PokerNews Podcast

In the 969th 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 talk about a big hand played by Phil Ivey, one that left the usually stone-faced poker pro in shock. See the hand and learn what happened! From there, it's a discussion on why Jeremy Ausmus may have been denied a vlogger pass, big names falling just short of gold bracelets, and Alan Keating no-showing the $25,000 Heads-Up Championship.
Speaking of that tournament, Daniel Negreanu was cruising right along until he suffered a series of unfortunate events, including a river bad beat that you can see in this episode. Some other things you can see are the $1,000,000 bounty pull from the $550 Mini Mystery Millions tournament and highlights from the Charity Series of Poker (CSOP) Event #100 with Matt Stout.
Finally, the PokerNews Podcast has a new sponsor in Think Jerky, and as fate would have it, there's a poker connection between Chad and the brand's Pat's Cheesesteak stick that dates back more than a decade to a poker game in Philadelphia. Learn all about that, and while you're at it, be sure to check out Think Jerky!
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
00:00 | Welcome to the show
01:33 | Phil Ivey shocked after big hand
05:17 | Jeremy Ausmus denied vlogger pass
11:00 | Big names fall short
12:52 | Alan Keating no-shows $25K HU
16:09 | Daniel Negreanu's bad beat
20:05 | Mini Mystery $1,000,000 winner
30:45 | CSOP's 100th event
32:15 | Think Jerky

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 967th 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 first official episode of the 2026 World Series of Poker (WSOP), which officially got underway with a rather strange hand in which an instruction card found its way onto the flop. 
It was a funny start to the summer, which also kicked off with some smaller numbers across town, where the Wynn had an overlay. Is it a sign of things to come in Las Vegas, which has become increasingly more expensive? Speaking of the WSOP getting underway, Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi gave the ceremonial "Shuffle up and deal," while Martin Kabrhel is already up to his old antics.
The crew then made a bet on their favorite 25K Fantasy teams. The Lodge reopened in Texas, and Craig Welko claimed RGPS Player of the Year honors. Finally, Ray Kondler of Kondler & Associates came into the studio to share the latest on the current poker tax situation, while Robbie Strazynski dropped by to talk about his upcoming Mixed Game Festival XIV at Bellagio.
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
01:10 | Instruction card dealt on the flop
02:25 | Low numbers on first day
04:36 | Playing with Nikki Limo
07:05 | Price of Las Vegas
11:23 | Grinder gives "Shuffle Up & Deal"
12:27 | Martin Kabrhel back at it
16:00 | Favorite $25K Fantasy Teams
19:00 | Ray Kondler on poker taxes
28:00 | The Lodge reopens in Texas
28:58 | Craig Welko wins RGPS POY
30:07 | Robbie Strazynski talks Mixed Game Festival XIV

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 965th episode of the PokerNews Podcast, which is sponsored by WPT Global, Chad Holloway and Mike Holtz are joined by Matt Berkey at Level 9 Studio in Las Vegas to discuss the brouhaha surrounding patches at the 2026 World Series of Poker (WSOP), a topic spurred by a social media post from Patrick Leonard. What's the situation, and should you be worried?
The trio then discusses Charlie Carrel being banned from entering the USA for nine years now, stemming from a drug arrest, poker returning next week to The Lodge in Texas, and an update on the bankruptcy of Maurice Hawkins, who amended his court filing to include his "friend" and "backer" Cody Stanford. 
Chad then asks Berkey if we might ever see the return of the Only Friends Podcast before the crew wraps things up by examining WPT Global Ambassador Phil Ivey's top WSOP scores.
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
00:20 | Matt Berkey joins the show
01:00 | Patches at the WSOP
13:23 | Charlie Carrel banned from USA
16:42 | Poker returns to The Lodge in Texas
20:42 | Maurice Hawkins wins but adds to bankruptcy filing
29:35 | Will Only Friends Podcast ever come back?
36:08 | WPT Global Ambassador Phil Ivey WSOP scores