I am considering opening a poker night in a private club in Los
Angeles. My questions
are as follows:
What is the general legality of playing poker in a private club in Los Angeles ?
What is the legality of operating private club in Los Angeles where players were
charged a 'rake' from each poker pot?
What is the legality of operating the same club where players were
instead charged 'time' every 30 minutes to sit at a poker table in the
club, but the house took no money from the poker pots?
What is the legality of having a poker tournament where players paid a
fee to enter the tournament, and a prize pool was given to the winners
after the house took out a fee?
If such a tourney is illegal, how is having a bridge tournament or
other similar event with a cash prize to the winner legal?

Has poker been established as a game of skill or is it still lawfully
upheld as a game of chance?

I am an attorney, references to specific statutes/cases definitely appreciated. 

It would be helpful I believe to start research with this link
http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=3350#comments

Surely there must be an idle CA attorney out there that's in it for
the fun and doesn't mind doing an hour's worth of research for 2
bucks.

surely, but still looking for that person that has done the research.

The idea of an attorney offering $2 is just hilarious.