Drawing Dead: The Highs and Lows of Online Poker

Drawing Dead: The Highs and Lows of Online Poker is a compelling documentary that is an eye-opener for individuals interested in the world of poker, particularly the internet-based version of the game. Directed by Mike Weeks, the film delivers an unraveled exploration of the online poker landscape, and carefully demonstrates its transformative and captivating weather. It provides a gripping deep-dive into a world that has both cultivated fortunes and instigated misfortunes.

The documentary, instead of focusing on seasoned poker superstars, highlights two specific protagonists. One is a professional poker player, Dusty Schmidt, who is known in the gambling world as "Leatherass". Schmidt, reaching staggering heights in the cyber realm of poker, accumulated millions of dollars over his decade-long online career. Remarkably, however, his journey was not untouched by harsh realities. The film narrates the professional poker player's journey complemented by vividly captured footage of his lifestyle and candid interviews with him and his cohorts.

On the other end of the continuum, there's Michael Korpi Jr., a gifted musician who spiraled into an abyss due to his poker obsession. He was forced to confront adversity more than once due to his unhealthy relationship with online poker. His portion of the story offers a melancholic perspective of online gambling's devastating lows.

Drawing Dead: The Highs and Lows of Online Poker uses these two contrasting narratives to portray a panoramic view of the polarities and paradoxes that define the exhilarating, yet volatile realm of online poker. It is a sober examination of the industry that has inspired dreams, allure, and sometimes, desperation.

This documentary takes a deep dive into what it means to rely on online gambling as a principal source of income, shedding light on the unpredictable nature of the game. The film also explores the psychological aspects of playing online poker for high stakes, considering the immense amount of stress and uncertainty that goes hand in hand with this potentially lucrative yet fleeting profession. It studies the grit, resilience, skills, and even an element of luck needed to succeed at the online poker tables.

Yet, Drawing Dead does not restrict its storyline to the focal characters alone. It incorporates anecdotes and interviews from a broad spectrum of individuals connected to the online poker universe. This includes professional poker players, recovering addicts, industry insiders, and even government personnel who have had a hand in shaping legal policies around online gambling.

Moreover, the film probes into the history of online poker, venturing into its beginnings, its explosive rise, its subsequent legal trouble, and eventually the ambiguous future. Crucially, it covers the infamous "Black Friday" event of April 15, 2011, when the U.S. Department of Justice seized several major online poker sites, which significantly impacted the lives of the two protagonists as well as thousands of other online poker players.

The documentary's original score complements the cinematography, resulting in a gripping narrative that is both informative and entertaining. Expect tense piano lines over poignant scenes, fast-paced rock stylings during high stakes hands, and melancholic tunes framing the challenges and low points.

Drawing Dead: The Highs and Lows of Online Poker, in essence, is a brilliant cinematic piece that doesn't merely recount personal tales. It provides valuable insights into the intense world of online poker from a distinctive vantage point. A compelling narration of the risk, rewards, and the irresistible allure of this modern-day phenomenon, the documentary is both a cautionary tale and a tribute to the resilience of the human spirit, making it a must-watch for gamers, non-gamers, and everyone in between.