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Poker has long been a legitimate form of gambling, taking place in official venues like online casinos, online gambling websites, or at home between groups of friends. However, many felt the rules and regulations far too limiting and underground poker rooms sprung up giving players the opportunity to get down to the real business of playing poker. The underground poker rooms were a popular place for players to earn a living, or to prepare for the highly publicised poker tournaments, such as the World Series of Poker and the World Poker Tour. For a while, these illicit venues prospered in New York City, but because they are considered illegal, a push from 2000, has seen many of the clubs and rooms closed down.
In 1988, a film called 'Rounders', sees a young man (Matt Damon) as a reformed gambler who must return to playing big stakes poker to help a friend (Edward Norton) pay off loan sharks. This film takes place in these underground poker rooms. The term Rounder refers to a player or often a card shark that makes a living from playing cards, or making his 'rounds' at the various clubs.
During their heyday from the 1980's through to 2000, before many were closed during a clamp down under the Giuliani administration, the clubs prospered. They provided a venue for players, such as Howard Lederer, Erik Seidel, and Dan Harrington, to develop and hone their skills. 'The Diamond Club' and 'The Mayfair Bridge Club' were two of the bigger names until they too were shut down. Despite this setback, and further interference from authorities, many still did very well and underground poker seemed to maintain some momentum.
However, it wasn't until May 2006, when vice squads descended on venues on what became known as 'Black Thursday' that any lasting effect took place. This had a large impact on the movement, shutting down many of the major players, leaving many with the only option to voluntarily close their doors until the heat subsided.
October 2005, saw police storm a major club near Chelsea and in January 2006, the NYPD swooped down on 'The Hudson Club' and 'Doubletake', the successor to Playstation. In May 2006, vice squads raided four of the remaining major clubs in Manhattan.
Now the underground scene lays dormant with no known significant clubs retaining their activities. Online poker sites are attempting to continue the memory of these clubs with special themed underground poker sites, which feature similar styles and jargon associated with underground poker. The authorities may have put paid to the underground clubs, but those looking for the thrill and atmosphere of these once prosperous establishments have only the internet as their playground.
Stephen Holder.
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