker players is being discussed.

This week Poker News interviewed the latest manifestation of that need - the recently launched National Poker Association (myNPA.org)

Located in Franklin, Tennessee but with big ambitions to embrace all poker players, the NPA has apparently already been able to procure some excellent benefits for members and has growing appeal for players at a very reasonable cost ( a one year membership costs $25).

President Wes Parker said that the organisation may be moving to the more appropriate location of Las Vegas within the next year. The NPA, he told Poker News is designed for the everyday poker player and would like to become the lobbying group for poker players everywhere, expanding the game. By being "...a forceful lobby for the game of poker, we hope to have an impact in that area, among others, including legislation," he said.

Another key objective is to secure favourable discounts and other benefits for NPA members, and good progress has been made in partnering with many companies resulting in travel, hotel and car rental deals. The committee is also investigating insurance possibilities for players.

Parker says one of the difficulties faced by the NPA has been informing the massive poker playing public about their aims and organisation, although the NPA has been listed on Google.

"We are looking for the grassroots player, much like the USGA does with golf," he says. "We want to represent everyone who plays the game, not just the big names in the sport or the professional players.

"Poker is mainstream America now, not just in the backrooms and the shadows anymore. As our membership and the sport grows, we will have a more powerful voice to be able to have an effect on the matters that are affecting players in the sport today."

Another, and perhaps more structured, if parochial organisation is the United States Poker Association (Foruspa.org) which has more of a trade association flavour and has various programs designed to meet specific industry requirements:

Establish, in close conjunction with the tournament directors, a uniform set of rules for the competitive play of the game.

Develop grass-roots support for legalisation of poker rooms in those areas that currently prohibit them.

Facilitate discussions among parties interested in expanding competitive event revenues for all participants.

Establish policies and procedures for the endorsement of poker rooms and casino card rooms.

Establish uniform standards for internet poker rooms to assure consistent and fair play.

Conduct educational seminars for the general public to promote the expansion of competitive play.