There have been a number of poker venues started up on Long Island recently. The most visible and brazen is the Big Slick Social Club. The Club is located in Suffolk County (Bohemia), and has a permanent home. They maintain that they are completely legal because they charge membership fees and time fees at the tables (entrance fees for tournaments), rather than a rake from the pot. I guess they are using the model used by a number of clubs in Manhattan. The difference as I understand it is that they are easy to find, advertise on the internet, and try for publicity, rather than shy away from it (you also don't have to be invited to the club by a member). I consider it to be the first modern open card club on Long Island. It opened officially in December 2004. I know of another club that opened in January, but I only have one of their chips right now.

I have 2 of the Big Slick $1 chips with only small wear on the hot stamp, and one with some wear on the Ace card on one side. The chips are cheap, and will no doubt have to be replaced soon. On one of the chips I have, the hot stamp has nearly worn off on the reverse (that one will go back and is not being offered).

The chips look the same on the front and back. I will sell them for $3 each (because of the membership fee) or will entertain trades. First people to e-mail me with a purchase offer or acceptable trade offer get them.

Michael Siskin