Poker club's bluff called

By TRACY CONNOR DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER One of the swanky poker clubs shut down by cops last week was so confident about its alleged illegal activities it published a newsletter hours before the raid. "We would like to thank you for making the New York Players' Club the premier place in New York City to play poker," the E-mail missive proclaimed. "We look forward to serving you in the years to come." The newsletter boasted about players who posted big wins at legal casinos, promoted new tournaments and classes and even named an "employee of the month." "Pass this E-mail along to friends and family," said the four-page newsletter, listing the club address and phone number. The inaugural issue, obtained by the Daily News, had barely hit members' in-boxes when vice cops swooped down on the gambling parlor at 200 W. 72nd St. on Thursday night. The NYPD also raided a sister club called Play Station in Union Square, arresting three dozen dealers, runners and managers on misdemeanor charges, and seizing $100,000. It's not illegal to play cards at the clubs. But it is illegal for the clubs to take a percentage of every table's pot, police said. The clubs allegedly netted more than $20,000 a day. Fourteen suspects from the Players' Club - including an alleged manager, Harwyn Malkin of Woodside Park, N.J. - were arraigned in Manhattan Criminal Court yesterday on charges of promoting gambling and possession of gambling devices. Malkin had $24,000 in cash on him at the time of his arrest, and an additional $50,000 was found at the club, according to the Manhattan district attorney's office. The club set up shop just over a year ago, at the height of the nationwide poker craze. In February, The News revealed that actors Macaulay Culkin and Hank Azaria had wagered at the gambling lounge. Before the police crackdown, the Players' Club's owners seemed bent on expanding, offering $25 bonuses to anyone who referred a friend to the club. Five 32-inch plasma televisions were installed, and T-shirts and hats with the club logo were being printed. The club was supposed to extend its hours from noon to 6 a.m. every day starting this week, and a $200 Texas Hold 'Em tournament was scheduled for tomorrow. The newsletter heaped praise on "employee of the month" Damon Alexander, the club's tournament director. Alexander could not be reached for comment. With Edward Colby