How to get Into an Underground Poker Room
This is a post I’ve been meaning to write for a long time. Almost every week I get an email asking how to get into an underground poker game in Manhattan. As a rule I never give out the names or locations of the games I’m playing in, but I can give some hints and tips for how to find the right game for you. Because of the crackdowns by the NYPD since 2006 you almost always have to know someone, and if you don’t know them yet they will likely want to get to know you a little to make sure they can trust you.
First of all, ask your friends. You may have no idea that one friend or another has played in an underground poker game at some point and has a contact number for a dealer. And if one of your friends hasn’t played, maybe one of their friends has!
If your friends don’t know where there is a good game, the next step is to do what you are doing now and look around online a little. As I said, I can’t give out information on games, but there are other resources out there. Places like twoplustwo.com and others are a great place to meet poker friends. They might not be willing to take you to a game right away, but that doesn’t mean they won’t eventually!
Ask around in casinos. I know this might sound counter-intuitive, but a lot of the people you play with at the Borgata, Foxwoods, Parx Casino or Mohegan Sun also play in Manhattan’s underground games. Be social and get to know your table-mates and maybe you’ll find out about a great local game.
Once you’re in though, be warned, you are in! This means that you will likely start getting texts at all hours of the night and day telling you about the next game and pushing you to come. Be ready for it!
