I know probably everyone on here has seen the show, and everyone has their opinion of it, but I'm a little afraid about what this show will do to poker. Next week's episode has player's playing in teams and using signals in order to control the table. I'm afraid that young people will think this is acceptable, and I'll end up playing w/ cheaters.

I think we should all file a class-action lawsuit against ESPN. If they are gonna pull this shit base it in the illegal clubs in New York. I am really surprised Vegas hasn't caused a fit - but they do film it in Canada.

For opinions of the show, see the thread of this same name under "General Discussions." Out of curiosity though, what do you think this show will do to poker that hasn't historically always been present in the landscape of the game and its portrayal in television and movies?

Poker has always had a nefarious element associated with it dating back to riverboat days. Tag-teaming and signalling aren't much younger. Heck, my nickname gets its origins from 19th century sleight of hand performed at a card table by crooked dealers.

Most shows that feature poker, aside from modern day tournament broadcasts, have always included/glamorized cheating in some fashion or other. It isn't like Tilt is doing anything new (its just doing it worse than most of the other poker movies/shows ever made...).

If you've played the game for any length of time, odds are you've already played with cheaters...either knowingly or unknowingly. People of questionable moral character don't need a television show to tip them off to the possibility they can scam the game...their brains are already looking for and dreaming up ways of doing this. Saying Tilt is going to make young people think cheating at the game is alright is the same as saying watching CSI is going to send the message that murder is alright.

The show isn't going to do anything to the viewing public that wouldn't have happened on its own anyhow (except that maybe several thousand more men are now turning ESPN off on Thursday evenings than before...). If you're worried, the remember that the basic rules that have always applied still apply -- always watch the deck, always be aware of your surroundings, play in reputable locales whenever possible, and if it doesn't feel right take your money and get the hell out of dodge!

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To be successful in business, surround yourself with professionals. To be successful in poker, surround yourself with idiots.

Come on shade, glamorizing cheating is of course going to increase the number of people that try it, and may keep honest people from playing.

The odds movie ever 4-5 years does not compare to a weekly series that is supposed to be based in Vegas.

I think most people watching television are intelligent enough to tell the difference between fiction and reality. If they aren't, then are they actually a danger to anyone but themselves if they try to cheat?

If there's an honest person who would watch this P.O.S. show and not play based on what has been seen in the first two eps, do you REALLY think they ever would have sat down at a table anyhow? Look at online play...you can't name a major site that's been around and not do a google search to find a multitude of sites claiming its "fixed" in some capacity, but online play continues to flourish and grow. People who want to play, play...people who don't, don't.

As for the cheaters, I repeat...these are the same people who are ALREADY looking for ways to scam the system. A morally straight person isn't going to watch Tilt and suddenly decide to go crooked. At worst, the show might get someone to try a new cheating technique which they've never previously thought up. Admittedly, that's not good...but, once again, these are people already looking to scam the system...they were a danger to the game long before Tilt ever came on the scene and will remain such long after you and I have plucked our eyeballs out of our skulls and finished screaming in agony from watching it. The show hasn't changed the "if," its only influenced the "how."

And, if they're going to cheat at my table, I'd prefer it be using techniques that everyone and their dog was able to view on ESPN umpteen times a week.

Its not like we're participating in a game with a spotless reputation. Poker lore and poker history is synonymous with tales of cheating and underhanded play. That's part of the territory and if you play the game, its an implied risk you accept. Use common sense in choosing your game and your gambling environment and everything will be cool.

__________________
:cool:

To be successful in business, surround yourself with professionals. To be successful in poker, surround yourself with idiots.

I found a great review of the third episode on Sportsfanmagazine.com. Its pretty funny, check it out:
http://www.sportsfanmagazine.com/content/view/1190/29/

I think they're reviewing every episode as they air.