High-stakes poker meetup in Hawaii hit by theft; authorities unable to trace culprits.
Gunpoint Heist Hits Hawaii Poker Game
It was every poker enthusiast's worst nightmare come true this week as a private poker game in Hawaii was held up at gunpoint. The Honolulu Police Department confirmed the shocking event, with details spilling out in a police report reviewed by PokerNews.
According to the report, four unidentified males, all armed with multiple firearms, stormed a residence, demanding the documents within. The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported that the incident took place during a friendly poker game.
Recounting the incident, a 31-year-old female informed authorities that the suspects made off with cash and valuables before fleeing the scene. Luckily, no injuries were sustained during the ordeal.
The heist went down in the popular Pali area of Honolulu, one of Hawaii's major islands. At the time of the report, no arrests had been made, and the investigation remains ongoing.
A Trending Tragedy
While this was undoubtedly a unique event, it's far from the first instance of a private poker home game being targeted in such a manner. In April 2024, PokerNews reported on a robbery in Suffolk, New York, where two masked gunmen robbed a poker game at a Long Island residence on Easter Sunday.
In that robbery, the suspects made off with cash, jewelry, cell phones, and other valuables while shooting a man during their escape. Home games aren't the only targets, however. On Christmas Eve 2024, three masked men allegedly robbed Johny's Social Card Club in Northern Texas, making off with cash from the ATM.
Even casinos aren't immune to such incidents. In March, an Ohio poker dealer pleaded guilty to stealing chips from cash game pots at JACK Casino.
Jason Saliba, the dealer, entered a guilty plea to nine gambling violations. Though he avoided jail time, he was handed a lifetime ban from the Ohio casino.
Connor Richards, an Editor & Live Reporter for PokerNews and the host of the Life Outside Poker podcast, has been covering these incidents diligently. Richards, who has been nominated for two Global Poker Awards for his writing, reminds us all to prioritize safety when playing poker, both at home and in public.
In light of such incidents, it's crucial for hosts and attendees of private poker games to take certain precautions:
- Maintain discreetness and anonymity to avoid attracting unwanted attention.
- Install security cameras and alarms around the venue.
- Thoroughly screen every guest to ensure they are known and trustworthy.
- Notify local law enforcement of the game, if possible.
- Establish clear emergency procedures and have a plan in place should an incident occur.
By taking these measures and staying vigilant, we can help protect ourselves and others in the poker community from such criminal activity.
- Crime-and-justice news outlets continue to report on casino-related incidents, with a poker game in Hawaii being held up at gunpoint being the latest example.
- PokerNews has covered several similar cases, such as the robbery of a private poker game in Suffolk, New York, and the armed robbery at Johny's Social Card Club in Northern Texas.
- In an attempt to prevent such incidents, hosts and attendees of private poker games are advised to adopt security measures, like ensuring anonymity, installing security cameras, thoroughly screening guests, and notifying local law enforcement.
