PokerNews Podcast

In the 978th episode of the PokerNews Podcast, which is sponsored by FanDuel Poker, Chad Holloway, Mike Holtz, and Ben Ludlow are at Level 9 Studio in Las Vegas to talk about the Brazilian poker player kicked out of a 2026 World Series of Poker (WSOP) event for smoking and putting tournament chips in his jacket pocket. They also examine the largest pot in High Stakes Poker history, discuss Ethan "Rampage" Yau's cash game heater, and offer updated thoughts on Martin Kabrhel. From there, it's a look at recent gold bracelet winners, including Calvin Anderson, Joey Couden, Zachary Gruneberg, Marco Johnson, and Joao Simao. Plus, lots of talk about Santhosh Suvarna and Shaun Deeb. Finally, the crew thanks sponsors Think Jerky, which you can order here, and FanDuel Poker, which is sponsoring this year's Maryland State Poker Championship. Oh, and don't forget to enter our latest giveaway for autographed books! A new PokerNews Podcast drops three times a week during the 2026 WSOP! You can expect a new episode every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 8a PT / 11a ET / 4p UK time. Remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you do not miss an episode! Time Stamps *Time Topic* 00:00 | Welcome to the show 01:52 | Smoking player kicked out 06:03 | Largest Pot in HSP History 12:08 | Rampage on a Rampage 20:00 | Thoughts on Martin Kabrhel 23:00 | Calvin Anderson wins 2 bracelets 25:20 | Joey Couden beats Shaun Deeb 28:24 | Marco Johnson claims bracelet 29:30 | Chino Rheem doesn't have a bracelet 31:24 | Zachary Gruneberg wins third bracelet 32:30 | Joao Simao wins $50K PLO High Roller 33:07 | Think Jerky 34:10 | Maryland State Poker Championship 35:30 | Book giveaway

In the 976th episode of the PokerNews Podcast, which is sponsored by FanDuel Poker, Chad Holloway, Mike Holtz, and Ben Ludlow are back at Level 8 Studio in Las Vegas to catch up on all things 2026 World Series of Poker (WSOP). That includes looking at the big winners and losers from the Million Dollar Cash Game, including big hands by Alan Keating, Texas Mike, and Martin Kabrhel. Speaking of Kabrhel, he got into it with both Daniel Negreanu and Martin Zamani, and it seems the tide may be turning on how a lot of fans and other players feel about him. From there, the crew discusses Jared Bleznick's controversial comments against the Seniors High Roller, the current Player of the Year standings, and bracelet wins by some of the biggest names in the game, including Nick Schulman, Alex Foxen, Yuri Dzivielevski, and Adrian Mateos. Plus, Rich Alsup and Eddie Blumenthal both nabbed WSOP hardware. Finally, learn who won the Bar Poker Open Championship at the Golden Nugget for a smooth $100,000! A new PokerNews Podcast drops three times a week during the 2026 WSOP! You can expect a new episode every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 8a PT / 11a ET / 4p UK time. Remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you do not miss an episode! Time Stamps *Time Topic* 00:00 | Welcome to the show 00:23 | Mike wins a bracelet 02:47 | Million Dollar Game 03:27 | Martin Kabrhel vs Alan Keating 07:06 | Texas Mike flips versus Eric Wasserson 10:50 | Do people still like Martin Kabrhel? 15:15 | Backlash over Jared Bleznick comments 20:29 | Adrian Mateos claims 6th bracelet 23:40 | Nick Schulman wins again 25:14 | Alex Foxen gets bracelet No. 4 26:00 | Current POY standings 28:13 | Yuri Dzivielevski binks bracelet 30:00 | Rich Alsup victorious in Monster Stack 31:37 | Eddie Blumenthal gets job done 34:13 | Think Jerky 35:45 | Bar Poker Open Championship

In a special 974th episode of the PokerNews Podcast, which is sponsored by FanDuel Poker, Mike Holtz and Ben Ludlow come to you from the floor of the 2026 World Series of Poker (WSOP) and are joined by special guest and 2006 WSOP Player of the Year Jeff Madsen. With co-host Chad Holloway away for the week, the three discuss Holtz winning his second bracelet in Event #31: $1,500 Super Turbo Bounty No-Limit Hold'em. The two-time WSOP.com POY topped a field of 2,103 entries and defeated heads-up opponent Mei Seow to win a career-best $238,097 and his first live bracelet. Holtz, who had a rowdy rail that included Ludlow and Madsen, also delivered one of the most epic bracelet win celebrations in recent memory. Watch Holtz, Ludlow and Madsen as they discuss Holtz's final table run, Maurice Hawkins running deep on the same day, whether Holtz' rowdy rail helped him win the bracelet, Ludlow being on the rail for both Holtz' and Madsen's bracelet victories, Holtz' plans for his bracelet ceremony, and final table strategy in super turbo events. Learn About PokerNews' New MyPlayers Feature! Find out all about those stories and more in this week's episode of the PokerNews Podcast! Oh, and be sure to check out the audio version of the PokerNews Podcast that is available on all major podcasting platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and SoundCloud. A new PokerNews Podcast drops three times a week during the 2026 WSOP! You can expect a new episode every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 8a PT / 11a ET / 4p UK time. Remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you do not miss an episode! Time Stamps Time Topic 0:00 Introducing guest Jeff Madsen 0:37 Maurice Hawkins runs deep 1:47 Mike's epic reaction to winning second bracelet 4:23 Mike's rail 8:15 Online bracelets versus live bracelets 15:21 Karma and Maurice Hawkins 20:21 Super Turbo strategy 26:54:00 Mike's bracelet ceremony Tell us who you want to hear from. Let us know what you think of the show — tweet about the podcast using #PNPod, and be sure to follow Chad Holloway on X. Subscribe to the PokerNews Podcast on Apple Podcasts here! You can also find us on Spotify as well as our new page on SoundCloud! Check Out Past Episodes of the PN Podcast Here!

In the 972nd episode of the PokerNews Podcast, which is sponsored by FanDuel Poker, Chad Holloway, Mike Holtz, and Ben Ludlow come to you from the floor of the 2026 World Series of Poker (WSOP) where they are joined by special cohost Bobby James. You might recall that James was on the winning end of the four-card flop hand involving Ricky Landais. James talks about the hand from his perspective, plus what it was like notching a six-figure score while playing from an airplane, commentating while Ren Lin was originally banned from a WSOP event, and more. As for the episode's main story, that would be Kristen Foxen, who took down her first WSOP $25K High Roller for a career score and her sixth WSOP gold bracelet. She's already the WSOP's most-decorated female player, but could she be poker's G.O.A.T.? It's quite possible. Learn more about Foxen's impressive win and see one of the hands that helped get her there. We also have the 2026 WSOP's first two-time bracelet winner, a POY race that's heating up, and our boy, Jeff Madsen, got it done by spinning a short stack into WSOP gold! Finally, don't miss your chance to win another autographed copy of the poker classic Positively Fifth Street by Jim McManus. A new PokerNews Podcast drops three times a week during the 2026 WSOP! You can expect a new episode every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 8a PT / 11a ET / 4p UK time. Remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you do not miss an episode! Time Stamps *Time Topic* 00:00 | Welcome to the show 00:21 | Bobby James joins the show 01:51 | Playing poker on an airplane 02:50 | Kristen Foxen wins 6th bracelet 13:51 | Summer's first two-time bracelet winner 17:28 | Jeff Madsen victorious! 21:45 | Being there for Ren Lin's ban 24:30 | Bobby's 4-card flop perspective 27:10 | Book Giveaway 27:59 | Think Jerky

In the 970th episode of the PokerNews Podcast, which is sponsored by FanDuel Poker, Chad Holloway welcomes a special guest to Level 9 Studio: 91-year-old Vince Burgio, a legend of poker in the 1990s. One of the most accomplished and feared poker players from 1990 to 2005, Burgio won a World Series of Poker (WSOP) gold bracelet in 1994, the same year he made the final table of the WSOP Main Event. Burgio talks about his success at the WSOP, as well as in popular tournament series of the day like the Poker Hall of Fame Classic, Four Queens Poker Classic, and more. Burgio also brought in some cool pieces of poker history to show off, including his bracelet, several trophies, poker chips, and lots of silver. Plus, several poker stars stop by to offer their thoughts on Burgio, including Allen Kessler, Phil Hellmuth, and Daniel Negreanu. Here's your opportunity to hear stories from a poker legend who helped bridge the gap from the old days of Texas road gamblers through to the Poker Boom. A new PokerNews Podcast drops three times a week during the 2026 WSOP! You can expect a new episode every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 8a PT / 11a ET / 4p UK time. Remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you do not miss an episode! Time Stamps *Time Topic* 00:00 | Welcome to the show 00:30 | Vince Burgio joins the show 03:00 | Burgio's autobiography 06:54 | Support of wife Debbie 08:22 | Tom McEvoy on Vince Burgio 10:13 | Winning a WSOP gold bracelet 12:45 | Making the 1994 WSOP Main Event final table 16:30 | Mark Gregorich on Vince Burgio 20:53 | Allen Kessler on Vince Burgio 21:30 | Johnny Moss 22:43 | Phil Hellmuth on Vince Burgio 24:05 | Remembering characters of the game 27:30 | Story with Daniel Negreanu 28:40 | What's the secret to a long poker life? 32:49 | Nolan Dalla on Vince Burgio 34:45 | Vince's poker legacy

In the 968th episode of the PokerNews Podcast, which is sponsored by FanDuel Poker, Chad Holloway, Mike Holtz, and Ben Ludlow are at Level 9 Studio in Las Vegas for the 2026 World Series of Poker (WSOP). To kick things off, they show footage from a recent police raid at Houston's Lucky J's Social Club in Texas. While it may have been reminiscent of the raid at The Lodge back in March, it's actually quite different, as the crew explains. From there, they turn their attention to the WSOP, including a look at the brand new main stage arena that debuted on Friday. Hear from the new WSOP Countdown crew, including Jeff Platt, David Williams, Norman Chad, and Joe "Stapes" Stapleton. Plus, a tour of the WSOP shop featuring brand new merchandise and clothing that harkens back to the WSOP days of old. Speaking of the WSOP, the first bracelet has been awarded, 90-year-old legend Perry Green made a deep run, and High Stakes Live is coming in June! Other stories include Shawn Sheikhan getting out of prison, Daniel Negreanu and his wife are expecting their first child, and an entertaining live-stream from The Lodge featuring Doug Polk, Garrett Adelstein, and Alan Keating, the last two playing against each other for the first time. Oh, and you won't want to miss the tale of Big John Oakinson. A new PokerNews Podcast drops three times a week during the 2026 WSOP! You can expect a new episode every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 8a PT / 11a ET / 4p UK time. Remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you do not miss an episode! Time Stamps *Time Topic* 00:00 | Welcome to the show 00:30 | New Sponsor: PokerStars x FanDuel 01:09 | Houston poker room raided 08:20 | Shawn Sheikhan out of prison 11:30 | WSOP debuts new main stage arena 15:20 | A look at the new WSOP merchandise 16:55 | Big John Okinson 17:47 | Daniel Negreanu having a baby! 19:00 | PokerNews Podcast giveaway 21:09 | PokerNews MyPlayers 22:25 | First WSOP bracelet awarded 23:15 | WSOP legend Perry Green makes a run 24:20 | High Stakes Live coming to WSOP 26:45 | Polk vs. Adelstein vs. Keating at The Lodge 28:10 | CSOP Event #100

In the 966th episode of the PokerNews Podcast, which is sponsored by WPT Global, Chad Holloway and Mike Holtz, and Ben Ludlow are back at Level 9 Studio in Las Vegas, where they are once again joined by Jeff Platt. There are a lot of questions surrounding the 2026 World Series of Poker (WSOP), including rule changes, patches, dealer ratings, and whether or not Jesse Yaginuma and James Carroll will be allowed back. Jeff answers them all, as well as a look into some new things, such as a new merch store, the WSOP Countdown Show, and members of the WSOP family. Jeff also talks about being on a team drafting for the $25K Fantasy, which took place later that evening. Chad headed over to speak with Daniel Negreanu and David "ODB" Baker while offering a look at the draft itself. The crew then remembers online poker legislative champion, Congressman Barney Frank, who recently passed away, and then offer you a chance to win a seat to this weekend's 100th Charity Series of Poker (CSOP) event! A new PokerNews Podcast drops three times a week during the 2026 WSOP! You can expect a new episode every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 8a PT / 11a ET / 4p UK time. Remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you do not miss an episode! Time Stamps *Time Topic* 00:00 | Welcome to the show 00:20 | Jeff Platt joins the show 01:08 | Patches at WSOP 09:15 | Dealer Ratings 14:33 | WSOP Family 20:40 | New Merch Store 24:20 | Parking issues 25:20 | $25K Family 26:20 | Video highlights from $25K Fantasy 29:32 | PokerNews MyPlayers 29:49 | Jesse Yaginuma & James Carroll 33:00 | CSOP Giveaway 33:50 | Remembering Barney Frank

In the 964th episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway and Mike Holtz are once again joined by Jeff Madsen, who reflects on the 20th anniversary of his 2006 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Player of the Year win. The trio also discusses the new dealer rating system announced by the WSOP, and whether or not it'll be a net positive for the game. They also discuss the new rule put in place to combat third-party WSOP influence, like what happened with the Milly Maker last year. But could it have unintended consequences when it comes to staking, swapping, and the $25K Fanatasy Draft? Speaking of controversial things, there was a brouhaha when Matt Savage announced that headphones would be a topic discussed at this year's Tournament Directors Association (TDA) Summit. That led to Nick Palma and Victoria Livschitz getting into it. Plus, hear about winners from the Aussie Millions and European Poker Tour (WPT) Monte Carlo, and Joe "Stapes" Stapleton leaving his gig at the EPT after many successful years. A new PokerNews Podcast drops every Thursday at 8a PT / 11a ET / 4p UK time. Remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you do not miss an episode! Time Stamps *Time Topic* 00:00 | Welcome to the show 00:35 | 2026 WSOP 01:00 | New Dealer Ranking System 06:40 | Worrisome WSOP Rule? 15:12 | Remembering Doyle Brunson 16:00 | TDA Summit 16:30 | Headphones Ban? 21:30 | 20th Anniversary of Jeff Madsen's POY 24:05 | PokerNews MyPlayers 24:47 | Aussie Millions 28:46 | EPT Monte Carlo 29:35 | Stapes departs EPT