N.Va. Flush With Poker Faces

Nancy Everly, top right, reacts to winning yet another hand during a Texas Hold 'Em tournament at a Fairfax City bar. Virginia officials say such events are legal as long as they remain free. (Jonathan Ernst For The Washington Post)

Poker trade magazines estimate that 100 million people are playing poker recreationally or professionally nationwide, about twice the number from five years ago. Some online companies, many of which are based overseas, are reporting profits in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

Over Christmas, professional poker chip sets were flying off the shelves, said Jason Lockwood, chief operating officer of Cincinnati-based United States Playing Card Co. His company could hardly keep up with demand.

"Poker chip sets used to be a specialty item, but it's mainstream now," Lockwood said. "Millions of poker sets are being sold, not just online . . . but at major retailers like Wal-Mart, Target and Toys R Us. Now you are able to buy poker sets everywhere you are able to buy cards."

Free poker tournaments are a relatively new phenomenon. But they are profitable ventures for budding companies such as the National Pub Poker League, which is running the games in Northern Virginia. In eight months, officials said, the company grew from 12 people working out of their homes to a profitable, multimillion-dollar venture with 125 employees and 15,000 events scheduled in nine states.

"We want people to play the most popular game in the world -- and right now that might not be an exaggeration -- and not have to worry about gambling or losing their house," said Philip "Jay" Stratman, the firm's northeast regional coordinator. "We are playing a game that brings folks in that helps support the business of these restaurants and pubs. It's a social activity. Wives are reconnecting with husbands; friends are getting together. It's great and, best of all, it's 100 percent free."

That may be true, but there is more at stake. Participants may gain "points" by doing well at local tournaments. Top players are invited to a regional competition. Then it's on to the nationals, with huge prizes such as a custom-designed motorcycle, cash or a seat at the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas.

The big stakes have raised eyebrows among officials in states such as California, Illinois and even Texas.

In some cases, liquor agencies have banned prizes greater than $25. Some local governments in Texas have laws prohibiting any kind of card playing in establishments that serve alcohol.

Shawn Riley, president of the Amateur Poker League, another company that hosts free Texas Hold 'Em games in several states, described such crackdowns as archaic.

"When they made these laws, they never envisioned someone would be playing these games without money," he said.

But even if nothing were at stake, players say, they still would come out.

Amber Foster, 29, of Centreville said she has blocked off Sunday nights to head to T.T. Reynolds. While she sometimes plays in cash games, the free tournaments are just as fun, she said.

"I just had a great time. I love being there at the bar," she said. "A lot of the same people go, so I really enjoy interacting with them. I think the social aspect is equal to the competition aspect of the game."

The only problem is she feels she could easily become addicted, if that hasn't happened already.

"I started out playing five nights a week, and I had to cut back quite a bit," she said. "Otherwise I won't get any work done."