A recent trend has left poker players scared. High stakes games played in private homes have become the targets of violent robberies. A crime wave in Texas led to several arrests, but a game in Portland, Oregon has thus far left law enforcement without a any suspects in hand.

Around 3:45 am, Sunday night, the regular game, frequented by members of the community, including teachers, businessmen, and even police officers, found itself the subject of uninvited guests. At first, the players thought it was a joke, with some even laughing. Soon, however, it became apparent that the three armed robbers, dressed in all black and wearing masks, meant business, and the players got down on the floor while the theives took the cash, wallets, cell phones, car keys, and jewelry. No estimate as to the overall value of the theft was given, nor has it been publicized how many cars were stolen in the end.

Each player was sprayed in the face with pepper spray, and several players needed to be treated at the scene by paramedics, although no one was taken to the hospital. One player was beaten on the head with a shotgun when he refused to lie down, but apparently, the damage was minimal. Players were wary to give their personal information, afraid of repercussions of being caught playing at a poker game which might cross the boundary between a friendly game and one that is actually banned by law. Perhaps they’d be better off sticking to the strictly friendly penny-ante games for face-to-face play, and go online for higher-level action.