01 Sep 2025 Houston police are investigating a concerning string of robberies linked to poker games over the past few weeks. Authorities believe an organized group is responsible for the series of crimes, leading to the arrest of several suspects. Poker Players Targeted Leaving Cardrooms Reports have surfaced this year of robbers following several poker players home after they left local cardrooms. Reports indicate about 20 cases, most of which involve players leaving Lucky J Social Club. On August 1, they followed a player who had won a significant amount of money to his hotel. In the hotel hallway, two individuals struck him in the head before fleeing in a white car with his wallet. A 70-year-old man was heading home from Lucky J when a similar incident occurred. The robbers tried to grab his wallet, but they ran away when his wife screamed for help. Suspects Arrested with a Criminal History Four people were arrested following the incident: Jayden Batiste, Exavier Brown, and brothers Keion and Keyveon Thompson. They wrecked their getaway vehicle and attempted to flee on foot before being apprehended. All four suspects are now charged with aggravated robbery against a senior. Keion Thompson had just gotten out of custody two days before this incident because he was given deferred adjudication for allegedly pointing a firearm at his girlfriend. This was a warning that he chose to ignore. The police anticipate making additional arrests as the investigation progresses. Understanding “Jugging” and Its Rise in Poker Clubs These crimes are called “jugging.” Criminals follow individuals who withdraw large amounts of cash and rob them when they are in vulnerable situations. This crime, once mostly associated with banks, has started to show up more in poker clubs. The 18-table Lucky J Social Club used to be Johnny Chan's 88 Social. It has changed its name several times, first to 101 Poker Club Richmond, then to Elite Social Club, and now to Lucky J. Reports in the media indicate that poker players often do not report these kinds of events because they prefer not to tarnish the reputation of gaming and don't want to deter other players. However, their silence helps keep illegal activity hidden.
