Mafia-Run Poker Ring Used Technology to Cheat, Enlisting Retired NBA Players as Bait

Strategic Insights -

In a summer 2023 setup, a Manhattan apartment building on Lexington Avenue served as the epicenter of a Mafia-run poker ring that exploited technology to cheat players. Former NBA players, notably Chauncey Billups and Damon Jones, were used as "face cards" to attract high rollers, while others involved in the scheme included members and associates of the Gambino and Lucchese organized crime families. The ring employed a shuffling machine with hidden technology that could read cards and predict the best hand, alerting in-on-the-scheme players through secret signals.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Mafia-run poker ring was centered in a Manhattan apartment building on Lexington Avenue, using technology to read cards and cheat players.
  • Former NBA players, including Chauncey Billups and Damon Jones, were used as "face cards" to attract high rollers.
  • Members and associates of the Gambino and Lucchese organized crime families were involved in the scheme.
  • A shuffling machine was modified to read cards, and the ring employed secret cameras and X-ray technology to cheat players.
  • A total of 8 men were accused of providing the cheating technology, from Georgia, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Kentucky.
  • The ring took in approximately $7 million from players, with John Doe #1 losing $1.8 million alone.
  • The scheme was operated by Ammar Awawdeh, a Brooklyn man known as Flapper Poker and Flappy, who had a prior conviction for stealing $1 million from a homeless woman in 2018.
  • The ring's games were played in various locations, including Miami, East Hampton, Las Vegas, and two locations in Manhattan.
  • The scheme involved the use of special sunglasses or contact lenses to read invisible markings on the backs of cards.
  • Threats and extortion were used to provide security and ensure debt payments to gangsters.

Statistics:

  • At least $7 million was taken in by the Mafia-run poker ring from players.
  • John Doe #1 lost $1.8 million playing in the Lexington Avenue building.
  • 8 men from various states were accused of providing the cheating technology.
  • The scheme involved the use of secret cameras, X-ray technology, and special sunglasses or contact lenses.
  • The ring operated in multiple locations, including Manhattan, Miami, East Hampton, Las Vegas.
  • Ammar Awawdeh was 34 years old at the time of his involvement in the scheme.

Sources:

  • "Manhattan Apartment Was Key to a Mafia-Run Poker Ring, Prosecutors Say"

The New York Times (Thursday, [unspecified date], 2023)

  • Indictment against Ammar Awawdeh and others (unspecified date, 2023)
  • Matthew Haag, Kaja Andric, Callum Foote, and Olivia Bensimon (contributing reporters)