PokerNews Podcast

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

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

In the 963rd episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway, Mike Holtz, and Ben Ludlow are back to talk about the recent concerns and unanswered questions surrounding CoinPoker. The offshore site has come under fire for deceptive and unclear marketing, as well as concerns over player funds. Poker pro Manig Loeser recently spoke out about them, and there's been mounting pressure on social media from the likes of Pokerbots1 and Todd Witteles accounts. 
The crew also takes a look at the set-over-set cooler that benefited Alan Keating in a $1.2M pot, poker thriving in Texas with the WSOP Circuit at TCH, and the High Roller for One Drop at the EPT Monte Carlo. Speaking of big tournament series, PokerNews is on-site in the southern hemisphere at the recently relaunched Aussie Millions. Chad turned to his colleagues in the land down under for an update on all things Aussie Millions.
Finally, mark your calendar for the upcoming Mixed Game Festival XIV, which will kick off at the end of the month and continue into the summer.
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
01:00 | CoinPoker controversy
14:55 | Alan Keating $1.2M pot
18:10 | Texas poker thriving + TCH WSOPC
21:02 | PokerNews MyPlayers
21:50 | High Roller for One Drop
24:20 | MSPT Potawatomi
25:40 | Aussie Millions
29:30 | Highlights from Aussie Millions
30:35 | Mixed Game Festival XIV