Inside the Star-Studded, Mob-Run Poker Games That Allegedly Steal Millions From Players

The world of high-stakes poker games is a shadowy one, with the rich and famous rubbing shoulders with organized crime figures. The game known as the Billups Game, which allegedly stole millions from players, was said to be orchestrated by former NBA player Chauncey Billups and professional gambler Damon Jones.

At its core, these games are built on social interaction – a chance for high-profile celebrities like Billups and Jones to mingle with other rich and influential people. These gatherings often involve lavish party favors and beautiful companions, providing an atmosphere that's difficult to replicate in the sterile environment of a casino.

However, beneath this glamorous facade lies a web of deceit and cheating. Players are invited on the condition that they're willing to play alongside celebrities like Billups and Jones, who dictate the terms of the game. Professional poker players, often referred to as "whales," are invited specifically because their fame helps bring in other high-rollers.

In these games, cheating is a widespread problem, with alleged methods ranging from simple but clever card tricks to sophisticated electronic poker chip trays and even rigged shuffling machines. The use of RFID technology to livestream the game on TV or YouTube has also been linked to these games.

But who's behind these games? Often it's organized crime figures, such as those in the mafia, who use these high-stakes gatherings to settle debts, exploit their victims' greed, and engage in extortion and intimidation tactics.

In the case of the Billups Game, two former NBA players were allegedly caught up in a scheme involving cheating. While details about how this game operated are still unclear, it's clear that the Billups Games represent an unusual fusion of celebrity poker, organized crime, and deception.

These games aren't unique; they're part of a long history of high-stakes gaming scams. However, their exposure can serve as a warning to those tempted by cheating in poker – there may be real consequences for doing so.

I'm kinda surprised how many rich folks are into this shady stuff... like, doesn't it get boring just sitting around all day? Anyway, gotta say, these Billups Games seem super exclusive and who can blame the celebs for wanting to have some fun outside of their usual spotlight . But on the other hand, cheating in poker is so not cool ... like, it's a total bummer for all the legit players out there . I mean, what's next? Gonna start using fake chips and shuffling machines too? https://www.pokerstars.com/

man I'm not surprised about this billups game thingy... i mean we all know rich people and celebs love to mingle with each other & have some fun. but let's be real, it's not all champagne & roses. these games are like a recipe for disaster – cheaters galore, rigged machines, and shady dealings. it's like they're saying "come on down, we'll pay you to lose your shirt"... meanwhile the scammers get rich off it lol. gotta stay vigilant, folks!

omg u guys, this billups game thing is wild like, who knew that famous ppl were involved in these shady poker games? i'm lowkey impressed by chauncey billups' hustle lol, but also super frustrated that players got scammed outta millions . and can we talk about how ridiculous it is to use rigged shuffling machines?! anyway, it's not like the first time we've seen this kind of thing, but yeah, a reminder that cheaters will always get caught eventually . gotta respect the whales for speaking up tho

I mean, it's crazy how deep-seated corruption is in the poker world, right? Like, you got your A-list celebrities and mafia figures rubbing shoulders, it's like something out of a movie . And the whole thing being built on lies and cheating... it's just so sad that people get taken advantage of like this.

I'm not saying I condone any of this, but it's hard to ignore how systemic the problem is. These games are basically just an excuse for organized crime figures to prey on innocent people who are just trying to have a good time and maybe make some money . And it's not just about the poker game itself, it's about the whole atmosphere that comes with it – the glamour, the luxury, the false sense of security... it's all just a facade.

Anyway, I think this is why there needs to be more transparency and regulation in high-stakes gaming . It's not just about protecting the players, but also about keeping these games from getting too out of hand and hurting people who don't deserve it .

OMG, I'm so over these fancy-schmancy high-stakes poker games ! They're like, super exclusive and invite-only, but what they don't show you is the shady stuff that goes down behind closed doors . I mean, it's basically just a excuse for rich people to mingle with "celebrities" who are actually just using them for their own gain . And don't even get me started on the cheating - I've seen some wild stuff online, from fake RFID tags to rigged machines that can manipulate the outcome of a game .

And what really gets my goat is how these games are just a smokescreen for organized crime figures who use them to exploit people and settle debts . It's like, they're using the glamour and excitement of high-stakes poker as a cover for their own nefarious activities . I'm all for a good game of poker myself, but not when it involves cheating or shady business dealings .

Ugh I'm so over these high-stakes poker games with celebrities . Like, yeah we get it Billups and Jones are cool and all but at what cost? These games are basically just excuses for rich people to get their hands dirty with organized crime . And don't even get me started on the cheating – I mean come on RFID tech to livestream the game? That's some next level shady stuff . But you know what the worst part is? These games are still going on and people are getting hurt . We need to expose these scammers for who they are and bring them to justice .

the problem isn't the game itself, it's the people involved... former NBA players and pro gamblers with connections to organized crime... think about that next time you're dealt a bad hand and wanna blame the game

I'm not surprised to see the underbelly of high-stakes poker games exposed . The allure of rubbing shoulders with A-list celebrities and making life-changing sums sounds too good to be true, but it's clear that beneath this glamorous facade lies a complex web of deceit . I mean, who wouldn't want to see their favorite pro gambler or celebrity throw down at the table? But the fact that these games are built on social interaction and exploiting the vulnerabilities of "whales" is just plain shady .

And let's be real, the use of RFID technology to livestream the game is like something out of a Bond film . It's clear that organized crime figures are using these high-stakes gatherings as a means to settle debts and extort money from their victims. The Billups Game may have been just one iteration, but it's part of a larger pattern of high-stakes gaming scams that need to be called out .

I'm not surprised these fancy-schmancy poker games exist, but it's crazy how deep the corruption goes. Like, you gotta admire the creativity of cheaters using RFID tech to livestream the game , but at the end of the day, it's still a dirty way to make bank. And those organized crime figures? Not cool . It's like, we're supposed to be celebrating these games as some kind of exclusive club thing, but really they're just a front for racketeering and exploitation. The fact that they're using legit-sounding events with celebrities is just genius marketing . But honestly, who gets invited to one of these games? A bunch of rich people who are already desperate to rub shoulders with the "cool kids"? It's all just a bunch of fake friendships and social climbing .

OMG u gotta believe me about the Billups Game it's like, super shady! I'm all about Chauncey Billups tho, he's my fave NBA player of all time but now I'm kinda wondering if he was involved in this whole thing... and what about Damon Jones? like, who's gonna trust these guys anymore? anywayz I think it's crazy how ppl get scammed outta millions and it's just, like, so not cool that organized crime is involed gotta stay vigilant tho, can't let our guard down

I gotta say, the idea of these super exclusive poker games with celebs like Chauncey Billups and Damon Jones sounds glamorous, but it's all just a front, right? I mean, who needs that much secrecy around their gaming habits? It's like they're hiding something... and then you find out there's cheating going on left and right. RFID technology livestreaming the game on TV or YouTube? That's just wild. And organized crime figures? Come on, how many times can we see this in high-stakes games? It's always the same story: players are invited with fake promises of a once-in-a-lifetime gaming experience only to be scammed out of their hard-earned cash.

Wow these high-stakes poker games are wild! Interesting how some rich and famous people get involved with organized crime to make some cash. Can you imagine being at one of these lavish parties, surrounded by millionaires and celebrities?

Yooo, have you guys ever wondered why these "high-end" poker games are always shrouded in secrecy ? It's like they're trying to hide something from the players... and I think we know what that is . These games are basically just a front for organized crime figures to get their hands on people's money, and it's ridiculous how easily some folks can be swayed by the promise of "big wins" .

And let's not forget about the role of "whales"... professional poker players who get invited because they're famous, not because they're actually good at the game . It's like these games are designed to exploit people's greed and trust issues. I mean, if you're going to play for millions, shouldn't you at least have a fighting chance?

I'm glad someone is finally talking about this stuff, but I wish more people would think twice before getting caught up in these games . We need to be smarter than that...

I gotta say, I think the Billups Game is actually a good thing . I mean, where else can you rub shoulders with famous people and make some serious cash? The glamour of it all sounds like a blast to me! And yeah, cheating might be a problem, but that's just part of the game, right? I'm not saying everyone involved is innocent, but come on, who doesn't love a good game of poker every now and then? It's like, if you're gonna play with the big boys, you gotta be willing to take some risks... or get taken down .

omg u guys, i cant even imagine how many times i almost got scammed at the uni poker club lol, but seriously tho, these billups games sound super sus. like, who needs that kinda drama and risk in their life? and its not just about the money, its also about the celeb factor which is all glamour & party vibes , but deep down its all about manipulation & cheating. anyway, i guess it just goes to show u gotta be careful when dealing with ppl ur not familiar w/ or u dont know if they're legit

OMG you guys just think about how many times u've been on these games thinking ur gonna get rich quick but really u're being scammed the Billups Game was like, a total masterclass in deception did u know that 75% of players who lost money in these games were actually high-rollers who got in over their heads? and its not just the players who are getting ripped off, the celebrities too! like, Chauncey Billups made like $1M from hosting one game alone meanwhile, organized crime figures are making bank off these scams let's take a look at some stats: 60% of cheaters in high-stakes games use card tricks while 40% use electronic devices to cheat now, u might be thinking "but what about the celebrities who get in on these games?" well, did u know that 90% of them have no idea how the game is rigged?

I'm telling u, these high-stakes games are straight up sketchy . I mean, come on, celebs like Chauncey Billups and Damon Jones getting paid millions from unsuspecting players? That's just low . And don't even get me started on the cheating – card tricks, rigged machines, electronic chip trays... it's like they're playing a real-life video game of GTA .

And what's with these "whales" who are invited to play alongside the celebs? Sounds like a setup for a bad episode of Entourage . I'm no poker expert, but even I know that's not how the game is supposed to work.

It's crazy that organized crime figures are behind some of these games – that's just wild . And yeah, cheating can lead to some serious consequences... like ending up in a mafia prison cell . These games might be entertaining on TV, but in real life? Not so much .

I'm low-key impressed that the Billups Game was able to lure in so many big-name players with the promise of luxury and camaraderie . But let's not forget, it's a whole lotta hubris to think you can outsmart folks who make their living off winning . And now we're talking about organized crime figures getting involved... that just takes it from shady to downright scary . I'm all for living life large, but at what cost?

Ugh, rich people playing dirty . I mean, who gets involved in games where it's basically rigged from the start? And the celebrities just going along with it is wild . Like, Chauncey Billups and Damon Jones, two guys who were supposed to be role models or whatever. It's just another example of how the wealthy and powerful think they're above the law .

And can we talk about how ridiculous these games are? I mean, you've got professional poker players getting invited because they're famous, not because they're actually good at poker . And then there's the whole cheating thing... it's just so basic . Using RFID tech to livestream the game? Come on, guys .

But you know what really gets me? The fact that these games are like a big ol' facade . People are just pretending to be interested in poker when all they care about is rubbing shoulders with other rich people and making some cash . It's all just so cringeworthy .