Is it an offence to play poker (involving money) at home?

[GoldenDragon]

It's common understanding that mahjong and other table games are allowed in Singapore chalets. Chalets even provide mahjong tables that can be used for other card games. Bring your own mahjong sets or cards, that's all. You can't habitually rent chalets anyway.

There was once, after Sec. 4, awaiting O Level results, we rented a Pasir Ris chalet and played semi-strip mahjong. Two girls versus two guys (one of them was yours truly). Regular money rules for one to five doubles (those days 10c-20c with $6.40 limit per hand). Cross five doubles limit or in a pay-all throw, the tile thrower for gamer had to strip a piece of clothing, self-drawn across five doubles, all other three had to.

Guys limited to strip till only underwear left, girls limited to strip to bra and panties, first to reach limit and game over. It wasn't easy to cross five double limit so many times of course. We played from about 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. to get to one stripped to the limit. The unlucky one was a girl.

Can't habitually rent chalets? Bro, you are very wrong. Syndicates have no such problems in the past.

Many were arrested for mahjong games in the past. If committed today, no offence. Just play in designated locations exempted under the CGHA.

 

[Ramseth]

Many were arrested for mahjong games in the past. If committed today, no offence. Just play in designated locations exempted under the CGHA.

Those arrested were usually for water money mahjong. By designated locations, I think you mean clan association or club mahjong. I've watched my dad played in clan association before. Jeeze lord, the stakes were very high. Pocket no 4-figure better don't play, and that was 70s/80s money. That was my dad's rule of thumb anyway. Pocket no-figure don't play mahjong. Pocket no 5-figure don't play paigow.

 

[GoldenDragon]

Bro, with that statement, I think you have unwittingly revealed your identity. I know who you are now. You are the Chairman of the Casino Regulatory Authority!

Aiyoh bro, Chairman of CRA handles casino matters only. Nothing to do with underground dens. So, who am I?

 

[GoldenDragon]

For CGH, Section 2 provides the power to the minister to prescribe how the activity is to be controlled. This then allows him to specify why certain game of chance or games with a degree of chance are not allowed in certain settings. The clan can play certain games and Golden Dragon has identified them while others are forbidden. Notice nowhere in the act does the actual games such poker, mahjong etc are mentioned accept for lottery. Besides Gazetting, there are also process and procedures that have to be followed. The law also has second set of control in identifying a rank in this case an ASP. Quiet unusual for such a ranking person while most acts give powers to Sgt and above.

I am just guessing why an ASP is needed for this Act. I think it's because doors need to be broken down and police bosses don't want its officers to suka suka break down house doors etc. Just my guess. ASPs then were big shots. Today it is nothing.

 

[scroobal]

No. ..........

Let's make it simple again. I will put an amended version of TS's question to you :
Is it illegal to have 3 tables of people play poker (involving money) at home?

You only have to answer "yes" or "no".

 

[scroobal]

Spot on. When the law was first enacted, some of the land divisions were headed by an ASP. And there used to only one in each .

Both Gambling and prosititution brought down the careers of many senior people.

I am just guessing why an ASP is needed for this Act. I think it's because doors need to be broken down and police bosses don't want its officers to suka suka break down house doors etc. Just my guess. ASPs then were big shots. Today it is nothing.

 

[scroobal]

The running of Mahjong and many of the games such as paigow in the old days ( not dens) helped many housewives to supplement their household income and send their children for higher education. it was a necessity and it was not meant to buy expensive cars.

Those arrested were usually for water money mahjong. By designated locations, I think you mean clan association or club mahjong. I've watched my dad played in clan association before. Jeeze lord, the stakes were very high. Pocket no 4-figure better don't play, and that was 70s/80s money. That was my dad's rule of thumb anyway. Pocket no-figure don't play mahjong. Pocket no 5-figure don't play paigow.

 

[busdriver111]

No. ..........

Thank you.

This time round, I have to agree with you fully.

 

[@rmadill0]

My name is Rajakumar - Senior Asst Commissioner Rajakumar and I am bloody 2lan I did not become CP.

Rajakumar? Was he even in the running to take over Khoo Boon Hui? Dun think so leh.

 

[Soul_Reaper]

So, who am I?

Let me try?
You were once a trooper with the Ang Chia.
And used to be the OC GSB/CID at one time.
Left the force as an ASP and managed the Carnival Niteclub.

Tio bo?

 

[GoldenDragon]

The running of Mahjong and many of the games such as paigow in the old days ( not dens) helped many housewives to supplement their household income and send their children for higher education. it was a necessity and it was not meant to buy expensive cars.

Same for small time chap ji kee collectors.

 

[GoldenDragon]

Rajakumar? Was he even in the running to take over Khoo Boon Hui? Dun think so leh.

Only he himself was under that impression. He is not an OMS. Doesn't stand a chance.

 

[GoldenDragon]

Let me try?
You were once a trooper with the Ang Chia.
And used to be the OC GSB/CID at one time.
Left the force as an ASP and managed the Carnival Niteclub.

Tio bo?

You are close enough. Excellent.

 

[scroobal]

They used to to be no different to the postman in terms of value to the community and the everyone use to wait for him to come. In the rare event when he did not turn up, people tend to panic.

Same for small time chap ji kee collectors.

 

[fishbuff]

Hi guys... sorry I need an answer, not too sure how the system works over here and the police force ain't helpful at all...

MY QUERY to THE POLICE:
Hi,

Is it legal to play poker within the confines of my place (a private apartment), along with a group of friends, coupled with gaming chips, which are exchangeable for real money, on an occasional basis?

Regards,
Keith

THEIR REPLY:
Dear Sir

We refer to your email of 14 December 2010.

The Police do not give legal advice. The police only gives advice if an
incident has been reported and to determine if the matter require police
action/attention.

Thank you and regards.

Yours faithfully

dont you think it is really sad of you to live your daily life constantly seeking approval from people, organisations and authorities?

this really enforce this joke, sadly it is the truth....
"Singaporean And Government
Two British men and a lady stranded on a desert island - they each took gentlemanly turns with the lady.

Two Italian men and a lady stranded on a desert island - the two fought and one killed the other to have the lady.

Two American men and a lady stranded on a desert island - they both had the lady together.

Two French men and a lady stranded on a desert island - they killed the lady to have each other.

Two Australian men and a lady stranded on a desert island both dug until they found COLD beer, drunk and passed out before they get to the lady.

Two Singaporean men and a lady stranded on a desert island the two are still waiting for instructions from the GOVERNMENT


"

 

[scroobal]

It not only ordinary citizens but those that work in government agencies and are part of the Authority are so scared to even give a straight answer. Note the Police answer to his question. It was not even an answer.

Our entire mindset is also baffling. Even those trained in the Legal field struggle to interpret the law not because it is unclear but they prefer to be guided and their hands held. The inability to think independently is a concern.

Walter Woon the immediate past AG found out the hard way that he had extraordinary powers but it was not his to exercise.

dont you think it is really sad of you to live your daily life constantly seeking approval from people, organisations and authorities?

"

 

[@rmadill0]

You are close enough. Excellent.

Bro Soul_Reaper see you no up. My guess:

You were once a troop commander with the Ang Chia.
And used to be the Head GSB/CID at one time.
Left the force as an DSP and managed the TianAnMen Niteclub.

Closer to his guess right?

 

[GoldenDragon]

Bro Soul_Reaper see you no up. My guess:

You were once a troop commander with the Ang Chia.
And used to be the Head GSB/CID at one time.
Left the force as an DSP and managed the TianAnMen Niteclub.

Closer to his guess right?

Another Stupid Policeman good enough. Don't want to be a Damn Stupid Policeman. Thank you for see me so up. Kum sia many many.

 

[GoldenDragon]

It not only ordinary citizens but those that work in government agencies and are part of the Authority are so scared to even give a straight answer. Note the Police answer to his question. It was not even an answer.

Our entire mindset is also baffling. Even those trained in the Legal field struggle to interpret the law not because it is unclear but they prefer to be guided and their hands held. The inability to think independently is a concern.

Walter Woon the immediate past AG found out the hard way that he had extraordinary powers but it was not his to exercise.

Bro, you are 101% correct.

I suspect the reason behind this is because civil servants are AFRAID of making mistakes, even honest mistakes. They will not innovate. Sticking to status quo cannot harm their career.

When you ok something new, it may turn out badly and you are likely to be punished - put in cold storage, reprimanded, explanation letter, branded 'kay khiang' etc.

The hassle involved, to many of these chaps, is just not worth it. Unless you are a scholar. Or, someone like Philip Yeo who had heavy artillery behind him.
But, how many scholars and "Philips" we have in the entire civil service?

Another reason is because civil servants are lazy. Their aim is to be politically aware/correct/sensitive. When you can predict when you get promoted, why think out of the box?

Just be obedient and comply to orders. Better still, go 'angkat' your bosses. Whatever the boss says, it is true. Praise your boss even though you know he is a fool. Arrange golf games for him. Attend to his household maintenance.

Junior civil servants will look at their seniors, in age and rank as a compass. Even if they are full of energy, innovative and want to meaningfully contribute, they will give up after awhile and adhere to the mentality of their seniors. Same in politics.

When government spokesperson are interviewed, it doesn't take a genius to figure out their answers. It is all about motherhood statements which can never go wrong.

To exacerbate matters, we are not paying them peanuts. Yet we are being served by monkeys.

 

[GoldenDragon]

Bro Soul_Reaper see you no up. My guess:

You were once a troop commander with the Ang Chia.
And used to be the Head GSB/CID at one time.
Left the force as an DSP and managed the TianAnMen Niteclub.

Closer to his guess right?

Next ...............

You were once Commander with the Ang Chia.
And used to be Director CID at one time.
Left the force as Senior Assistant Commissioner and managed Da Lu bar at Balestier.