By Theresa Vargas
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, January 25, 2006

It wasn't the semiautomatic so much that unnerved the host of a Manassas Texas Hold 'Em game that was robbed at gunpoint Friday. It was what a second robbery in two months against an exclusive group of players does: steal the fun.

"We used to have a place where we could play comfortably seven days a week, and that's been narrowed to two to three times," said the host, who spoke on condition that his name not be used because the robbers are still at large.

"There is no question in my mind this was an inside job."

In November, two masked men barged into a Fairfax home during a Texas Hold 'Em tournament and robbed players of about $5,000 in cash, along with watches, cell phones and car keys.

Two of the players there that night were also at the Manassas game, leading police to investigate a possible link between the robberies. "Our detectives are in touch with Fairfax police," said Sgt. Tim Neumann, a Manassas police spokesman.

Players in each case were notified about the games through an Internet invitation system, in which a person is e-mailed with the time and location. Before the Fairfax robbery, those on the e-mail list, from across Northern Virginia, numbered about 500, the host said. After the robbery, he and others slimmed down the list to the 170 people they most trusted.

Friday's incident has made him rethink his draw.

The robbery happened just after 9 p.m., two hours into the game. Fifteen players and two dealers were spread across two tables, and the average pot was piling up at about $100, when the host heard someone at the door and opened it, expecting a late player.

That's when he saw the man holding the gun.

"He said it was a robbery, and it seemed surreal. He pointed the gun at me," the host said, adding that he pushed it away but, "he brought it right up again and I realized it was for real, it wasn't a hoax."

Police say another man was involved in the robbery but he did not confront any of the players.

Police said that about $4,000 was taken. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Solvers at 703-330-0330. The host said he is offering $1,000 for any information leading to an arrest.

"I really want everyone to enjoy poker again," he said. "It's really diminished everyone's enthusiasm."

At least a little.

"We're going to be playing tonight," the man said. Although this time, there will be no Internet invitations, he said.