Poker players are followed and robbed after leaving a card club
Reports indicate that most of these robberies occurred as players were leaving the “Lucky J Social Club”, a popular card club in south-west Houston. According to police, the suspects waited outside the establishment, followed the players to their homes or hotels and then robbed them.
One particularly disturbing case occurred on 1 August when a player who won a large sum at a card table was followed to his hotel. Two men attacked him in the corridor, hit him on the head, stole his wallet and then drove off in a white car which was caught on camera.
In another case, four men allegedly followed a 70-year-old player out ofLucky J's. The thieves tried to rob him outside his home but were scared off by his wife's screams. The suspects fled, but on the way their car was involved in an accident. The police quickly apprehended them.
The suspects have so far been arrested
The police have identified four suspects, Jayden Batiste, Exavier Brown and Keyveon Thompson. The men have been charged with armed robbery of a person over 65.
- A few days earlier, 23-year-old Keion Thompson was given a deferred sentence for reportedly threatening his girlfriend with a gun in March. Thompson was released on bail on the condition that he would not cause trouble, but he is now back in jail on bail of USD 30 000.
- Keion's brother, 22-year-old Keyveon Thompson, is also being held on bail of USD 20 000.
- jayden Batiste, 23, posted bail on 23 August.
- exavier Brown, 23, is currently in jail awaiting trial.
Police believe the group is part of a larger operation targeting poker players that began in January.
Violence around Houston poker clubs
A recent spike in robberies has put the spotlight on Houston's thriving poker scene. The city is home to more than 7.5 million people and has one of the highest rates of illegal cash games in the country. But this rise in violent crime also raises concerns about public safety.
In the past, the “Lucky J Social Club” has been involved in controversial situations. The club was set up on the site of the former Johnny Chan's 88 Social, which quickly closed in December 2021. Since then, the building has changed hands several times, first as 101 Poker Club Richmond, then as Elite Social Club and finally asLucky J.
It has also been associated with incidents of violence, in particular at events linked to the Legends Poker Room, which, although controversial, is quite popular.
What's next
Since January, the authorities indicate that there may have been attacks on 20 poker players. More suspects may be charged in the coming weeks, and those already in custody will be brought to court in October.
