A homeowner in Kamloops didn’t know when to fold.

This after a man was fined more than $3,000 for hosting a card game with nine other people past midnight last night.

Sgt. Darren Michels says police showed up to the home in the 1800-block of Hugh Allan Drive at 1 a.m., one hour after new sweeping orders were introduced in Interior Health which included banning all gathering in private homes.

Michels says the ten people playing were not social distancing, weren’t wearing masks and there was no sanitation stations set up. He says the homeowner was also “allegedly very uncooperative and was subsequently arrested for obstructing the police officers.”

The 37-year-old was released from custody once his guests left and fined for hosting a gathering ($2,300), not taking direction from an enforcement officer ($230), encourage attendance at a non-compliant gathering ($230), and for belligerent behaviour ($230).

Supt. Syd Lecky says it’s disheartening when officers have to attend a gathering like this, which he says puts everyone at risk of contracting COVID-19.

“The uncooperative nature of the homeowner just makes this even more troublesome,” he said. “Our priority is to educate people to change their behaviour for the safety of everyone.”

For several weeks, provincial health orders have banned gatherings in private homes of more than six people. Orders were tightened on Nov. 7 for the Lower Mainland, and as of midnight last night those orders were expanded to include the entire province.

The ban on social gatherings is currently set to expire on Dec. 7, though it could be extended further.