What happens when Texas Holdem Poker, the “gambler’s game,” is introduced to the world’s most populous and heavy wagering nation? Holdem China explores this question by taking viewers on a trip through a dynamic and rapidly changing nation and into the broader story of a growing phenomenon: from friendly home games to high stakes--and highly illegal--underground poker halls to small towns affected by a serious gambling epidemic to massive factories churning out poker products for the rest of the world, culminating with a buy-in at Major poker tournament.

Our presenter is Luis Tapia, an American filmmaker who has lived in China for six years. Although raised in Texas, he learned Texas Holdem only recently when a high school friend joined him for a trip across China and introduced him to the game. From those first games riding the Chinese rails he was hooked, and sought out action when he returned to his home in Shanghai. He quickly learned of an exploding community of players and the dramatic story of Texas Holdem in China, which he shares with viewers in Holdem China.

In Shanghai

The epicenter of Holdem in mainland China, we examine the early history of the game, beginning with its introduction by expatriates and overseas Chinese to the local population.  We meet pioneering members of its developing grass roots community organizing itself on the Internet.  We participate in games ranging from friendly home games to local tournaments to high stakes underground poker halls.

In Beijing

We meet another large Holdem community, and explore the legal question of gambling in mainland China.  While technically illegal, low stakes gambling is permitted, as evidenced by countless above-board mahjong gambling parlors across China.  Here too we investigate online gambling, and the companies targeting the mainland Chinese market with Mandarin Chinese-language websites and convenient money transfer systems to allow players to convert their Chinese currency.

In Chongqing

We see a Chinese metropolis likely unfamiliar to most of the outside world, despite qualifying by some measures as the world’s largest city.  In addition to meeting the local poker-playing community, we visit a factory producing poker products for export, and discuss China’s role as a producer for the Western world.

In a small town in northern Shandong province

We meet with the publisher of a website dedicated to fighting gambling addiction, and explore the issue of gambling addiction among Chinese.  We discuss the popularity of games of chance and skill, including poker and other traditional games, and meet local enthusiasts.