PokerNews Podcast

In the 955th episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway is joined by Mike Holtz and Ben Ludlow for a special episode devoted to the latest update in The Lodge saga.
The popular poker room near Austin, Texas, was raided back on March 10, and authorities had a 30-day window, until April 9, to file for civil asset forfeiture. Despite not yet filing any criminal charges, authorities did file a document with the 480th Judicial District Court in Williamson County that explained why the state is holding on to over $2 million in assets.
The future of The Lodge Card Club is uncertain now that the state can hold onto the money. But Thursday's outcome doesn't mean this is the end for the major poker club, nor does it ensure criminal charges will never be filed. The nine-page court document indicates the state is no longer pursuing money laundering allegations against the Texas card room and instead is focusing on the alleged illegal gambling aspect.
What does this mean for the future of poker in Texas? There may be some clues in the court documents, which the crew explores in full.
A new PokerNews Podcast drops every day this week at approximately 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
00:42 | Authorities file before deadline
03:00 | Focus on illegal gambling; money laundering dropped
05:30 | The Texas poker model under fire?
12:00 | Raking tournaments?
15:30 | Isn't Texas supposed to be land of the free?
19:00 | Where did the money come from?
21:27 | Could a settlement be in store?
23:17 | What are economic benefits?

In the 954th episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway is at the 2026 World Series of Poker Europe (WSOPE) in Prague, where he is joined by special guest cohost Josh Arieh, the 2021 WSOP Player of the Year.
Together, they discuss the enraged player who was disqualified deep in the €5,300 PLO European Championship, players who were upset on the bubble of that tournament when a chip leader gave the short-stacked big blind a walk, and recent bracelet winners such as Ole Schemion, Mike Leah, and Pedro Faustino.
Arieh then talks about his deep run in the WSOP Europe Main Event, which ended in no small part due to his pocket aces getting cracked on the river. He also shares his thoughts on Prague, having the support of his wife, the Poker Hall of Fame, and playing golf with Daniel Negreanu.
Finally, Chad tells you a bit about PokerNews' MyPlayers feature and catches up with 2023 WSOP Player of the Year Ian Matakis, who made the trip from Minnesota over to Prague. Will he be going for POY again? 
A new PokerNews Podcast drops every day this week at approximately 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
00:46 | Player Gets DQ'ed From WSOPE
06:47 | PLO Bubble Controversy
09:47 | Arieh's Deep Main Event Run
20:32 | Recent Bracelet Winners
25:07 | Living In Las Vegas

In the 953rd episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway is at the 2026 World Series of Poker Europe (WSOPE) in Prague, where he is joined by special guest cohost Shaun Deeb, who talked about losing to quads twice when heads up for a gold bracelet.
He then talks about his passion for the Player of the Year race, responds to Nick Palma's poor sportsmanship comments, and shares his thoughts on the controversial Maurice Hawkins and the WSOP Circuit. Deeb also talks about whether or not he'd encourage his children to play poker, playing the National Heads-Up Poker Championship, coaching Hellmuth's sons, and why he thinks he'll ultimately surpass Phil Hellmuth atop the all-time bracelet list.
Finally, Deeb opens up about turning 40 and becoming eligible for the Poker Hall of Fame. Does he think he should get in? Deeb has never been one to shy away from sharing his thoughts, and that proved true in this in-depth interview from the 2026 WSOP Europe.
A new PokerNews Podcast drops every day this week at approximately 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 01:50 Losing to quads… twice! 05:31 Going for WSOP Player of the Year 06:08 How does Prague compare to Rozvadov? 07:40 Responding to Nick Palma's comments 09:57 Allen Kessler prop bet 11:44 Thoughts on Maurice Hawkins 16:13 Deeb for Poker Hall of Fame 19:30 Would you encourage your kids to play poker? 24:04 What was your go-to game as a kid? 27:16 Will you get more bracelets than Hellmuth? 28:41 National Heads-Up Poker Championship 29:30 Playing action Kevin Pollak

In the 952nd episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway is at the 2026 World Series of Poker Europe (WSOPE) in Prague where he is joined by special guest cohost Annette Obrestad, who is famously the youngest-ever gold bracelet winner and has made a long-awaited return to the felt after nearly a decade away from the game. 
The Norwegian pro, who stunned the poker world by winning the 2007 WSOP Europe Main Event at just 18, spoke candidly about her decision to step away, citing burnout and a desire to explore life beyond poker. Now back at WSOP Europe, Obrestad says she's rediscovered her competitive spark and is eager to test herself once again against elite fields. 
During her time away, she focused on a variety of creative pursuits and personal interests, including a YouTube makeup channel and competitive Scrabble, giving her a fresh perspective that she believes will benefit her game as she re-enters the spotlight.
A new PokerNews Podcast drops every day this week at approximately 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
01:14 | Annette Back at WSOPE
03:39 | Where Has Annette Been?
05:43 | Competitive Scrabble
08:03 | Makeup YouTuber
13:28 | 2007 World Series of Poker Europe

In the 951st episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway is at the 2026 World Series of Poker Europe (WSOPE) in Prague where he is joined by special guest cohost Nick "Nicky P" Palma, who is fresh off a big online Sunday where he took down two major tournaments. Plus, he's debuted a new vlog at the WSOPE, talks about his online bracelet win from last fall, and shares his candid thoughts on Shaun Deeb and Maurice Hawkins.
If you're not familiar with Nicky P, here's your chance to get a genuine look at the poker pro from the Bronx.
Plus, the duo recap the bracelet winners thus far, including Corel Theuma and Anca Eggenberger, talk about Shaun Deeb's two runner-up finishes after losing to quads in both, and the current 2026 WSOP Player of the Year standings. The man on top might not be who you expect.
Plus, Etay made a final table, the Main Event set a record, and Nicky P played a viral hand on stream after flopping a set of jacks. See the hand and hear from the man himself as to what he was thinking and why he ultimately decided to do what he did.
Time Stamps
*Time    Topic*
00:00 | Welcome to the show
00:13 | Nick Palma joins the show
01:20 | Corel Theuma claims the first bracelet
2:17 | Shaun Deeb loses heads-up twice
05:06 | Deeb for Poker Hall of Fame
08:15 | Current Player of the Year standings
08:50 | Other bracelet winners
10:19 | Etay makes Ladies Event final table
11:40 | Difference between old & new WSOPE 
13:00 | Main Event update
13:47 | Nick's bracelet win
17:51 | Nicky P's viral poker hand
21:23 | Nick's new poker vlog
24:00 | Thoughts on Maurice Hawkins
26:30 | What's coming up?