Raising The Stakes: Underground Poker in Essex, UK (Short Documentary)

Take a look inside this underground poker room that emerged in Essex as a result of the pandemic. With legal card rooms and casinos not reopening since lockdown, a group of poker players decided to start their own game. As the stakes get higher, tensions rise and the organisers must navigate the risks of running an illegal gambling operation. The film explores the thrill of the game, the community of players, and the legal and ethical questions raised by the underground poker scene.
This short documentary was featured at the Southend Film Festival 2023.
Directed By: Paul Sussex
Featuring: Dan, Rich, Liv, Reeney, Lee, Tom The Viking, Ben, Jake, Rumble and Corrine.
Music: Epidemic Sound.

[@SquattersVision]

As a Swedish person living in beautiful Brazil.. this makes me want to move to the UK just to be part of this game

[@dawidpastor8875]

Great job! Keep doing! Poker lover from Poland

[@BoraxExterminator]

Nothing like spending 6 hour grinding a tourney with a smoke alarm bleep every 20 seconds

[@ukxgerard]

Great stuff. I am from westcliff / southend area and this looks like a great time. Well done .

[@i_bbag_jamie2866]

excellent video, lookiong forward to many more

[@stuartneill990]

Great video and I think the venue is spot on.

[@EckoUnlimmited]

I played here a lot, great place.

[@daniel-raoulrobert9397]

I first started playing poker in those rooms back in 2008. Then in 2010 i started to become a croupier and in 2011 I started to organize my own games in my appartement. 2 tables. I have been financially independent ever since. Best job ever!

[@mikewatt8706]

howz it going now

[@InfamousROC]

Any links in Birmingham??

[@johnseverson6604]

Can someone please put a new battery in the smoke detector??

[@phrog6073]

maan these games look so soft they probably play like in the pre solver era