Missouri lawmaker seeks to ban dangerous card game

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- State Sen. Larry Rohrbach isn't willing to put up with any bull, especially if it involves poker.

The Republican has introduced a bill that would ban the sponsorship of "Mexican Poker," a common event at rodeos nationwide.

The game puts people around a poker table inside a rodeo ring, then a bull is released into the ring. The object is to be the last one sitting at the table, meaning a player hasn't been scared off or knocked over by the bull. The winner receives a cash prize.

"The premise of Mexican Poker is as irresponsible as the game's name is derogatory," said Rohrbach, who introduced a bill Thursday after a constituent told him about a relative left comatose after participating in the game.

"I'd heard about Mexican Poker contests and thought they appealed to the nature of young fellas to prove they are macho, and to the base instinct of spectators to ooh and aah over deliberate exposure to danger," Rohrbach said. "After learning about the serious injury to that young man in my district, I decided it was time to do something about it."

Rohrbach was alerted to the game by a call from Henry and Louise Steinman of Russellville, whose adopted grandson, Brock, suffered serious injuries at a Mexican Poker game in Iberia last summer.

Louise Steinman, 72, said Brock had a blood clot in his brain and one lung after being struck by a bull. He was unconscious for two weeks.

"The bull just horned him and threw him up in the air," Steinman said. "I think it should be outlawed. I think this is a disgrace to humanity for people to suffer like that."

'It's like driving a car'

Not everyone is pleased about Rohrbach's bill, including promoter Chuck McKellips of Kansas City.

McKellips sponsors about 30 rodeos a year in Missouri and elsewhere. He said Mexican Poker is no worse than many other activities.

"Anytime you get in that arena, it's dangerous. It's like driving a car or anything else," McKellips said Friday. "People volunteer, and they all wear protective vests. When they do get hit, bulls leave them alone. Very seldom do people get hurt."

Under the legislation, promoting Mexican Poker would be a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $1,000. Winners of Mexican Poker contests typically earn $50 to $500.

The bill is written to include those who host or promote any variation of Mexican Poker involving the exchange of money, either in the form of admission or prize money.

McKellips said Mexican Poker actually is less popular than it once was, but if a person wants to participate, they should be allowed to do so, he said.