Yeah, taped using an "Eyeglass Spy Cam" - bit surprised they aired it without getting releases signed or blurring out everyone's face (there were a couple shown).

Seeing "Nat Geo" in the title is enough for me to assume its a ball of cheese.

Will prob still watch

It's not about the terrible poker. People play terrible poker online (yes, even post bf) and live including legit b&m casinos. It's more about feeling safe and not worrying about being robbed, cheated, insane rake, shady people, and being arrested.

True online isn't the same nowadays (it sucks compared to pre bf obv) and our money is still at risk with the shadier sites still left for us, but i dont have 5 figures online playing the stakes i used to pre bf. Being American post black Friday i've had to focus on another career other than poker and more so play to keep my skills up and for fun and dont want all the risks and inconveniences.

The truth is we're all degenerate gamblers and just the thought of being able to watch a poker show makes us happy. It doesn't matter how staged it may or may not be.

Don't documentaries have different rules regarding releases? Did Michael Moore lose a lawsuit?

I’d have to disagree on the first part. i'm definitely not a degenerate gambler and in fact, I’ve never gambled on anything other than poker and it’s not like I’m gambling it up playing poker. Not even blackjack. Have no desire to play other casino games.

Here is a couple video links for those interested. No full episodes, just a couple clips.

http://channel.nationalgeographic.co...me-this-favor/

http://channel.nationalgeographic.co...up-or-shut-up/

is this episode on demand now? i'm so upset i missed this.

You didn't miss much.

you can find it online with a quick google search

I happen to have played with Vlad a number of times. He is a very good player and knowledgeable about games of this nature. (Not in the game featured in this program). Virtually everything he said in this post and his following posts is correct. The majority of underground spots on the Island/Brooklyn/NYC are not similar to this at all. 5/10 does get off in a number of spots, as does 2/5, although obviously 1/2 NL will continue to be the most prevalent game (as well as $100+$20 tournaments and the like).

Breezy does play very well. Everyone else in the show seems like a clown who can't play for ****, although I have sat in 1/2 games with Joe Rocks, who played reasonably well.

I do not doubt that Nat Geo planted hidden cameras or spiced things up by dictating certain hands, rivers, etc.

Vlad, why are you backing up the guys whose game that (kony i think)? and lol at breezy being a great player

Hard to believe spyglass cams could have quality that good. Aside from the game Mush goes to recruit at all the other stuff was too good quality to be hidden cameras.

Just watched it..on the fence how legit it is. Didn't mind it tbh.

Eyeglass cams were only used on the recruitment game iirc. All the other games cameras were out in the open and visible in many shots. They even set up flop cams.

That was the only portion of the show that they stated was filmed with eyeglass cameras.

No way could Nat Geo get in any trouble. What are people going to say "I was doing something illegal and shouldn't be taped"? Somehow don't think they got the people in "To catch a predator" to sign releases first.

The dude who wore the eyeglass camera covertly, though (Mush) might have to worry about more than just the money he owes, though.

Pretty good point IMO

are more episodes of underground poker coming in the following weeks or is this one and done?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsjKPPY7XPM

Thank you for the link. Just got done watching it...
wow...so cringe-worthy and so Jersey Shore-esq. Tough to watch yet tough to look away...and I'm originally from Queens. I grew up and know all these type of guys, and then some...
I was born in the Bronx but lived in Queens most of my life. I never went to or hung out on Staten Island where most of the these guys are from and the show takes place. I always hung out in Queens, Manhattan, or Long Island. To me Staten Island is almost not a part of NYC as no one from the other boroughs ever go there and usually only go though Staten Island just to get to Jersey. I think most New Yorkers NOT from Staten Island would probably tell you the same thing. (I feel the SI'ers hate coming my way lol)
I got into poker a few years ago playing online, then trecking down to AC (mostly for tourneys at Boragata, Cesars, Harrahs etc..) then started playing in some of these so-called "underground" games. I kind of laugh at this term because I don't feel like it's some sort of deep, dark, scary world ran by Russian or Italian mob bosses or creepy and shady characters like in the movies. It's more like a group or club where like minded individuals with a common interest go to meet and hang out. As a previous poster pointed out, if you live in NYC, driving 2 hours to play is not what you always want to do just to get out of the house and get get into a game.
A few years ago I found a place in Astoria (Queens) to play nicknamed the "4th floor" It operated in an office building after normal business hours (obv) and was actually set up very modern and comfortable. It had room for at least 5 tables, with always 2 full tables going. There were leather sofas and recliners, multiple flat screens with all the local sports teams on, bar and snacks area, and separate smoking room. I would usually play here a few times a month and never had a problem. The players were always friendly and respectful of one another and there were no big egos in the room. One time I even took my friend, who is also a medical doctor to play, and he had such a good time he begged me the following day to take him again. (A decision I regret since I gave back much of the 2k I had won the 1st night. BBV side note lol: I won one 3 way all-in pot for $1,800 with quad queens
This place has since closed but I have played at many other places throughout Queens, Manhattan, and Brooklyn and don't consider this to be an accurate representation of the "underground" poker "scene".
The places I've played are so diverse in race, color, age, and gender and were not on the move every other night and ran much more professionally than what was shown.
I think this show was somewhat of an attempt to ride off the Jersey Shore popularity/stereotype, hence all the goombas and guidos and wannabe tough guys. Jersey Shore gained it's popularity because it is such a train wreck and a clusterf*ck, which is the essence of this show. Nowadays, the reality, watching a train wreck in-progress shows rule, and get all the ratings. And this, IMO, was just attempt to be just another one.
Luckily I moved to Florida 6 months ago. I love it here and dont miss any of those type if moops. Yeah I said moops, it's a NY thang...lulz

Question for those familiar with the underground games and credit system:

I agree, and I know stakers who set up limits with the person they're staking ahead of time. For example, "You're on the books for $2000, if at any point you're up $1000 you're out of the game and pay me." Pretty standard for intelligent hosts/backers. I'm not sure Mikey Tatts is one of those, though.

Haven't had Nat Geo for years, since when were their shows so fake?