Hold'em On Hold? I Steve Stein Contributing Writer p isgah/Zeiger and Bloch/Israel B'nai B'rith lodges have orga- nized a Texas Hold'em poker tournament once or twice a year since 2005 to raise money for B'nai B'rith sports programs. A tournament has been held each January since 2009 at the Jewish Community Center in West Bloomfield, but that streak will come to an end this month. New charity poker rules by the Michigan Gaming Control Board, which regulates gaming in the state, have put the B'nai B'rith tournament on the endangered list. The rules were adapted by the MGCB in July 2014 and extended this month to July 2, 2015, in response to a court injunction against other new rules the MGCB wanted to put in place. The Michigan Charitable Gaming Association sought the injunction, which has been appealed by the state to the Michigan Court of Appeals. The case is scheduled to be heard Feb. 3. B'nai B'rith tournament spokesman Rick Sherline said two of the new rules are having the most impact on the deci- sion whether or not to continue the tournament. "One new rule requires the state to do criminal background checks of the deal- ers, which takes time but otherwise isn't a problem for us:' he said. The other new rule that is a prob- lem, Sherline said, requires prize money to be paid from gross instead of net proceeds. "Our prize money is 55 percent of the net proceeds:' Sherline said. "We have expenses. We have to pay for things like food and use of a room at the JCC. If we're not getting enough revenue to pay our expenses, it doesn't make sense to hold the tournament, especially because of all the work that's involved:' Sherline said there are plans to contact past tournament participants and spell out what's happening. If enough agree to play — "we need to have 40 to 45," Sherline said — a tournament could be held in early March. Sherline said tournament par- ticipation has been declining, in part Hidden Treasure Discovered in Oakland County Elegant estate. jewelry and t beautiful one-of-a-kind pieces can • be yours for less than you would imagine because he thinks the nationwide poker craze has died down. "Plus, I'm sure some people who have participated in our tournament and not done well probably aren't interested in participating anymore. They're probably saying, 'Been there, done that.' "We have a solid core group of 40 to 45 participants we count on. We'll see what they want to do:" MGCB Executive Director Rick Kalm told mlive.com reporter Emily Lawler the board is changing the charity poker rules because charities were being hurt by the old rules. On A Roll The second half of the B'nai B'rith Brotherhood-Eddie Jacobson bowling league season is under way. The four division winners in the first half were the Manute Bowlers (Tigers), Seal Team No. 7 (Lions), Spares Are A Miracle (Red Wings) and Yogi's Rollers (Pistons). Each winner has qualified for the three-week playoffs. Second-half divi- sion winners also will earn a spot in the playoffs. There have two notable individual accomplishments in the league this season. Ryan Columbus (LWLZ) bowled a 300 game Dec. 8 and Dave Shanbaum (Transplants) rolled a 241-268-278-787 series Jan. 2, the first night of the second half. Shanbaum's series is the sixth-highest in the league's 50-plus-year history. The league bowls Monday nights at Country Lanes in Farmington Hills. Estate Buyers at David Wachter & Sons R&R Jewelers- Now located at 100 S. Old Woodward Birmingham MI 48009 248-540- 4622 100 South Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham, MI 248.540.4622 Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 10am-5:30pm Thursday, 10am-7:30pm Saturday, 10am-5pm Sunday and Monday, Closed ALL NEW PRODUCTION! VIBRANT VIVID ORIGINAL A visually striking evening of dance from Michigan's premiere contemporary dance company that cleverly matches choreographers with lighting designers for 5 electrifying pieces incorporating lasers, light and innovative dance! Hooping It Up It's tipoff time for the B'nai B'rith basket- ball league. Play began Jan. 18 at the JCC in West Bloomfield and will continue at 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. each Sunday for the 10-game regular season. Five teams are in the league this season, one more than last year. Downtown Fox, Pisgah and Zeiger each has a team and there are two teams from Brotherhood, including the new team. The top four teams will make the playoffs. ❑ Please send sports news to stevestein502004@yahoo.com . 1968030 FREE DANCE TALK one hour prior to performance. EISENHOWER DANCE LIGFIfigHt)W ONE PERFORMANCE ONLY! SATURDAY, JANUARY 31, 2015 - 7:30 PM MICHIGAN Presented at The Detroit Opera House TICKETS & PRE-PAID PARKING CALL 313.237.SING or visit michiganopera.org 0 LEAR The 2014-2015 Dance Season is made possible by the Lear Corporation 1975580 January 22 • 2015 39