“Poker Night in America” Jam Session (Music Video of Liv Boeree with Tony Mangnall)

“Poker Night in America” is currently filming its sixth extended session of high-stakes cash game action — this time at Turning Stone Casino in Upstate New York.
The first day of action was capped off by an unrehearsed jam session with poker pro-Liv Boeree (on lead guitar), along with show producer Tony Mangnall (on guitar) and cameraman Mike G. (on bass). They performed a Metallica cover song which can be seen in this six-minute video. Note that Liv has not played guitar in nearly five years. But she basically was willing to go with the music and have a good time. Pretty amazing and lots of fun to watch. Here’s a look:
Here are some photos I took earlier on Friday of the poker action. Day Two will be played tomorrow. We’ll be shooting all weekend. These episodes will be shown early next year, however — some segments will air much sooner. “Poker Night in America” can be seen on CBS Sports Network on Sunday nights, at 10 pm PST. Re-runs are broadcast the following Saturday. night.

Todd Anderson isn’t dealing. But the creator of “Poker Night in America” looks pretty comfortable in the box, giving players some last-minute instructions.

Cherish Andrews (left), Liv Boeree (center), and Cindy Kerslake (right) livened up the action. Andrews is a local player who plays lots of major tournaments. Everyone knows world-famous astrophysicist Boeree. And Kerslake is a cash game pro from Calgary, Alberta. All three ladies joined PNIA for the first time here in New York.

A full table is overseen by Joe Sartori (standing). Action took place in the VIP lounge on the second floor of the casino. Turning Stone has been a terrific host.

Don’t ask, don’t tell. Lighting problems stop the action, temporarily. Jesse Sylvia and Phil Hellmuth don’t seem to mind.

Super serious David Patent, from Chicago, joins PNIA for the first time. Patent used to be an executive with Caesars Entertainment and worked at the WSOP. He’s a good friend to poker players and we were glad to have him with us.

High-stakes poker pro Shaun Deeb has a few laughs. That’s Chris Capra, behind and off to the right. I worked with Chris for a while with PokerStars.com. Now, he’s in charge of marketing for 888poker, which is doing well in New Jersey.

Phil Laak, a.k.a. “the Unibomber,” and to his right is Cindy Kerslake. She’s a full-time poker pro who plays in those cash-rich games fueled by the oil boom in Western Canada.

Here’s Liv, again. Hey, don’t blame me for the lousy pictures. I know my photos suck. I’m a writer — not a photographer.

Forgot his name. He looks familiar. I think he cashed at the WSOP once. Not sure. Doubt if he’ll do well in this game full of pros.

Jesse Sylvia, now an 888poker pro, is fast becoming one of my favorite players in the game. Great talent, diverse interests, fun to talk to, and modest about his success. Sylvia finished second two years ago in the world championship to Greg Merson. But don’t feel too sorry for him. Sylvia pocketed close to $6 million. This was his first appearance on the PNIA show.

Who says poker isn’t a game of skill? Here, Shaun Deeb tosses bean bags to determine the seating order for the cash game (seriously).

Encore! One more time for the “Poker Night in America” impromptu band, who ended what turned out to be a super day at Turning Stone.





The only thing I like better than poker is playing music. They did a fine job. The song sounded a bit like “Ready For Love” by Rare Earth.
OK my bad! Ready for love- Bad Company