Poker Night in America has a Lot of Potential BUT I’m Not Sold Yet
So I’ve caught the first few episodes of Poker Night in America and the one thing I’ve settled on is that I’m going to have to see more of this show before making a final determination about it.
There is a lot to like about PNiA, and there are a few elements I’m not completely thrilled with, but this could very well be just a byproduct of all of the episodes thus far happening in the same filming and having the same general vibe.
So far the episodes have all taken place at the Turning Stone Casino in upstate New York (filming for PNiA coincided with the Empire State Poker Championship). Thus far the show has featured an overly upbeat and exuberant group of players, save for one intensely awkward moment between Shaun Deeb and Mike Matusow…
No spoilers here, just watch the show Sunday Nights at 10 PM on CBS Sports.
The PNiA Rorschach Test
Here’s the thing; I like the structure of the show, but some of the banter and general shenanigans seem to be too forced. I doubt this is the case, but there are simply moments where it seems like a neon sign lights up above the table telling the players to laugh, like the kind you see at the filming of a live sitcom.
My guess is that they were told beforehand to be entertaining (I don’t just think this, it was expressly stated by Nolan Dalla when they were looking for potential players), but there is a line that can easily get crossed between keeping a poker game lighthearted and making it seem surreal, and at times PNiA seems to cross that line.
I’ll pin part of this on the inaugural cast, which is a bit too heavy on “fun” players and also seems to have some players who seem to be forcing their fun selves to the surface.
It’s one thing to have Mike Matusow or Gavin Smith or Phil Laak at a table; it’s another thing entirely to have all of them at a poker table at the same time, while at the same time two or three other players cracking up at non-funny things. I’ve seen play money tables that took things more seriously.
What I liked
First and foremost, the audio on the table is incredible, you can hear all the conversation and it’s crystal clear. Kudos to the production team.
The cash game is for high, but not ungodly stakes, and is something that viewers would likely see in their local casino from time to time. In other words, it’s believable and something they could actually partake in without taking out a second mortgage if they had the inclination.
I think the cast was a bit over the top and maybe a bit too talkative, but all in all I like the selections. It also seems like they have a good handle on the type of players that will make good TV.
Additionally, I like the way they ran through the tournament results in a single segment, not bothering with showing the “exciting” all-ins that we have seen a thousand times before. Great decision.
What I’m Not Really Sure About…
It’s no secret I’m not a fan of portraying poker as a way to live some carefree lifestyle where money simply doesn’t matter. I hate any mention of credit card roulette or foolish prop bets, as it just paints poker and poker players in the wrong light in my opinion – an opinion not everyone agrees with by the way.
It seems PNiA is going to focus on some of these antics.
For instance, there was a segment regarding a prop bet on the golf course and it literally sounded like 10 grade school kids trying to pick sides for a kickball game.
While the casual viewer may enjoy seeing these players match wits at a poker table for ridiculous sums of money I think it’s a major turnoff to people who bust their ass to scratch out a living to see people frivolously throwing money around – money that equates to their monthly car payment or rent in some cases.
Some Possible Improvements
Here is the part where I pretend like I have a say in the matter.
First improvement that is needed: The infographic at the bottom of the screen is kind of hard to follow.
Second, I’d like to see more amateur players. Having people who are playing way above their pay grade adds instant drama to the game. Or, since the players are using their own money, how about if we…
… Stick these pros in a low stakes cash game, and let them run wild. How about grabbing a handful of players from the casino and setting them up in a $1/$2 cash game where two or three of the seats are occupied by pro players who suddenly start playing bananas? It would be fun to see the amateur players react to seeing pros and try to adjust to their crazy play, and I don’t even think you need hole card cameras. Could make for a fun segment each week in my opinion.
Also, as I mentioned above, I’d like to see a lineup with less bluster. Hopefully the next few stops feature a different mix of players with different dynamics, some of whom are not just chatty or giggling but can tell interesting/funny stories.
