High-stakes poker regular and wealthy hedge fund manager Bill Perkins is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of whoever shot shot Tom “3betpanda” Steinbach outside a Texas poker club last week.
The incident occurred in the parking lot of the Texas Card House, an Austin-area social club, at 4 am on April 30. Steinbach, who was leaving the facility after a poker session, was shot by a robber who fled the scene and hasn’t been caught.
A friend of the victim known as @jillianfades on Instagram reported the following day that Steinbach was in stable condition, an upgrade over initial reports that indicated he suffered life-threatening injuries.
Although the suspect got away, the business has 26 surveillance cameras on-site and, according to police, one captured the shooting. But more than a week after the incident, no arrests have been made.
‘Perky’ Steps Up to Plate
Bill Perkins has made enough money as a hedge fund manager to last a dozen lifetimes. Instead of wasting that money, he puts much of it to good use, such as helping poker players get in shape with the motivation of a prop bet.
And now he’s offering up a reward to anyone who can bring the Texas poker club shooter to justice.
Poker Player Bill Perkins has offered an additional $10k reward for information leading to the apprehension of the suspect wanted for last weeks robbery and shooting outside the Texas Card House. If you have any info call Crime Stoppers 512-472-8477. You will remain anonymous.
— Crime Stoppers ATX (@CrimeStopATX) May 6, 2018
The Austin Crime Stoppers uses social media to catch suspected criminals. The organization claims to have solved 10 cases in April through tips provided online.
“We need to protect our community from all threats,” Perkins said in response to the tweet.
Safety Concerns
The Texas Card House, in response to the shooting, hired additional security. But some frequent players and others in the neighborhood have expressed concern about the safety of playing poker in a so-called social club.
One concern has to do with the Texas Card House closing at an advertised time each day. According to one Twitter user who claims to play at the club, that makes it easy for robbers to know when poker players are leaving the facility with cash.
Poker rooms that operate out of a brick-and-mortar casino typically have better security and most casinos are open 24/7.
