What the Hell is Going on at the WPT? The Story of Phil Hellmuth & Player’s Bar
Release Date: 01/31/2025
WSOP Bracelet Winner Pleads Guilty of Attempted Murder, Hawkins the Debtor; Interview w/ 888poker’s Nick Eastwood
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In the 888th episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway, Mike Holtz, and Kyna England talk about a WSOP gold bracelet while out on bail, who recently pleaded guilty to intent to commit murder against his wife. It's a sad tale, but the victim is now openly sharing her tale of survival and the horrific aftermath. The crew then talks about Maurice Hawkins, who has yet to address the $100K+ judgment against him despite racking up wins and big paydays, and offers a behind-the-scenes look at the new poker room slated to open next month at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas. Other stories include the...
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Security Swarms as Player Goes Wild Inside Las Vegas Poker Room
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In the 887th episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway, Mike Holtz, and Kyna England discuss the fight that recently broke out inside the Aria Poker Room in Las Vegas. What could've caused "Tony" to fly off the handle like he did? The crew then debates all the discussion surrounding the 2025 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Industry Employee Event, recognizes the 14th anniversary of poker's infamous Black Friday, and Chad answers the question of whatever happened to two-time WPT and WSOP champ Hoyt Corkins (AKA the Alabama Cowboy)? Plus, Allen Kessler plays the piano, Chad shares highlights...
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Illegal Poker Games: Florida Man Accused of Laundering $800,000
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In the 886th episode of the PokerNews Podcast, hosts Chad Holloway, Mike Holtz, and Kyna England discuss the Florida man who was arrested for allegedly laundering $800K from illegal poker games. That led to a larger discussion on policy over such games and whether law enforcement is doing justice by cracking down. They then share results from Doug Polk's $100K 'Code Doug' Challenge, including a big hand he played against Eric Persson; highlight recent tournament winners such as Shannon Shorr, Francis Anderson, and Missy Bartleme; Jesse Lonis crushing the recently-completed PGT PLO Series;...
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What’s the Biggest Pot in the History of High Stakes Poker? Hellmuth Loses Out on $80 Million
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In the 885th episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway, Mike Holtz, and Kyna England discuss the biggest pot in High Stakes Poker history, a $1.4 million monster won by Alan Keating. That led to a bigger discussion on the state of televised poker and the game's modern vs. old-school characters. The crew also discusses the report that Phil Hellmuth apparently missing out on an $80 million payday after declining to invest $15,000 into a company, the status of Doug Polk's "Code Doug" challenge, and recent tournament winners including Daniel Negreanu and Chino Rheem. Oh, they also took a...
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Find Out Why This Poker Player Will Be Spending the Next 6 Years in Prison; Plus an Interview w/ Phil Galfond
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In the 884th episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway, Mike Holtz, and Connor Richards discuss former poker player Salman Behbehani getting a six-year prison sentence for smuggling a shit ton of drugs into Ibiza. Connor and Mike then try to get on the same page in a new word association game we're dubbing 'Collusion Mind Meld' before Chad goes one-on-one with the legendary Phil Galfond to talk about his , the Poker Hall of Fame, and more. The crew then shares an update on Peter Eastgate's gold bracelet from the 2008 WSOP Main Event, which he sold long ago for $150,000; give you an...
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Mike Catches Player Ghosting & Calls Out Las Vegas Poker Cheating Ring
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In the 883rd episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway, Kyna England, and Mike Holtz discuss Mike's calling out his recent experience in a big tournament at Resorts World, one that involved bad dealers and an alleged poker cheating ring in Las Vegas. The video blew up with Patrick Leonard and others speaking up. Find out where things stand with an update straight from Mike. Chad also goes one-on-one for an exclusive interview with Phil Gordon, who gave his first poker interview in 12 years! The former "Poker Boom" star who won the 2004 WPT Bay 101 Shooting Star and hosted Celebrity...
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Nik Airball is Back and Coming for HCL’s Million Dollar Cash Game
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In the 882nd episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway, Kyna England, and Connor Richards discuss the return of Nik Airball to Hustler Casino Live (HCL) after a yearlong casino ban. They also dive into other HCL news such as the announcement of the next Million Dollar Cash Game, GGPoker buying out Nick Vertucci's shares, and Ryan Feldman celebrating his 40th birthday. Speaking of the big 4-0, Chad and Connor also surprise Kyna with decorations and cake for her 40th birthday! The triumvirate then highlight Ari Engel retaking the lead from Maurice Hawkins in the World Series of Poker...
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Third Place Finisher in WSOP Circuit Main Event Eliminated w/ Best Hand; Was a Poker Player Actually Kidnapped?
PokerNews Podcast
In the 881st episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway, Kyna England, and Mike Holtz discuss the controversy out of the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Circuit stop in which the third-place finisher actually held the best hand against Maurice Hawkins, who went on to win the tournament for a record-tying 18th gold ring. The crew also dive into the wild tale of Michigan poker player George Jannsen, who last year claimed to have been kidnapped and extorted by the cartel. But now, the FBI is telling a different story, one involving fraud and millions of dollars. Find out what the four-time...
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Flipped Tables, Angle Shot & Player Banned in Texas, and the Global Poker Awards
PokerNews Podcast
In the 880th episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway, Kyna England, and Mike Holtz talk about the guy who flipped over three poker tables at the WSOP Circuit Harrah's Cherokee Main Event. See the video and find out what tournament staff did to rectify the situation. The crew then discusses Ebony Kenney getting slammed by poker fans over a recently resurfaced picture of her playing online with GTO Wizard open, and ACR's response to the most recent RTA controversy. Other topics include a potential angle shoot on The Lodge Live Stream, Ali Imsirovic being DQ'ed from a Texas tournament and...
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Pick’em: Predicting the Winners & Losers at the Global Poker Awards
PokerNews Podcast
In the 879th episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway, Kyna England, and Mike Holtz preview this weekend's 6th Annual Global Poker Awards, which will take place at PokerGO Studio in Las Vegas. All three will attend as this very show has been nominated for Podcast of the Year. The trio offer their thoughts and picks on who they think might win in each category. Will Boris Anzhelov win Breakout Player of the Year or might it be Mark Travis Egbert, Rania Nasreddine, or Noel Rodriguez? Will either Barny Boatman, Daniel Negreanu, Stephen Song, or Scott Stewart take the trophy for Best Final...
info_outlineIn the 876th episode of the PokerNews Podcast, which has been nominated for 'Podcast of the Year' at the Global Poker Awards, Chad Holloway, Kyna England, and Mike Holtz discuss what's been happening over at the World Poker Tour (WPT), from them laying off their entire eight-person digital team to the sassy WPT Global Twitter/X account.
They then discuss the implications of using comps to pay for a date, WPT champ Scott Stewart claiming two WSOPC rings in short order, and Faraz Jaka shipping an MSPT title. Speaking of the MSPT, which recently surpassed the $200 million mark in awarded prize money, Chad and Kyna are headed to Milwaukee's Potawatomi Casino this weekend to play in the stop's $1,110 Main Event.
The crew also recap the PGT Kickoff Series, which included wins from Kristen Foxen, Masato Yokosawa, and Patrik Leonard, and offer up an opportunity to listeners and fans to win a copy of luxurious The Las Vegas Book, which is valued at $495!
Finally, Chad heads down to the famed Wisconsin poker bar, Player's Bar, where Phil Hellmuth used to play. Mark "P0ker H0" Kroon, who not only owns the bar but was an O.G. online player from back in the day, shares some stories about the bar including how they learned Hellmuth won the 1989 WSOP, players who've played poker in the bar, and much more.
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Time Stamps
*Time | Topic*
00:11 | Welcome Kyna England & Mike Holtz
00:24 | What’s going on at the WPT?
00:33 | Eight-person digital team let go at WPT
04:40 | An award-winning team
08:10 | WPT Global X account on fire
12:40 | Is using comps paying for the date?
15:36 | Kyna’s bad date stories
17:45 | Sponsor: WSOP Free-to-Play App
18:24 | WPT champ Scott Stewart claims two WSOPC rings in short order
21:25 | Faraz Jaka wins MSPT Bally’s Black Hawk; his student wins side event
24:00 | MSPT hits $200M mark; Gerald Cunniff enters MSPT Hall of Fame
24:32 | Chad & Kyna headed to MSPT Potawatomi in Milwaukee
28:34 | Mark “P0ker H0” Kroon’s poker famous Player’s Bar
38:27 | Winners from the PGT Kickoff Series – Kristen Foxen, Patrik Leonard & more
41:30 | PokerNews Giveaway – The Las Vegas Book