MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. - A group of South Carolina poker players that want to challenge the state's 200-year-old gambling law have been become celebrities of a sort.

The story of the so-called "Mount Pleasant 18," who were arrested last April for playing Texas Hold'em, has been mentioned on various Web sites and other gamblers are offering support.

"A $20 game of poker shouldn't be a crime," said Michael Bolcerek, president of the Poker Players Alliance, pledging his support.

No trial date has been set, but the group's spokesman, Robert Chimento, said they expect to be found guilty. The group will then challenge the state law through the appeals process.

Last April police raided a poker game that had been advertised on a Web site, handing out citations, seizing nearly $6,000 in cash and a small quantity of drugs. Four of those arrested paid a $100 fine.

The remaining 18 pleaded not guilty, wanting to challenge the state's gambling law.

The law bans games with cards or dice. Chimento said that makes everything from bridge to games like "Monopoly" illegal in South Carolina.