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WPT World Championship Winner Dan Sepiol Bags Big at Rolling Thunder

Sun, 24 Mar 2024 04:00:46 +0000

Day 1 of the $3,500 buy-in World Poker Tour (WPT) Rolling Thunder Championship is in the books. A total of 367 players came to play at the Thunder Valley Casino Resort in Lincoln, California on Saturday.

But only 171 bagged chips and will come back on Sunday at 11 a.m. local time for Day 2, one of whom is Dan Sepiol, three months removed from one of the biggest wins in poker history. The two ClubWPT qualifiers — Gail Levine and Craig Parsons — were both eliminated before the opening session, which lasted eight levels of 60 minutes, concluded.

Daniel Negreanu Wins Another Poker Tournament in 2024

Sun, 24 Mar 2024 02:00:36 +0000

At this point, it’s clear that the changes Daniel Negreanu vowed to make following a rough poker year are working. The Poker Hall of Famer shaved off another $147,500 on Saturday from his $2 million losses in 2023 with a victory in PokerGO Tour PLO Series Event #3: $5,100 Pot-Limit Omaha.

He beat out 118 entrants for his second high roller win of the year, including Anuj Agarwal ($91,450) heads up to finish off the tournament. The action took place inside the PokerGO Studio in Las Vegas where Negreanu has been tough to beat since early January.

ClubWPT Rolling Thunder Qualifier Gail Levine Wants Her Table to Believe She Can't Play

Sat, 23 Mar 2024 22:00:44 +0000

Not to steal a line from poker Hall of Famer Todd Brunson, but and we’re off … in the $3,500 buy-in World Poker Tour (WPT) Rolling Thunder event in Northern California.

Action kicked off at 11 a.m. local time in Lincoln, California at the Thunder Valley Casino Resort, one of the top poker rooms in the United States. When play began, 160 had already registered, and many others have since joined the party, but there’s a shot the annual event could surpass its previous record of 590 entrants, set last year.

This WPT Voyage Qualifier Wants Her Name on the Mike Sexton Champions Cup

Sat, 23 Mar 2024 21:00:35 +0000

With decades of poker experience, Illinois’ Monika Heppner is ready to take on the pros, and hopefully get a few photos with them, on the upcoming WPT Voyage after winning a package on ClubWPT.

From March 31 to April 6, 2024, the World Poker Tour (WPT) will take over an entire Virgin Voyages cruise ship for a six-day poker festival that features $1.5 million in guarantees, including a $5,000 buy-in and $1,000,000 guaranteed WPT Main Event.

Luske Among Notables Through to WSOPC UK Main Event Day 2

Sat, 23 Mar 2024 11:35:45 +0000

The WSOP International Circuit is back in the UK a year after Matthew Gray’s triumph and a fter four starting flights it’s time for Day 2 at Dusk till Dawn in Nottingham.

After four starting flights, including one online flight, 108 players have survived from a starting field of 462 — up from 439 just 12 months ago.

Leading the way is Carlo Solazzo with 664,000, narrowly ahead of former UKIPT Blackpool champion Tuan Le and Daniel Charlton, who finished 32nd in the 2019 WSOP Main Event.

888Poker Launches Exciting New Podcast: 888Ride Hits the Airwaves

Sat, 23 Mar 2024 10:35:43 +0000

888poker has taken its wildly successful YouTube series, 888Ride, to the airwaves with the launch of its brand-new podcast. This thrilling online venture promises to be a rollercoaster ride featuring top poker personalities and players, giving listeners an intimate glimpse into the lives of their favorite poker celebrities.

Podcasts have become one of the most popular mediums for poker players to indulge in their passions both on and off the poker table. The 888Ride podcast offers deep dives into the lives and careers of renowned figures in the poker world, shedding light on what makes them tick both on and off the felt.

Risking It All - Poker Vlogger Corey Eyring “In the F***ing Hole” in Quest for $1,000,000

Sat, 23 Mar 2024 00:35:53 +0000

Imagine putting your entire net worth on a single roulette spin. That’s exactly what rising vlogging star Corey Eyring plans to do at the end of 2024 with a half-a-million goal. Even if he doesn’t he plans to put whatever he has on the line come year’s end.

“The goal is to have $500,000 at the end of the year and however much I have at the end of the year on December 31st, I’m just gonna put it on red or black,” said Eyring, who is documenting the journey in his vlogs, which has built a strong audience thanks to its fun tone and wild antics.

$1.8 Million Bad Beat Jackpot Hits at Canada's Playground Poker Club

Sat, 23 Mar 2024 00:00:49 +0000

Poker players at Canada’s Playground Poker Club got an unexpected surprise in the form of seven figures on Friday as the club’s bad beat jackpot hit for nearly CAD $2 million.

The bad beat jackpot at Playground Poker had climbed to CAD $1,817,990 (approximately $1.3 million USD) before a straight flush versus quads collision that the club documented and shared across social media.

Seven Figures for Lucky Canadian Poker Players

Details have yet to come about the bad beat jackpot, including the game stakes, payouts for both players and table share.

PokerFaceArt: When Poker, Life, and Art Collide

Fri, 22 Mar 2024 17:35:52 +0000

Stanley Grandon is a former leading ophthalmologist (eye doctor) who spent 45 years helping others. These days, Grandon spends his days on the golf course, playing poker and following his passion for painting. Two of Grandon’s favorite pastimes have combined, resulting in him creating unique paintings that put the viewer in the thick of the action at the poker table.

Grandon stepped away from the hustle-bustle of the medical world during the COVID-19 pandemic, freeing up time to follow his passion for painting. Describing himself to PokerNews as “78 years young” and with a mind that is still sharp, Grandon’s surgery skills transformed his patients’ lives over his four-and-a-half decades in ophthalmology, improving or even restoring their sight. Now, having more than served his dues, Grandon is giving a fresh, unique insight into the fascinating poker world via his PokerFaceArt.com website.

The EAPT Takes a €200,000 Gtd Main Event to Malta This April

Fri, 22 Mar 2024 12:35:59 +0000

The Casino Portomaso is the location for the next stop on the popular EAPT, with the tour calling it home from April 5-10. The 2024 EAPT Malta festival features five action-packed tournaments, including the €200,000 guaranteed Main Event, which the PokerNews Live Reporting team is bringing you all of the action from.

EAPT Malta’s Main Event features six Day 1s, including a pair of turbo-structures flights, each costing €560 to enter. Each EAPT Malta Main Event Day 1 plays until only 15% of the field remains, with those surviving players progressing to Day 2 with a min-cash locked up. Levels on Day 1 last 40-minutes, with the turbo-structured Day 1s featuring 20-minute levels.

WPT Voyage: Do You Know Who Sailed Away with the Biggest Poker Prize at Sea?

Fri, 22 Mar 2024 11:35:59 +0000

The excitement is ramping up for one of the most unique events of the year as time draws closer to the start of the highly anticipated WPT Voyage.

From March 31 to April 6, 2024, the World Poker Tour will take over an entire Virgin Voyages cruise ship—the 1,400-cabin Valiant Lady—for a six-day poker festival that features $1.5 million in guarantees, including a $5,000 buy-in and $1,000,000 GTD WPT Main Event.

WPT Prime Amsterdam Awards Its Champion €208,095 Today

Fri, 22 Mar 2024 11:35:44 +0000

The 2024 edition of the WPT Prime Amsterdam Main Event has reached its final day’s play, with only nine of the 1,340 players who started the €1,100 buy-in event with high hopes of becoming a World Poker Tour champion still in the hunt for the title. The bulk of the €1,289,400 prize pool will be awarded on March 22, with €208,095 reserved for the eventual champion.

The 1,340 buy-ins was a massive increase on last year’s WPT Prime Amsterdam Main Event, when exactly 1,000 players bought in. Last year, PhilipPhilip Hollederer Hollederer came out on top and padded his bankroll with €161,552 plus a $10,400 seat to the season-endedWPT World Championship at Wynn Las Vegas. Hollederer put up a valiant fight during his title defence, reaching the latter stages of Day 2 before busting in 45th place.

Hear From the Lawmaker Who Wants to Grow Online Poker in Pennsylvania

Fri, 22 Mar 2024 01:00:46 +0000

Shared liquidity in online poker may be coming to Pennsylvania thanks to a state lawmaker’s efforts to “nudge” Governor Josh Shapiro into entering the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA).

While there is technically nothing stopping Pennsylvania from entering the multi-state compact with Nevada,New Jersey, Delaware, Michigan and West Virginia, House Bill 2078, introduced by State Rep. George Dunbar, would initiate the process through the legislative body rather than relying on action from the governor.

Can You Catch MMDpoker1 in the $300K Mystery Bounty Festival Main Event at 888poker?

Thu, 21 Mar 2024 15:00:47 +0000

The 888poker Mystery Bounty Festival is crowning champions left, right, and center, but there is one tournament where we won’t know who the winner is until March 26: the Mystery Bounty Festival Main Event.

The 888poker Mystery Bounty Festival Main Event, costing £215 to enter and guaranteeing at least $300,000 will be won, is by far the largest tournament on the busy schedule. Approximately one dozen Day 1s take place before Day 2 on March 25, which seems like plenty of time to build a stack that challenges for the lead, but that final Day 1 will be on you quicker than you realize.

Plug Pulled 500 Hours Into Poker Bankroll Challenge: We Just Take the L

Thu, 21 Mar 2024 01:35:45 +0000

It’s game over for Kevin Martin and his livestreamed poker bankroll challenge after 500 hours and just $500 of poker profit.

The GGPoker ambassador took on one of the wildest bankroll challenges in poker history. Dubbed “Poker from Zero,” he set out to turn $0 into $5,000 and he livestreamed his entire life until he reached the goal or hit 500 hours. His first step was to pawn off a few items so that he could have a few hundred bucks in his online poker account. From there, the rest of the money came from micro stakes poker earnings.

Gastao Silva Turns €100 into €16,000 and a €1,500 Package on the Irish Poker Tour

Wed, 20 Mar 2024 18:00:58 +0000

A few eyebrows were raised when the Irish Poker Tour decided to run a €100,000 guaranteed poker tournament that only cost €100 (€80+€20) to enter, and do so over the St. Patrick’s weekend celebrations. The tournament needed 1,250 entrants to hit the ambitious guarantee; had founder Fintan Gavin lost the plot?

It seems that Gavin knows his clientele because 1,771 poker enthusiasts turned out in force for the €100K for €100 event at Dublin’s Green Isle Hotel, creating a €136,722 prize pool, over a third more than the advertised guarantee. Bravo.

First Two Ring Winners Crowned at the 2024 WSOP Circuit UK

Wed, 20 Mar 2024 16:01:02 +0000

The first two of 11 World Series of Poker Circuit rings have been awarded at the 2024 WSOP Circuit UK at Dusk Till Dawn in Nottingham. Peggy Crawford took down the £230 Ladies Event, with Andrew Maskell crowned the £340 Colossus champion.

The festival concludes on March 24, and there are another nine gold rings waiting to be won, making for a busy few days at the home of British poker, Dusk Till Dawn.

Maria Ho Beats Influencers & NFL Star in Celebrity Poker Tour Game Night I

Wed, 20 Mar 2024 01:35:56 +0000

The latest Celebrity Poker Tour (CPT) event took place inside the PokerGO Studio in Las Vegas over the weekend, and a third consecutive woman champion was crowned. Maria Ho defeated the single-table field of TikTok stars and poker vloggers to win $10,000 and the golden CPT belt.

The poker commentator and Women in Poker Hall of Famer was a favorite to win the sit-and-go-style CPT Game Night I, and she delivered as she battled vloggers Brad Owen, Alexander “Wolfgang” Seibt and Ethan “Rampage” Yau, NFL running back Austin Ekeler and influencers Bryce Hall, Trent “BookitWithTrent” Attyah and Tommy Unold, who was an alternate but managed to finish runner-up for $5,000.

LODDENThinks Gets the 888poker Mystery Bounty Festival Off to the Best Possible Start

Tue, 19 Mar 2024 14:35:53 +0000

The 888poker Mystery Bounty Festival kicked off over the weekend, and every 888poker dreamed of getting the series off to a flying start. United Kingdom-based “LODDENThinks” did precisely that, taking down the $120,000 Mystery Bounty Opening event for $9,620, boosting their bankroll, and giving their confidence a shot in the arm.

On Day 1, the 1,171-strong crowd was whittled to the final table of eight. Among the casualties were “thegreatdonk” and “Steed4321,” who crashed out in 123rd and 46th place, respectively, but not before pulling a mystery bunty worth $3,600!

Guilherme GZingano Zingano Wins Biggest PokerStars Sunday Million Season Prize So Far

Tue, 19 Mar 2024 13:35:45 +0000

The PokerStars Sunday Million Season completed its second week on March 18, and Brazilian Guilherme “GZingano” Zingano will look back on Week 2 with fond memories. While the online poker community was buzzing with excitement after the 2024 Spring Championship Of Online Poker (SCOOP) announcement, Zingano was one of 95 PokerStars players returning for Day 2 of the $1 million guaranteed Sunday Million PKO.

The $109 buy-in event drew 10,646 entrants, creating a guarantee-busting $1,046,000 prize pool. Zingano collected $83,490 of that princely sum, the largest haul from any of the completed PokerStars Sunday Million Season so far.

Irish Open 2024: Fintan and Spraggy Need You for Team Ireland vs Team England Challenges

Tue, 19 Mar 2024 12:35:45 +0000

The Irish Open is renowned for its vibrant atmosphere and this year promises even more excitement as PokerStars Team Pros Fintan Hand and Benjamin Spragg go head-to-head in a series of challenges as part of Team Ireland vs Team England. Set against the backdrop of the Royal Dublin Society, from March 25 to April 1, this festival is shaping up to be an unforgettable experience.

The festivities kick off with a variety of challenges in the Irish Open Entertainment Lounge, where players can witness Fintan and Spraggy battle it out in activities ranging from flip-cup, darts, and beer pong tournaments to scavenger hunts and jockey races. Open to all players, these challenges guarantee heaps of fun and entertainment.

Robert Rohlich Defeats 1,526-Entry Field for Eureka Rozvadov Main Event Glory

Tue, 19 Mar 2024 10:35:48 +0000

Robert Rohlich clinched victory in the highly contested 2024 Eureka Rozvadov €1,100 Main Event, besting a field of 1,526 contenders at King’s Resort. His commanding performance on the final table earned him the title and a substantial first-place prize of €243,500, marking the largest payout in Eureka Poker Tour Rozvadov history.

Rohlich joins the ranks of esteemed Czech champions, following in the footsteps of Petr Svoboda, who secured victory in the Eureka Rozvadov 2017 edition. Rohlich navigated through the final table effortlessly, wrapping up the final table in less than three and a half hours to etch his name into poker history and seize the lion’s share of the €1,526,000 prize pool.

Grosvenor Poker Ambassador Ludovic Geilich is Loving Life on the GUKPT

Tue, 19 Mar 2024 09:36:02 +0000

At the beginning of the year, Ludovic Geilich was unveiled as the latest ambassador to join Grosvenor Poker and the popular Scottish grinder has kicked off the new partnership in fine fashion after taking down the £1,100 GUKPT Blackpool Main Event over the weekend for £56,150.

The triumph marks Geilich’s second major title on the tour and also follows his recent High Roller victory at 888poker LIVE Coventry, all coming within the last ten months.

Phil Laak Busts Out the Bricks of Cash on High Stakes Poker Episode 5

Tue, 19 Mar 2024 01:35:48 +0000

High Stakes PokerSeason 12 has been action-packed through the first four shows. But it really picked up in Episode 5, which aired Monday night on PokerGO.

The table remained the same from Episode 4, with Andrew Robl having everyone easily covered and nearly $1 million in front of him. Vivian Yang, Nikhil “Nik Airball” Arcot, Phil Laak, Santhosh Suvarna, Jean-Robert Bellande, and Chino Rheem rounded out the table at the start of the show.

Can Doug Polk Get Unstuck Lifetime on Poker Livestreams in Epic Sunday Session?

Mon, 18 Mar 2024 19:01:00 +0000

Last week, Doug Polk revealed that he’s been a losing player lifetime in livestreamed ring games by around $400,000. On Sunday, the Upswing Poker founder won big in a marathon session at The Lodge Card Club. But was it big enough to get unstuck?

Not only did Polk book a sizable profit, Nikhil “Nik Airball” Arcot redeemed himself after a 20-minute tank on The Lodge stream Saturday night by winning over $380,000 the following day. “Taras,” who rarely misses a big game stream at the Texas poker room, was the biggest winner of the night, ending the session up $387,800, thanks in large part to a $607,000 pot he won against “Tesla,” another popular player on the show.

Adrian Lopez Bests Two POYs to Win Wynn Millions Mystery Bounty ($190,950)

Mon, 18 Mar 2024 15:35:45 +0000

After more than 14 hours of exciting bounty action, San Diego’s Adrian Lopez won the $1,600 Mystery Bounty at the 2024 Wynn Millions Festival for a career-best $190,950 and the golden Wynn trophy. Lopez, a business owner and longtime recreational grinder, won more than four times his previous career earnings as he triumphed in a back-and-forth heads-up battle with runner-up Chad Wassmuth.

“It’s my biggest win yet so far, so it feels pretty good," Lopez told PokerNews in a winner’s interview. “I have a full-time job, I’m a business owner, so whenever I get the chance I try to come out here and play a couple events. It feels good to win it.”

Are You Ready to Drop Everything This May? The 2024 PokerStars SCOOP Kicks Off May 5

Mon, 18 Mar 2024 14:36:33 +0000

It is almost that time of year again when online poker tournament grinders flock to PokerStars in an attempt to boost their bankrolls with massive prizes. We are, of course, talking about the Spring Championship Of Online Poker (SCOOP). Although PokerStars is still finalizing the 2024 SCOOP schedule, PokerNews has learned that the latest edition of SCOOP runs for 25 days betweenMay 5-29, so keep those dates free in your diary.

Ivey Denied Sixth Triton Poker Title as Ding Wins $50k PLO

Mon, 18 Mar 2024 14:36:00 +0000

For now, Phil Ivey’s stuck with five. A handful of Triton Poker titles — good enough for second all-time, tied with Danny Tang.

But he could have been one step closer to chasing down runaway leader Jason Koon’s 10 Triton titles if things had gone his way in Event #15: $50k Pot Limit Omaha in Jeju.

A runner-up finish saw the Poker Hall of Famer just fall short against Biao Ding, but Ivey still adds a fourth Triton cash of the stop — his tenth since the start of 2023.

Poker Pro's Daughter Athena Jett's 'American Idol' Audition Goes Viral

Mon, 18 Mar 2024 05:01:02 +0000

St. Patrick’s Day was a lucky and special one for poker couple Karina Jett and Chip Jett, who watched their 20-year-old daughter, Athena Jett, dazzle in her American Idol audition.

The Las Vegas modern jazz singer put on quite a performance in her first appearance on the musical TV competition show, which is in its 22nd season, thanks in part to an assist from her younger sister, Angelina. A group of friends and family all showed up to Roma Restaurant & Deli, a popular Italian restaurant owned by Poker Hall of Famer Todd Brunson, to support the aspiring musician.

Nik Airball Tanks for 20 Minutes in a Brutal Spot on the Lodge Poker Stream

Sun, 17 Mar 2024 03:00:51 +0000

Nikhil “Nik Airball” Arcot ran into some coolers during Saturday’s high-stakes live-stream at The Lodge Card Club near Austin, Texas. One of those hands, a pot of over $350,000, put him in the tank for more than 20 minutes.

The Lodge, hosting the first of two big game streams this weekend, provided viewers with some intense action during the first session. Airball came out firing and was up around $40,000 four hands into the game. Before long, he was down $120,000, which led him to add on another $500,000 to his stack.

Czech Mate: Roman Hrabec Wins Biggest Ever $100K Tournament at Triton Poker Jeju ($4.33M)

Sat, 16 Mar 2024 15:00:42 +0000

Triton Poker Jeju has been a glittering display of poker’s top talents, and fans have been treated to some extraordinary card playing over the last 11 days in South Korea.

The Super High Roller series has been a shining example of the fortitude, strength, and bravery required to reach the top of the game. One player who has shown those traits in spades is breakout star Roman Hrabec, who has just taken down the biggest ever $100K buy-in tournament that poker has ever seen.

PokerNews to Report 2024 Australian Poker Open; Festival Comes With A$2 Million GTD

Thu, 14 Mar 2024 22:35:52 +0000

Get ready for the 2024 Australian Poker Open!

It’s right around the corner, taking place from March 26 until April 7 at Doltone House in Sydney, Australia with A$2 million in guarantees by far one of the biggest series in recent Australian poker history.

PokerNews is set to cover three incredible events: the A$3,300 Australian Poker Open, the A$1,500 Platinum Player Championships and the A$10,000 Trojan.

Headline Events

The three headline events are as follows with combined guarantees of A$1,650,000. PokerNews is set to report the Australian Poker Open Main Event, starting with the last two flights on March 28 and 29 before the field combines for Day 2 on Saturday, March 30.

Ante Up for Adventure: Top 5 Reasons to Experience 888poker LIVE Events

Thu, 14 Mar 2024 17:35:51 +0000

There’s plenty to look forward to across the calendar year when it comes to 888poker. Not only has a full season of 888poker LIVE events already scheduled, but the brand also launched a UK Poker League, which has been a success so far.

And with the countdown underway for their festival in Bucharest (March 16-24), we thought we’d ask the 888poker ambassadors why poker players of all kinds should consider an 888 stop for their next poker adventure. From the bustling poker tables to the exploration of enchanting cities, the 888poker LIVE tour offers a multifaceted appeal that goes beyond the cards.

The APAT Open Championship Heads to Manchester235 on March 22

Thu, 14 Mar 2024 16:36:00 +0000

The next leg of the 2024 Amateur Poker Association & Tour (APAT) is almost upon us, with the long-running recreational player-focused tour heading to Manchester235 over the weekend of March 22-24 for the Open Championship.

The APAT Manchester Open Championship is a £120 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em tournament open to APAT members and anyone who fancies flicking in £120 to get in on the action. You must be a member of Manchester235 casino to play in the Open Championship, and a government-issued photographic ID is required to join.

Owner Agrees to Plea Bargain in 2022 Texas Poker Room Raid Case

Thu, 14 Mar 2024 15:35:52 +0000

Seventeen months after authorities raided the Watauga Social Lounge Poker Club during a $100,000 guaranteed tournament, the card room’s owner, Joe Vongkaysone, has reached a plea deal and will avoid jail time. But he’s out a significant amount of money from the legal fight.

Vongkaysone, who issued a statement to PokerNews following the plea deal, was charged in October 2022 with one count of engaging in organized crime and a separate count for gambling promotion. Multiple players at the Dallas, Texas area poker club were fined, and numerous staff members were arrested.

Elton Tsang Evolves from Tournament Fish to Triton Champion; Tom Dwan Reels in $400K Score

Thu, 14 Mar 2024 14:00:41 +0000

Triton Poker Jeju is in the tail end of its No Limit Hold’em Events, with only the $100K Main Event left to play out.

There have been several high-profile winners across the festival, with plenty of seven-figure scores handed out but those paydays pale in comparison to the figurative treasure chest Elton Tsang just unearthed in South Korea.

After 71 bites of the cherry, the Hong Kong cash game specialist finally bagged his maiden Triton title after reigning supreme in the biggest event of the series, Event #9 – $150K NLH 8-Handed for $4,210,000.

Wynn Millions Championship Wraps Up with Unlikely Winner

Thu, 14 Mar 2024 11:00:41 +0000

The 2024 $3,500 Wynn Millions Championship has come to an end and Neel Murthy is the winner after he defeated Chris Frank in heads-up play.

The tournament drew a total of 1,180 entries across three opening flights, with 236 of them turning out for Day 1a. Day 1b drew 403 entries and a bumper crop of 541 turned out for the final flight to send the tournament well over it’s $3,000,000 guarantee. In the end, the top 151 players divided up a prize pool of $3,746,500 and Murthy claimed the lion’s share of $502,856 after a heads-up deal with Frank.

EPT Paris Champion Barny Boatman Unveiled as Latest PokerStars Team Pro

Thu, 14 Mar 2024 10:35:44 +0000

In a shock announcement, PokerStars have announced 2024 EPT Paris champion Barny Boatman as the latest member of Team Pro.

Less than three weeks after winning €1.2m in the French capital, the British poker legend was unveiled by James Hartigan and Joe Stapleton at a special live recording of Poker in the Ears at the Hippodrome Casino, London to mark the show’s 300th episode.

“We are delighted to welcome Barny Boatman to the PokerStars family,” said Kevin Harrington, CEO at PokerStars. “Barny’s reputation as one of the most respected and accomplished players in the industry precedes him, and we are confident that his insights and contributions will be invaluable as we continue to innovate and evolve as a platform.”

Soheb Porbandarwala Wins 12th Circuit Ring in WSOP Hammond Main Event

Thu, 14 Mar 2024 00:01:01 +0000

Connecticut’s Soheb Porbandarwala won his twelfth World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOPC) Ring this week as he took down the $1,700 buy-in WSOPC Hammon Main Event for $257,725.

The WSOP Hammond stop in the Chicago area ran Feb. 29-March 11 and consisted of more than a dozen Ring events that generated $4.1 million in prize pools, including a $400 opening event with five starting flights and a $2,200 High Roller to help close things out.

Old School Mike Matusow Backs Up His Mouth, Crushes Hustler Casino Live Games

Wed, 13 Mar 2024 19:35:52 +0000

On Monday, Mike Matusow promised the “old school” version of “The Mouth” would appear on Hustler Casino Live. Two sessions of play later and he proved he wasn’t all talk.

The four-time World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet winner first played on “Max Pain Monday,” a popular gimmicky weekly show that features a lower stakes game than the rest of the week. During that five-hour session, the poker legend backed up his mouth by winning over $11,000. Well, sort of. He did proclaim “I’m coming after you” to the show’s co-owner Nick Vertucci, who instead came after the rest of the table to the tune of a $21,000 profit.

Kevin Martin Has Now Streamed for Over 330 Straight Hours; Find Out How He's Doing

Wed, 13 Mar 2024 14:35:45 +0000

There’s good news and bad news for Kevin Martin on his 24/7 live-streaming bankroll challenge. The good news is he’s reached 100,000 YouTube subscribers. But the bad news is he’s only about 20% of the way to his $5,000 online poker goal after 13 days.

Martin, a reality TV star who appeared on Poker After Dark: Game of Gold and twice on Big Brother Canada, is attempting to go from $0 to $5,000 playing poker online, and he’s live-streaming every last minute of his daily routine, making this one of the more unique bankroll challenges ever.

Just Getting Started In Poker: Florida Poker Player Ryan Estrada Passes Away

Wed, 13 Mar 2024 02:35:49 +0000

The poker community recently received sad news that Florida poker player and World Series of Poker (WSOP) Circuit Ring winner Ryan Estrada passed away unexpectedly in a motorcycle accident.

Estrada was a grinder from Sunrise, FL who was active in the Florida poker community and earned $316,969 in live earnings since his first cash in February 2021 according to the Hendon Mob.

Fellow Florida poker player Matthew Sonzogi shared news of Estrada’s death on X, writing that he was “absolutely sick to my stomach” and calling Estrada “one of the nicest kids I met in Florida.”

Alex Livingston Closes Out PGT Mixed Games Series; Four Final Tables For Negreanu

Wed, 13 Mar 2024 01:35:45 +0000

The latest PokerGO Tour (PGT) series wrapped up this week with the completion of PGT Mixed Games 2024, a series that ran Feb. 28-March 8 and consisted of various mixed game events with buy-ins ranging from $5,100 to $25,300.

While he didn’t take home any trophies, the true dominator of the high-stakes mixed game series was Daniel Negreanu, who made four final tables including a runner-up finish in the $10,200 Dealer’s Choice event for $103,400 (which PokerNews recapped here) and a third-place finish in the $10,200 Big Bet Mix event for $55,000.

WPT Main Tour Heading to Macau for the First Time Ever June 20-24

Tue, 12 Mar 2024 22:35:45 +0000

The World Poker Tour (WPT) is truly becoming a world poker tour. For the first time in the WPT Main Tour’s 22-year history, an event will take place in Macau, China this coming summer.

Macau, considered the Las Vegas of Asia, is a gambling and poker hotbed and has played host for years to some of the biggest cash games in the world. Legendary pros such as Phil Ivey, a WPT ambassador, have called Macau home over the years.

Triton Poker: Ivey's Aces Cracked on Final Table; Punsri Runs Hot for $2M Payout

Tue, 12 Mar 2024 20:01:03 +0000

There have been a plethora of seven-figure payouts at Triton Poker’s jaunt in Jeju for its super high roller series, and the biggest prize of the festival so far was just dished out.

A cool $2,010,000 awaited the winner in Event #8: $50K NLH 7-Handed and the poker wizard to claim the champion’s spoils was Punnat Punsri. Thailand’s All-Time Money List leader romped to the finish line in dominating fashion and overcame a red-hot Sergio Aido in heads-up play.

Boom Fantasy Review — Play On the Daily Fantasy Sports App

Tue, 12 Mar 2024 17:36:12 +0000

Boom Fantasy is one of the top apps for playing daily fantasy sports in the US, and this PokerNews review will give you everything you need to get started.

From promotions to the dozens of states where the app is offered, here is everything you need to know about Boom Fantasy.

What Is Boom Fantasy?

The Boom Fantasy app is a daily fantasy sports app offering the widely popular Pick ‘Em style format. There are plenty of professional sports leagues to choose from when making picks, including the NBA, NHL, MLS and Champions League, as well as the NCAA Division I men’s basketball all this March.

2024 GUKPT Heads to the Seaside Town of Blackpool

Tue, 12 Mar 2024 17:36:01 +0000

The Grosvenor UK Poker Tour (GUKPT) launched in 2007 and is still going strong today. Now in its 18th season, the popular tour has visited dozens of cities across the United Kingdom, with the seaside town of Blackpool ever-present throughout its existence.

Blackpool is famous for its pleasure beach, “The Big One” rollercoaster, and being a haven for stag dos and hen parties. But for a week each year – twice per year since 2023 – Blackpool attracts poker players from far and wide because the GUKPT is in town.

Baseball Legend Greg Maddux Will Host Baller Dream Celebrity Poker Tournament at Circa Las Vegas

Tue, 12 Mar 2024 16:35:56 +0000

The second annual Baller Dream Celebrity Poker Tournament, a charity event hosted by former Major League Baseball (MLB) star Greg Maddux, takes place April 27-28 at Circa Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.

Maddux, winner of four straight Cy Young awards from 1992-1995, hosted the event last year, along with his daughter, Paige Maddux. All proceeds from the poker tournament, auction, and other festivities will go to the Baller Dream Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to providing emotional and financial support to children and young adults battling cancer.

Streaming Dreams: Nick Eastwood's Path to 888poker Stardom and How You Can Follow Suit

Tue, 12 Mar 2024 14:35:56 +0000

Happy memories came flooding back for Nick “eastyyy22” Eastwood when he saw 888poker had launched its Stream On contest, with the online poker giant searching for a new member of the 888poker Stream Team. Eastwood joined the 888poker Stream Team in July 2021, and he cannot wait to be one of the first to welcome in the newest addition team.

Eastwood had been streaming for around six months before 888poker approached him and asked him if he would be interested in becoming part of the new Stream Team 888poker was putting together. It had always been Eastwood’s dream to get his hands on a poker sponsorship, and after positive talks with the Stream team manager, Eastwood put pen to paper on a sponsorship contract.

Sweden's gurra0 Grabs First PokerStars Sunday Million Season Title

Tue, 12 Mar 2024 12:35:45 +0000

The 18th anniversary edition of the PokerStars Sunday Million is only weeks away, and PokerStars is getting into the party mood with its Sunday Million Season. The first three episodes took place over the weekend, including a $1 million guaranteed progressive knockout.

The $109 Sunday Million PKO attracted 10,793 entrants, resulting in a $1,079,300 prize pool. Several Team PokerStars members were in the crowd, but none of them navigated their way into the top 1,711 places where the regular prize pool was dished out. Parker “tonkaaaa” Talbot came the closest to cashing, busting in 1,841th place, having banked a $68.75 bounty payment.

Andrew Robl Pretty Much Wins Every Pot on Latest High Stakes Poker Episode

Tue, 12 Mar 2024 01:35:59 +0000

It’s good to be Andrew Robl, a statement proven true again on Monday’s High Stakes Poker episode, the fourth of Season 12, which aired on PokerGO.

The high roller who is one of the most skilled cash game players in history did what he so often does on televised poker shows — run hot, much like he did last week during Episode 3. As for the rest of the table, which remained the same minus the subtraction of Jean-Robert Bellande and the addition of Chino Rheem, they didn’t stand much of a chance against the aggressive Robl, who simply would not lose against an all in bet.

Triton Poker: Euros Continue to Dominate in Jeju

Mon, 11 Mar 2024 19:35:57 +0000

Triton Poker continued to captivate poker fans over the weekend as its 2024 Jeju Super High Roller Series in South Korea crowned four more champions.

Lithuania’s Paulius Vaitiekunas bagged his maiden Triton title and biggest live score while Adrian Mateos’ legacy as one of the all-time greats became even more entrenched. Former footballer Mario Mosboeck continued to show his career change was for the better with another win on the black and gold felt before Dimitar Danchev made it six out of six victories for “Team Europe.”

Edgaras Kausinis Claims Lithuania's First-Ever Kings of Tallinn Main Event Title

Mon, 11 Mar 2024 18:00:48 +0000

The 2024 Kings Of Tallinn was the tenth iteration of the ever-popular live poker festival. Its €1,100 buy-in Main Event will be remembered for being the biggest on record and for ending a long-running hoodoo over Lithuanian players.

Some 914 players bought into the 2024 Kings of Tallinn Main Event, obliterating the previous best attendance by 198 entrants. The record-breaking crowd fought it out for the largest slice of he €859,160 prize pool at the Olympic Park Casino in the heart of the Estonian capital, Tallinn.

Wynn Millions: Shorr Rivered on the Bubble; Zamani Bags Best of 45 Survivors

Mon, 11 Mar 2024 15:35:55 +0000

Day 2 of the $3,500 Wynn Millions Championship has wrapped up inside the Wynn, Las Vegas after another ten levels played out on the hosts’ iconic blue felt. On a high, after the second stage was completed, was Martin Zamani, who bagged the chip lead as 45 players advanced to Day 3. There’s still plenty of poker left to play as the showstopper of the series wraps up on Wednesday, March 13.

APT Taipei 2024 Smashes Several Records; Awards Largest Main Event Prize in Tour's History

Mon, 11 Mar 2024 14:35:52 +0000

The Asian Poker Tour (APT) Taipei 2024 festival has wrapped up and it is safe to say it surpassed all expectations. APT Taipei boasted over 100 trophy events, making it one of the busiest schedules in the tour’s long and illustrious history, but it is the prize money awarded in some of those events that make APT Taipei 2024 extra special.

Eleven events broke APT and country records, including the Main Event, which raised the bar in terms of the total prize pool and the first-place prize awarded in Taiwan. The TWD 70,000 (US$2,270) buy-in Main Event drew in 737 unique players who purchased 445 re-entries between them, taking the total attendance to 1,182.

Career-Best Score for Ian Swan, the 888poker UKPL Luton Champion

Mon, 11 Mar 2024 12:36:02 +0000

888poker took its fledgling UK Poker League (UKPL) tour to the live poker hotbed that is Luton and Ian Swan will forever look back on this event with a beaming smile on his face. Swan returns home to bonny Scotland with the £560 Main Event trophy under one arm and a career-best £24,530 haul under the other.

The Main Event attracted 342 entrants and paid the top 53 finishers. A min-cash awarded £930, with a final table appearance boosting the payout to £3,250, and first-place originally awarding £34,000, although a deal would alter the top prize.

EXCLUSIVE: Tom Dwan Addresses Jetten & Voulgaris Debt Accusations in 45-Minute Interview

Mon, 11 Mar 2024 11:36:02 +0000

Tom Dwan, who spoke with PokerNews on Friday and then again on Sunday, is back on X after being locked out of his account, and he’s firing back at those who have accused him of failing to make whole unpaid debts.

The poker legend who once ruled the Full Tilt Poker streets under the screen name “durrrr,” had some choice words for Haralabos Voulgaris and Peter Jetten. But one player owes money to, Dan “Jungleman” Cates, stood up for him in a surprisingly cordial tweet.

Sugen Singh Takes The Trophy in the 2024 Sunbet Poker Tour Time Square Main Event

Mon, 11 Mar 2024 10:36:21 +0000

Three winners were crowned in the 2024 SunBet Poker Tour Time Square Main Event at the Time Square Casino in Pretoria, but only one of them walked away with the trophy. After a three-way deal, Sugen Singh posed for the winner shots and shared the biggest portion of the ZAR5,266,800 ($281,989) prize pool with SM and MAJ, both of which showcased their talents at the live-streamed final table.

The tournament drew 418 entries across four starting days to surpass the ZAR5,000,000 guarantee, and the trio atop walked away with juicy paydays from a ZAR15,000 (~$ $790) buy-in, which attracted many notables of the close-knit South African poker community.

Massive Mystery Bounty Festival Hits 888poker From March 17

Mon, 11 Mar 2024 10:35:57 +0000

The latest online poker tournament festival lands at 888poker on March 17, and everything points to it being another roaring success. Following on from the inaugural PokerNews Online Championship, the Mystery Bounty Festival is a ten-day series in which every event is a mystery bounty tournament.

The Mystery Bounty Festival runs at 888poker from March 17 until March 26. The bustling schedule contains 26 numbered events and dozens of side events, each played to the exciting mystery bounty format.

Don't Miss the Global Poker Micro Thunder Series VII March 10-17

Sat, 09 Mar 2024 19:00:59 +0000

Tiny entries, mighty prizes. That is the motto, and it’s an accurate one, for the upcoming Global Poker Micro Thunder Series VII, which takes place March 10-17 on the popular online poker platform.

There are 72 events total — 36 for Gold Coins (GC) players and 36 on the Sweeps Coins (SC) side — along with a Gods of Thunder event on March 24 that players can earn their way into throughout the series.

819th Episode of PokerNews Podcast Relaunches w/ Video Show; Kyna England & Mike Holtz New Co-Hosts

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 20:00:54 +0000

The PokerNews Podcast debuted in 2010 during the World Series of Poker (WSOP) November Nine, and since then the show has produced 819 episodes!

Throughout the years there have been several different combinations of hosts, from Donnie Peters & Matthew Parvis to Sarah Herring & Jeff Platt, but for the first time ever two well-known poker players – Kyna England and Mike Holtz – are joining longtime host Chad Holloway for a revamped PokerNews Podcast that now includes a professionally-produced in-studio video show.

Amidst Accusations, Tom Dwan Named Ambassador of Unregulated Poker Site

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 17:35:44 +0000

The site? Unregulated. The agreed sum? Unknown. The player? Tom “durrrr” Dwan.

The 37-year-old has $6.5 million in live earnings and was spotted patched up by the unregulated poker site while playing at the Triton Super High Roller Series in Jeju, South Korea.

“I happen to be really optimistic on the next few years of poker,” Dwan said in an announcement video. “You’ve got to be trying some new stuff and doing interesting stuff. I think a lot of the poker world is missing that.”

Sunday Million Season Gets Underway March 10 With PokerStars Adding Women's Sunday Tickets

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 16:35:45 +0000

As February drew to a close, PokerStars unveiled the Sunday Million Season, a six-week celebration of online poker’s most iconic tournament. Featuring 23 episodes before April 21, the PokerStars Sunday Million Season has tournaments with buy-ins of $5.50 to $530, and guaranteed prize pools worth up to $8 million!

The first three episodes of the PokerStars Sunday Millions Series will air on March 10, and the worthy champions will be crowned.

Win a €1,150 Irish Open Ticket For Only €1 at Paddy Power Poker

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 14:35:47 +0000

The Cheltenham Festival is one of the most eagerly anticipated horse racing meets, and the Irish Open is one of the biggest events on the live poker calendar. The two collide at Paddy Power Poker between March 12-15 when four €1 freezeout tournaments take place at 8:30 p.m. GMT, each with a €1,150 Irish Open Main Event seat guaranteed!

The €1 Irish Open Cheltenham Sat tournaments are exclusive to Paddy Power Poker, one of the Irish Open’s main sponsors. Be first across the finishing line and you’ll be heading to the 2024 Irish Open to play in the €1 million guaranteed Main Event for a single €1.

APPT Manila 2024 Hits the Jackpot with Expanded Venue and Bigger Guarantees

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 12:36:04 +0000

Get ready for an extraordinary poker experience both on and off the felt as PokerStars unveils exciting enhancements for the Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT) Manila 2024. Returning to the prestigious Okada Manila, this year’s event promises to be bigger and better, featuring an expanded venue and increased guarantees, including the debut of the APPT Manila Championship.

“The APPT circuit was established in 2007 and quickly became the reference tour in Asia, thanks to the quality of organisation and amazing venues”, said Cedric Billot, Associate Director of Live Events at PokerStars. “The 2024 APPT Manila will be one of the largest APPT ever, held in a new conference space at Okada Casino will be nothing but spectacular”.

888ride: Ali Nejad on Poker, Private Jets and Day Trading

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 12:35:50 +0000

888poker is back once again with another episode of their interview series 888ride. Over the last few weeks, the likes of Shaun Deeb, Phil Galfond and Ben Lamb have been in the passenger seat, and this edition sees GPI Broadcaster of the Year Ali Nejad join David Tuchman for a cruise around Las Vegas.

The duo discussed how Nejad got his start in poker and his several side hustles away from the felt. Nejad also shared some of his private jet-based adventures and how he nearly became an MTV star.

Rising Star Sinead Priestley Takes Down the 888poker UKPL Luton Opening Voyage

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 12:00:55 +0000

It is quite fitting that today is International Women’s Day and PokerNews is writing up a recap about a victory by one of the United Kingdom’s rising stars, Sinead Priestley.

Anyone who follows British poker knows that Priestley has been knocking on the door in live events over the past 12 months. On March 7, Priestley got the job done in the 888poker UK Poker League (UKPL) Luton Opening Voyage event and turned £250 into £17,865.

Celebrating International Women's Day: Meet the PokerNews Team

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 09:35:52 +0000

Happy International Women’s Day!

As the world celebrates the achievements and contributions of women, it’s essential to shine a light on those within poker and especially those working at PokerNews.

We gathered a group of four female staff members for a round table discussion about their experience in the industry, what it’s like working at PokerNews and what can be done to encourage more women to get involved in the world of poker — both as players and in industry roles.

‘American Idol’ Contestant Athena Jett Has Strong Poker Roots, But a Future in Music

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 00:35:45 +0000

Athena Jett, who gave an exclusive interview to PokerNews, will appear in the audition round of American Idol, a music competition TV show in its 22nd season, March 17 at 8 p.m. ET on Fox.

If that last name sounds familiar to poker fans, it’s because the 20-year-old from Las Vegas is the daughter of longtime poker players Karina Jett and Chip Jett, both former Full Tilt Poker pros with over $3 million in combined live tournament cashes, according to The Hendon Mob.

Cory Zeidman Sports Betting Fraud Case Update: Will Poker Pro Accept Plea Deal?

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 17:35:45 +0000

A federal case against poker pro Cory Zeidman for allegedly running a massive fraud scheme involving sports betting appears to be headed to a plea deal.

Zeidman, a resident of Boca Raton, Florida, was indicted in May 2022 for holding a “leadership role in an organization known as the ‘Phoenix Organization’ through which he, his co-conspirators and others committed the fraud and money laundering scheme described,” the indictment reads.

Headed for a Guilty Plea?

The longtime poker player, in a 2022 statement to PokerNews, said he wouldn’t take a plea deal and “I anxiously await my day in court.”

Triton Poker: Holz Cracks Aces for Fourth Title; Rokita Comes Out on Top in Rollercoaster Heads-Up

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 15:35:54 +0000

Triton Poker is once again capturing the attention of the poker fandom with its 2024 Jeju Super High Roller Series, which has seen its first two events wrap up on the iconic black and gold felt.

Fedor Holz had the honour of being in the first winner’s picture of the festival. Then one of Holz’ close friends, Roland Rokita, survived a topsy-turvey heads-up encounter against Sirzat Hissou to bag his maiden Triton title.

PokerStars Players in India Moving to New Platform; Promises Enhanced User Experience

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 15:35:45 +0000

It’s a new era for PokerStars players in India!

From this week, players can take advantage of new software, greater liquidity and a larger player base after moving to the newly developed Poker Platform, tailored by Flutter to the Indian gaming community.

The move to the platform, created by PokerStars’ parent company Flutter, is currently used by its Indian brand Junglee and will see the player pools combine in a localisation effort aiming to cater to the specific preferences and needs of Indian players.

€5.5 Million is Guaranteed in the Bounty Hunter Series XL at Bet365 Poker

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 09:35:47 +0000

Online poker sites on the bustling iPoker Network, including Bet365 Poker, are running a massive €5.5 million Bounty Hunter Series XL that runs every day in March, drawing to a close on April 2. Bet365 Poker is the place to be if you are a seasoned bounty hunter or someone just dipping their toes into this exciting format.

The €5,500,000 Bounty Hunter Series XL’s schedule is so big that it would fill an entire PokerNews page or two; that’s what happens when you run several bounty, progressive bounty, and mystery bounty tournaments every day for a month.

Daniel Negreanu Continues Hot 2024 Start; Philip Sternheimer Wins PGT Dealer's Choice

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 23:35:51 +0000

Daniel Negreanu wasn’t kidding when he said changes were coming following a rough 2023 year. The Poker Hall of Famer took second place on Wednesday behind Philip Sternheimer in a $10,200 buy-in PokerGO Tour Dealer’s Choice event.

Action took place inside the PokerGO Studio in Las Vegas with 47 players registered, seven paid. Five players returned for Day 2, including Phil Hellmuth, who started the day with just a couple big bets and was the first one to go at the final table in fifth place for $37,600.

Industry Insiders: WPT Global President Alex Scott is Ready for the Spotlight

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 22:35:54 +0000

Last year, long-time industry veteran Alex Scott was named as President of WPT Global. Not only that, the 40-year-old husband and father made it known that he would be serving in a very public-facing role, something WPT Global had been lacking.

Having grown up in the north of England and now residing in the Isle of Man, Scott attributes his roots in online poker to his love of technology as a child.

Join PokerNews For Some Poker Fun in the Sun at the Merit Poker Carmen Series

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 16:36:07 +0000

The five-star, all-inclusive Merit Crystal Cove Hotel & Casino in Kyrenia, Cyprus, is gearing up to host another action-packed poker festival, the Merit Poker Carmen Series. Running from March 18-31, the Merit Poker Carmen Series schedule features over 60 tournaments and satellites, with each boasting a guarantee.

PokerNews’ live reporting team is heading to sunny Cyprus to bring you live and exclusive coverage from three of the Merit Poker Carmen Series’ biggest events.

Battle Phil Ivey & Brad Owen in WPT Global's Discord Tournament Ambassador Takeover

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 16:35:52 +0000

WPT Global is turning up the heat in its $10 Discord Tournament in March and April with a thrilling twist – the inclusion of WPT Global Ambassadors and Influencers as $500 bounties! Every Sunday during this special promotion, players will have the chance to face off against renowned poker personalities such as Brad Owen, Andrew Neeme, Ethan ‘Rampage’ Yau, Jon ‘apestyles’ Van Fleet, and the legendary Phil Ivey, each carrying a tempting $500 bounty on their head.

Inside Gaming: PartyPoker Up For Sale, and 888poker Leaving the US?

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 15:35:53 +0000

PartyPoker could soon be under new ownership if rumors circulating are true. Several sources have contacted gambling newsletter Earnings+More claiming the former number one online poker site is deemed surplus to requirements by parent company Entain.

It is not all sunshine and rainbows at Entain right now, with the gambling giant on the hook for a £615 million settlement following an HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) investigation that started in 2019. The HMRC and the Crown Prosecution Service pursued Entain, which was named GVC Holdings at the time, claiming it failed to prevent bribery at its former Turkey subsidiary between July 2011 and December 2017. Entain agreed to pay £615 million over four years in exchange for settling the case.

Razvan RazvyB Belea Triumphant in PokerNews Online Championship Main Event at 888poker

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 11:36:00 +0000

It took only two hours on Day 3 of Event #39: $215 Mystery Bounty Main Event at the 2024 PokerNews Online Championship hosted by 888poker for Romania’s Razvan “RazvyB” Belea to top the eight-handed final table and claim the title of champion. He beat out a field of 1,627 runners to scoop a total of $27,654 from the overall $325,400 prize pool with $25,626 of that coming from his first place finish.

Mixed Game Festival VII Draws Bracelet Winners; John Rozance Wins NAPT Package

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 00:35:45 +0000

The poker room at Resorts World Las Vegas once again transformed into a mixed game oasis this past week as Cardplayer Lifestyle hosted its seventh Mixed Game Festival from Feb. 25-29.

The Mixed Game Festival VII featured everything from a pizza party and trivia challenge to a Women’s Wednesday and a $300 H.E.R.O.S. tournament that awarded a $3,000 PokerStars North American Poker Tour (NAPT) package to the winner.

PokerNews’ own Chad Holloway, Matt Hansen and Connor Richards were in the mix over at Resorts World and got a glance of the popular poker festival that has drawn players from around the world. Here’s a look at some of the highlights.

Op-Ed: Is This Fair? Balatro Hit With 18+ Age Rating Change

Tue, 05 Mar 2024 18:35:53 +0000

The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the author(s). They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of PokerNews or its members.

A bunch of us here at PokerNews have been absolutely enamoured and hooked by the sensational ‘poker, rogue-lite’ game Balatro. I, for one, have pushed back several bedtimes to do “just one more” run (it’s never just one), and I know for a fact that my colleagues have done the same, whether they admit to it or not.

Michael Esquivel Earns a Vacation With Destination RunGood Tunica Win ($55,321)*

Tue, 05 Mar 2024 18:01:08 +0000

The Destination RunGood Tunica Main Event has come to an end and Michael Esquivel is the winner after a deal with Loi Hoang at the beginning of heads-up play.

The latest stop for the RunGood Poker Series at Horseshoe Tunica drew 662 players one more than the previous trip in November 2023 and the best 82 players split up a prize pool of $337,620.

Esquivel dominated a wild final table to finish with the big stack for a top prize of $55,321, along with the RGPS ring. The deal was cut with Hoang, who won $45,608 for the second-place effort. They both outlasted Brian Duffy in third and Michael Chilton in fourth. Chilton parlayed the second-highest stack from Day 1c to a $22,614 payday. Chris Cochran rounded out the top five.

Thiago azevedo45 Azevedo Takes Down the Irish Open Online Main Event at PokerStars

Tue, 05 Mar 2024 15:35:45 +0000

The 2024 Irish Poker Open is less than three weeks away, and PokerStars got into the spirit by running a 17-event online edition of Europe’s longest-running poker tournament. Over $1.1 million was distributed throughout the Irish Open Online, with $27,678 of that princely sum now nestled in the PokerStars account of Thiago “azevedo45” Azevedo.

Azevedo was one of 2,297 entrants in the $109 No-Limit Hold’em 8-Max Irish Open Online Main Event. That bumper crowd created a $229,700 prize pool, way more than the advertised $150,000 guarantee.

PokerNews Online Championship Main Events Smash Their Guarantees at 888poker

Tue, 05 Mar 2024 12:35:54 +0000

PokerNews and 888poker wanted two Main Events for the inaugural PokerNews Online Championship and settled on a $25 buy-in, $50,000 guaranteed, and $215 buy-in, $300,000 guaranteed mystery bounty affair. Both guarantees were on the ambitious side, yet both were obliterated thanks to your incredible support.

Some 1,627 players bought into the $215 edition, creating a guarantee-busting $325,400 prize pool while a field of 3,085 in the $25 buy-in tournament resulted in $70,955 being awarded!

Phil Laak Makes His First Appearance on High Stakes Poker Since 2011

Tue, 05 Mar 2024 02:01:13 +0000

Popular poker pro Phil Laak made his High Stakes Poker return Monday night for the first time since 2011 when the iconic poker show aired on the Game Show Network.

Episode 3 of Season 12, now on PokerGO, featured a colorful cast of characters joining the “Unabomber” at the table, headlined by HSP regular Jean-Robert Bellande, high-stakes crusher Andrew Robl, and Hustler Casino Live polarizing figure Nikhil “Nik Airball” Arcot. The full list of players in the game and their starting chip stacks are listed below.

Doug Polk on Joe Ingram's Poker Podcasting Return: Come Play at The Lodge, Mike Postle

Mon, 04 Mar 2024 21:00:47 +0000

Joey Ingram, perhaps the most popular poker podcaster ever, returned to the podcast streets Monday for an entertaining discussion with Doug Polk, who made a bold offer to accused poker cheat Mike Postle.

In an unrelated note, Postle made a surprising random public appearance last week for an X Spaces conversation. During that discussion, which lasted around two hours, he repeated his longstanding denial that he cheated during Stones Live streams in 2018 and 2019. Veronica Brill, the Stones player and commentator who originally brought forth the accusations in September 2019, then fired back with a lengthy statement to PokerNews.

PokerStars Titans Victory Pushes Leonard Maue's Online Earnings to $11.5 Million

Mon, 04 Mar 2024 16:36:21 +0000

Leonard “Grozzorg” Maue added to his already glowing reputation over the weekend when he came out on top in the $5,200 Titans Event online at PokerStars. Maue got his hands on $82,322 after battling through an all-star cast, and that prize money pushed Maue’s recorded online tournament winnings to almost $11.5 million.

Maue enjoyed a stellar 2023 and his rich vein of form seems to have continued into 2024. Last year, Maue finished fifth in the $10,300 WCOOP Main Event at PokerStars for $298,792, finished second in a $10,300 buy-in event at GGPoker for $294,841, and took down the special edition $10,300 Super MILLION$ at GGPoker for $1,358,444.

Earn 100% Rakeback at WPT Global Through All of March

Mon, 04 Mar 2024 16:36:06 +0000

WPT Global hosts some fantastic online poker tournaments, which will become increasingly popular through March because of a special promotion promising to give multi-table tournament grinders 100% of their rake back!

From March 4-31, 100% of the tournament rake WPT Global collects will be divided between three freerolls that have $100,000, $150,000, and $350,000 guaranteed prize pools. There are some restrictions on who can play in these 100% Rakeback Freerolls, so that only players who contribute to the prize pool get to enjoy the value WPT Global is offering.

WPT Rolling Thunder Championship Takes Place March 23-26 in NorCal

Mon, 04 Mar 2024 15:36:10 +0000

Thunder Valley Casino Resort is a popular World Poker Tour (WPT) destination, and it will play host to the $3,500 buy-in WPT Rolling Thunder Championship from March 23-26.

The event in Lincoln, California, a town near Sacramento, always attracts large fields. Prior to the Main Tour championship event, the WPT Rolling Thunder series, which begins March 7, features 21 events with buy ins ranging from $200 to $3,500.

Can Scott Eskenazi Defend Title?

The 2023 WPT Rolling Thunder attracted 590 entrants, with Scott Eskenazi winning it for $361,600 to join the WPT Champions Club. He defeated Jeremy Joseph ($234,000) heads up to finish it off. World Poker Tour commentator Tony Dunst also reached the final table, but was eliminated in sixth place for $73,400.

casual_win Takes Gold in the PokerNews Online Championship $40K PKO Rumble

Mon, 04 Mar 2024 13:36:07 +0000

The United Kingdom’s “casual_win” helped themselves to one of the largest prizes of the PokerNews Online Championship so far by coming out on top of the $40,000 guaranteed PKO Rumble High Roller at 888poker. With bounties included, the British grinder took home $10,268 for their victory.

Sixty-seven players bought in for $525 and fought it out for a share of the $40,000 prize pool. Being responsible for eliminating a foe came with a bounty payment of at least $125, but those bounties massively increased at the business end of the tournament.

WSOP Main Event Finalist Nick Marchington Wins the Grosvenor UK Open Main Event

Mon, 04 Mar 2024 12:00:44 +0000

Nick Marchington captured his first recorded live poker tournament victory by taking down the 1,500 buy-in Grosvenor UK Open Main Event in Coventry for an impressive 146,560. Marchington outlasted 619 opponents en route to collecting the second-largest score of his poker career.

Marchington is a cash game specialist who successfully dabbles with tournament poker. The British star is best known for a seventh-place finish in the 2019 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event, a fine result that bagged him $1,525,000. Marchington came close to his maiden live victory in November 2019 but fell at the final hurdle in the $1,100 Last Chance Turbo at the PartyPoker MILLIONS World Bahamas. He now has got the proverbial monkey off his back.

2018 Poker HOF Inductees Hennigan, Eskandani Go Back-to-Back at PGT Mixed Games Series

Sun, 03 Mar 2024 16:35:52 +0000

It’s been a good week for Poker Hall of Famers, and specifically those who were inducted in 2018.

John Hennigan and Mori Eskandani went back-to-back at the 2024 PokerGO Tour (PGT) Mixed Games series in Las Vegas, with Hennigan first taking down the $5,100 8-Game event for $120,150 before the PokerGO president followed up with a $10,200 H.O.R.S.E. victory for a career-best $201,600 and his first PGT title.

Find Out More About the Poker Hall of Fame!

Finn's Username Doesn't Check Out in the PokerNews Online Championship

Sun, 03 Mar 2024 14:35:46 +0000

What’s in a name? Some poker players choose an alias to represent them at online poker sites that has some truth behind it or is their nickname away from the tables. Others select a name that is something of a reverse tell, giving the impression they are inexperienced. Finland’s “lovelydonk” seems to fall into the latter category.

A name like “lovelydonk” conjures up an image of a happy-go-lucky player who doesn’t know what they are doing. After bulldozing their way to victory in the $109 DeepStack PKO, part of the PokerNews Online Championship at 888poker, “lovelydonk” may need an alias change.

Brazilians Dominate in the PokerNews Online Championship

Sat, 02 Mar 2024 13:36:06 +0000

Day 6 of the $1 million guaranteed PokerNews Online Championship at 888poker was a busy one, with five events crowning their worthy champions. Four of those tournament were six-handed mystery bounty events, with the unique Cut to the Chase event being the fifth and final tournament of the evening. Four of the day’s champions hail from Brazil.

The $109 buy-in edition of the Mystery Bounty 6-Max saw 192 players create a $19,200 prize pool, and Brazil’s “betsoares” came away with $3,658 of that sum. The largest mystery bounty weighed in at $2,000, and it was seventh-place finisher “Tttrrx” who pulled this out of the golden envelope before bursting the final table bubble.

Rampage is Back! Poker Vlogger Wins $475k Pot vs. Nik Airball in Epic Hustler Casino Live Hand

Sat, 02 Mar 2024 06:36:05 +0000

Ethan “Rampage” Yau has been on a downswing in recent months, but a massive hand against Nikhil “Nik Airball” Arcot during Friday night’s Hustler Casino Live stream might have him headed back in the right direction.

The hand in question, which led to a $473,000 pot, occurred at around 10 p.m. PT, about five hours into the $50/$100 no-limit hold’em cash game.

Rampage Poker Wins Three-Way Cooler

Hustle Casino Live’s X account teased a “huge hand coming up soon” about an hour before the hand in question aired. When it did air, Dr. P began the action by raising to $300 from the hijack with QQ before Rampage three-bet to $1,200 on the button with KK. Airball, in the small blind with AK, just called, which led Dr. P to move all in for $25,875.

Poker Game Bans Causing Tension in World's Largest Retirement Community

Sat, 02 Mar 2024 00:00:47 +0000

There’s some drama brewing at the most infamous retirement community in the world The Villages in Florida over recreational poker game bans, and it’s put many residents on tilt.

The Villages, the world’s largest retirement community with over 145,000 residents from all across the globe, is infamous for its apparently vibrant swingers’ scene and black market for Viagra. But the area also previously had some popular poker games running inside various rec centers but some have since been shut down, a decision that has caused some uproar.

How to Decide Which WSOP Tournament(s) to Play

Fri, 01 Mar 2024 18:36:14 +0000

The 2024 World Series of Poker (WSOP) is less than 100 days away, and poker players in their tens of thousands will flock to The Horseshoe to pursue their dreams of WSOP glory.

And with the schedule out, you’ve probably already thought about which events you’d like to hop into. This can be a tough choice if you need to mull over many variables like bankroll considerations, how long you can go for, etc. Luckily for you, PokerNews has tried to aid that decision process with this guide on how to choose best what WSOP tournament(s) to play.

Brad Owen Bringing Meet-Up Game to WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown

Fri, 01 Mar 2024 17:35:51 +0000

World Poker Tour (WPT) ambassador Brad Owen is taking his popular Meet-Up Game (MUG) to South Florida on April 18 during the WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown.

Fans of the legendary vlogger will have an opportunity to compete against Owen, and perhaps score some “Bradley Dollars” in the process. Joining the $2/$5 no-limit hold’em cash game action at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino will be WPT Executive Tour Director Matt Savage and longtime commentator Vince Van Patten.

Will the GUKPT Goliath Continue Breaking Records in 2024? Full Schedule Released

Fri, 01 Mar 2024 12:00:45 +0000

The Grosvenor UK Poker Tour (GUKPT) has unveiled the full schedule for the 2024 edition of the ever-popular Goliath tournament and the accompanying series. The 2024 Goliath takes place at the Grosvenor G Casino in Coventry from July 25 through August 4, with the organizers hopeful the low-stakes phenomenon will continue its trend of breaking its attendance record year on year.

The Goliath has gone from strength to strength since its launch in 2011. A field of 1,765 players turned out for the inaugural Goliath, an impressive turn-out in its own right. By 2016, more than 5,000 players bought in, with a staggering 9,300-strong crowd fighting it out in 2019.

PokerNews' Lukas Robinson Captures PokerNews Online Championship Main Event Chip Lead

Fri, 01 Mar 2024 10:00:50 +0000

It is quite fitting that on the day 888poker launched its Stream On promotion, one of online poker’s most popular streamers, PokerNews’ very own Lukas “RobinPoker.” Robinson finds himself at the top of the chip counts in the PokerNews Online Championship Mystery Bounty Main Event.

The Malta-based Liverpudlian was one of 58 entrants in the $215 buy-in, $300,000 guaranteed Mystery Bounty Main Event that shuffled up and dealt at 7:00 p.m. GMT on February 29. By the time the curtain came down on proceedings, Robinson had turned his 10,000 starting stack into a tournament-leading pile of 190,445 chips.

Become an 888poker Stream Team Member in the Stream On Contest

Fri, 01 Mar 2024 08:35:51 +0000

Are you on the fence about embarking on a streaming journey, or perhaps you harbor dreams of representing one of the most famous online poker sites in the world while showcasing your skills on Twitch? Whichever best describes you, you must get involved in 888poker’s Stream On contest because the lucky winner will become part of the 888poker Stream Team!

The Stream On contest starts on March 16, runs until April 15, and will see one lucky poker streamer receive an 888poker Stream Team contract and join the likes of Jordan “jordanbanfield_” Banfield, Nick “eastyyy22” Eastwood, Ricardo “Mat3usPT” Mateus, Josh “joshmanleypoker” Manley, Andrei “AndreiCoz” Cosmin, Aaron “abarone68” Barone, and Leo “leojokura” Jokura in flying the 888poker flag.

Reality TV Star is Attempting One of the Wildest Poker Bankroll Challenges Ever, and Streaming it 24/7

Fri, 01 Mar 2024 05:00:45 +0000

Kevin Martin has begun one of the wildest poker bankroll challenges ever, and every second of it can be witnessed on Twitch.

The popular longtime streamer has abandoned his entire bankroll every last penny of it in an attempt to go from $0 to a brand new bankroll. Martin answered a few questions for PokerNews during his Thursday stream, the second day of his unique challenge. He first explained what gave him the idea to go through with, more or less, starting his poker career over from scratch.