Poker playing conjures up an image of cigar smoke lifting from a green felt table strewn with whisky bottles, rough men flipping the table when a cheater is discovered.
But the new poker playing establishment in Lake Orion is anything but an Old West cliche.
There’s no smoking or drinking at the Parrot Charity Poker Room, which opened recently at 1430 S. Lapeer Road.
And a portion of the money, as the name implies, benefits charities.
‘We set out to make this the best place possible,? said Scott Cummins, who co-owns the establishment with business partner and brother-in-law, John Gaber. ‘I know what the players want, and we’re giving it to them.?
Poker has seen a resurgence in recent years, with tournaments being shown on ESPN and other television stations.
As popularity for the game has grown, more places like the Parrot have sprung up, according to Cummins.
Not quite a casino and not quite a banquet hall, places like the Parrot operate as a hosting location for charities to raise money.
The charities, not the Parrot, are required to have a state gambling license. Each weekend, the Parrot is open for business for a certain charity, though people coming to play might not have any idea which charity is being benefited.
‘They’re poker players. They don’t care what charities they’re playing for,? Cummins said. ‘It sounds mean, but, in the end, charities get more out of it. They’re making three times as much.?
The reason? Serious poker players tend to gamble with more cash than, say, someone who attends a church’s Vegas night.
While charities do get a cut of the play, the players have essentially the same experience as going to the casino. The games are Texas Hold ‘Em and Omaha. You play for real money and keep all your winnings.
So, what’s the difference?
A small percentage of the ‘rake,? or the amount the house takes from each pot, goes to charity. Cummins said there are approximately 25 to 30 pots in one hour of play.
Some of the charities currently signed up for ‘Millionaire Parties,? the official name of the poker games, are the Orion Band Boosters, the Paint Creek Center for the Arts, Habitat for Humanity, Pug Lady Kingdom, Rainbow Connection and the Oxford Junior Wildcats.
‘We made enough to buy them new shoulder pads,? Cummins said of the junior football team from Orion’s northern neighbor.
The Orion Township planning commission and board of trustees approved a special land use in the winter for the parcel so the Parrot could hold the charitable events.
Cummins, who lives in Clarkston, and Gaber, a Rochester resident, said they opened up shop in Lake Orion because they liked the people and the business community in the area.
‘It’s a nice town,? Cummins said. ‘It’s a long drive to any other poker place.?
Parrot Poker features ten poker tables, each with a dealer. Players at the club have to pay one dollar to become a member. This helps keep track of playing time for the frequent player club. Players also get a free t-shirt, soft drinks snacks and other food that’s catered in at night.
The summer hours are Thursday through Sunday, 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tournaments begin at 7 p.m. Entry fees vary. Check the Web site for more information at www.parrotpokerclub.com.
Non-profit charities interested in getting involved are asked to contact Faber at 248-515-3605.