Is this the Biggest Failed Bluff in Poker History? Should Tournaments Start Earlier?

In the 925th episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway is once again joined by Mike Holtz and Ben Ludlow at Level 9 Studios to talk the latest stories in the poker world. That includes the massive $1.3 million pot from a special episode of High Stakes Poker, one that saw Alan Keating try and execute a huge bluff. Was it a valiant effort or an ill-timed move?  The trio also offers their thoughts on the topic of "Should poker tournaments start earlier?", which was being discussed on social media by Seth Davies and Jason Koon. Speaking of the latter, you'll get to see highlights from 'All In with Jason Koon' from the 2025 PokerStars NAPT, as well as a look at Comedy Night with Joe "Stapes" Stapleton and RunGood Trivia Night with Boston Rob Mariano and Tyson Apostol of Survivor fame. Chad actually caught up with the two reality TV legends for a poker trivia game of his own. In other NAPT news, Jeremy Ausmus beat quad aces with a Royal Flush, Nikolai Mamut defeated TJ Reid to win the NAPT PokerStars Open, and Stephen Chidwick, Cherish Andrews, and Raena Janes all took down titles. Finally, get a preview of upcoming stops, including the next Hendon Mob Championship in Cape Town and the RGPS Grand Prix San Diego. 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 00:53 | Alan Keating bluffs it off in $1.3M pot 03:00 | Señor Tilt's big pot on PokerGO 07:00 | Alan Keating on HSP 11:09 | Tournament start time debate 23:35 | Royal Flush cooler for Jeremy Ausmus 27:00 | All in with Jason Koon highlights 30:38 | Comedy Night with Joe Stapleton 32:47 | Highlights from Comedy Night 33:47 | Trivia Night w/ Boston Rob & Tyson 39:00 | Nikolai Mamut wins NAPT Las Vegas PS Open 42:34 | Stephen Chidwick takes down NAPT $50k Super High Roller Win 45:30 | Cherish Andrews wins NAPT Mystery Bounty 47:20 | Raena Janes wins NAPT Ladies Event 47:45 | Elaine Rawn wins NAPT Ladies High Roller 48:18 | Hendon Mob Championship  49:07 | RGPS Grand Prix San Diego 50:55 | Shoutout to Kim

In the 924th episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway is once again joined by Mike Holtz and Ben Ludlow at Level 9 Studios to talk about the latest stories in the poker world. That includes a double murder that took place at a home game in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and poker pro Steven Jones, who finished runner-up to Daniel Wienman in the 2023 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event, being a contestant on Squid Game: The Challenge Season 2. From there, Chad reveals the charity fundraiser record he set with the help of the poker world, Elon Musk weighing in on the AI poker bot battle, and John Riordan winning the $100,000 PLO Super High Roller Bowl. Speaking of winners, Justin Arnwine scored big at RGPS Grand Prix Maryland. The crew then talks about the upcoming December war between the WSOP Paradise and WPT World Championship, and the new poker documentary No Limit about the former stop.  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 01:14 | Double murder at Wisconsin poker game 05:30 | Steven Jones on Season 2 of Squid Game: The Challenge 09:17 | Poker world helps Chad sets charity record 12:10 | Elon Musk and the AI poker battle 17:52 | John Riordan wins PLO Super High Roller Bowl  21:04 | Justin Arnwine scores big at RGPS Grand Prix Maryland 27:47 | WSOP initiatives & Paradise 30:12 | WSOP vs. WPT 34:42 | No Limit documentary on YouTube 36:24 | Bar Poker Open returning to Borgata 38:14 | Allen Kessler's Mixed Game Series at Planet Hollywood 39:54 | Robbie Strazynski's Mixed Game Festival XII 40:24 | The PokerStars NAPT is here 42:00 | Run Good Trivia Night

In the 923rd episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway is once again joined by Mike Holtz and Ben Ludlow at Level 9 Studios to discuss the latest stories from the poker world. That includes the wild, mainstream poker cheating story involving NBA players and coach Chauncey Billups, the mafia, and more.  As if that wasn't controversial enough, well-known poker pro Ren Lin was disqualified from a live poker tournament for helping a friend in an online one. As a result, he was indefinitely banned from GGPoker and the WSOP. Find out what happened in this episode. Other stories include a "High-Rated Poker Player's" Las Vegas brothel, highlights from the World Tournament of Slots (WTOS), and recent tournament winners, including Charles Furey, Nick Burris, and Chino Rheem at the PGT PLO Series II. Finally, find out who the lucky winner was in the $10,000 NAPT Gold Pass giveaway! 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* 00:15 | Welcome to the show 01:30 | Poker cheating scandal involving NBA coach & players 07:33 | Mafia involvement 10:09 | Matt Berkey called it out two years ago 17:02 | Ren Lin's disqualification and indefinite ban 27:30 | Daniel Negreanu defends Ren Lin 31:19 | "High-Rated Poker Player's" Las Vegas brothel 35:50 | Highlights from the World Tournament of Slots 39:00 | NAPT Gold Pass giveaway winner 41:00 | Interview w/ Tom Pierce 45:50 | WPT Bay 101 Shooting Star final table set 49:50 | Charles Furey takes down PokerStars Open Maryland  50:33 | Nicholas Burris wins RGPS Tulsa for $65,435 51:30 | Chino Rheem Dominates PGT PLO Series II 53:00 | NAPT is upon us!

In the 922nd episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway is down at the Atlantis on Paradise Island in the Bahamas for the 2nd Annual World Tournament of Slots (WTOS). Reigning World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event champ Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi is also there and agreed to serve as a special cohost for this episode. Mizrachi talks about life after his unprecedented summer, his son getting into poker, hobbies outside of the game, and his thoughts on the Poker Hall of Fame. The two hosts then welcome special guest "Mama Grinder," who is down in the Bahamas with her son so she can participate in the WTOS! Find out what she thinks of her son's success, how she's passed down her competitive spirit, and her favorite slot machine. You'll also see highlights from Mizrachi's Mixed Games Match-Up "Drama in the Bahamas" against defending WTOS champ Stephanie "Win-It-All" Hall, and an interview with poker pro Eddie Blumenthal, who just happened to be down in the Bahamas. Blumenthal talks about getting sober at the beginning of the year and how it's had a positive impact on his life. Finally, it is the last episode in our $10,000 NAPT Gold Pass giveaway, meaning the final code word drops, and you now have until 11:59 p.m. PT on Sunday, October 26 to get in the correct code phrase to be entered to win. Click here for details on the PokerNews Podcast NAPT Gold Pass Giveaway! 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* 00:20 | Welcome Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi 01:03 | Back at the Atlantis Paradise Island for WTOS 01:44 | Life after winning the World Series of Poker 03:19 | New GGPoker sponsorship 05:13 | Are there any poker players that you're afraid of? 05:55 | Grinder's son taking up the game 07:14 | World Tournament of Slots 08:20 | Hobbies outside of poker 10:20 | What's coming up for the Grinder? 12:00 | Thoughts on the Poker Hall of Fame 13:08 | Mama Grinder joins the show 18:08 | Drama in the Bahamas highlights 23:00 | Interview w/ Stephanie "Win It All" Hall 28:45 | Eddie Blumenthal's sobriety journey

In the 921st episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway, Mike Holtz, and Ben Ludlow are all at Level 9 Studios in Las Vegas with high-stakes poker player Brian Okin for a special episode devoted to Okin's Game on Venetian Poker Live.  The live-streamed cash game has produced some wildly entertaining hands and offers lineups that regularly include poker stars like Jean-Robert Bellande, Eric Wasserson, Matt Berkey, Martin Kabrhel, and regining WSOP Main Event champ Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi; as well as, relative newcomers, at least to the poker spotlight, such as Royski and Dr. Phil.  If you're not familiar with Brian Okin, this is your chance to learn about his poker origins in Manhattan, which included playing in the famed Molly's Game, to his transition to Las Vegas. Learn the ins and outs of what it takes to put together a regular high-stakes poker cash game, what exactly is 'Squid Game' in poker, and a look at some of the most famous hands played by Okin including bluffing into the nuts and winning a monster pot worth $320,000! Click here for details on the PokerNews Podcast NAPT Gold Pass Giveaway! 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 0:00 Welcome to the show 0:39 Who is Brian Okin? 5:33 Moving to Las Vegas 7:50 Molly's Game 11:33 Starting Okin's Game 14:46 What is Squid Game in poker? 16:50 Players from Okin's Game 22:39 Constructing a non-pro poker game 26:26 Mariano vs. Royski 32:03 An unbelievable fold 39:08 A $320K Pot! 41:45 Bluffing Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi 44:33 The Bobblehead 46:52 Bluffing into the nuts 50:55 Okin's brand of tilt  

In the 920th episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway, Mike Holtz, and Ben Ludlow are all at Level 9 Studios in Las Vegas to talk a little but about WSOP champ and the most recent member of the Poker Hall of Fame Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi, who actually sat down with Chad at the Venetian to talk about his new "Grinder's Game" cash game and the upcoming World Tournament of Slots (WTOS). They then discuss David Coleman winning the Poker Masters purple jacket, Jason Koon's bad beat, Shaun Deeb capturing his WSOP bracelet, and other winners from the WSOP Europe. Speaking of winners, Jeremy Gaubert took down the RGPS Grand Prix New Orleans, Josh Arieh and Nick Palma both won online bracelets, and Bridget Johnson was victorious in the RPT Tri-State Poker Championship. Finally, Chad reveals another code word for this year's NAPT Gold Pass giveaway valued at $10,000, and goes one-on-one with Chris Bilinsky, a Gold Pass winner who's already booked his ticket to Las Vegas. There are not many up for grabs this year, so you won't want to miss out on this limited opportunity to win one just by listening to the PokerNews Podcast and MSPT Podcast Presented By PokerNews. 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 00:53 | What are your thoughts on the Grinder? 03:34 | Grinder's Bounty & Grinder's Game at the Venetian 07:21 | Interview with Michael Mizrachi 10:00 | World Tournament of Slots (WTOS) coming Oct. 22-26 10:41 | David Coleman wins Poker Masters purple jacket 12:29 | Winners from the 2025 Poker Masters 14:25 | Bad beat for Jason Koon 17:50 | Shaun Deeb captures 8th WSOP bracelet 20:00 | WSOP Europe in need of a change? 26:58 | Jeremy Gaubert wins RGPS Grand Prix New Orleans 27:30 | Josh Arieh wins online event for 7th bracelet 30:30 | Nick Palma wins 1st bracelet in online event   34:00 | Bridget Johnson takes down RPT Tri-State Poker Championship 37:10 | Interview w/ Gold Pass winner Chris Bilinsky

In the 919th episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway and Mike Holtz are joined by Connor Richards to talk about the latest stories from the poker world, including a discussion about the current poker content landscape on YouTube. If Brad Owen's recent experience is any indication, things don't look good. The trio then discusses Martin Kabrhel's gold bracelet win at the 2025 World Series of Poker Europe, Michael Mizrachi's "Grinder's Game" coming to Venetian Poker Live, and All In with Jason Koon slated to take place during November's NAPT. Speaking of which, Chad reveals another code word for this year's NAPT Gold Pass giveaway valued at $10,000! There are not many up for grabs this year, so you won't want to miss out on this limited opportunity to win one just by listening to the PokerNews Podcast and MSPT Podcast Presented By PokerNews. You will also get a behind-the-scenes look at the recent Charity Series of Poker (CSOP) St. Jude, learn about winners from the 2025 Poker Masters and WSOPE, a new poker room coming to Las Vegas, and Chad's personal adventures involving the Miami Dolphins and Mötley Crüe. It's a fun episode that you won't want to miss, so tune in now! 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* 01:15 Brad Owen's YouTube channel taken down 06:55 Martin Kabrhel wins 5th WSOP bracelet 10:10 Grinder's Game coming to Venetian Poker Live 12:43 All In with Jason Koon during 2025 NAPT 16:55 NAPT Hotel Room Rate 17:32 CSOP St. Jude 19:34 Highlight video from the CSOP 21:05 2025 Poker Masters winners 24:19 Jared Passanante wins at the Reserve 25:38 WSOP Europe winners 27:00 Poker room coming to Green Valley Ranch 30:30 Allen Kessler's Chainsaw Series of Poker 32:20 New episode of Life Outside Poker 35:36 Chad's Miami Dolphins & Mötley Crüe adventure

In the 918th episode of the PokerNews Podcast, the 100th of the revamped in-studio show, Chad Holloway and Mike Holtz are joined by Ben Ludlow to talk about the latest stories from the poker world, including a discussion about GGPoker's Olive Branch Initiative. Do banned players and poker cheaters deserve a second chance? The trio then discusses Monarch's recent seven-figure heads-up matches that saw $11 million and $12.7 million pots, recent tournament winners from the latest Triton Poker stop, including Isaac Haxton and Christoph Vogelsang, and Kristen Foxen taking over the top spot from Vanessa Selbst on the Women's All-Time Money List on The Hendon Mob.  Plus, Chadd Beatty wins RGPS Grand Prix Pennsylvania Main Event, and it's your last chance to qualify for a FREE seat in the World Tournament of Slots (WTOS). Finally, Chad reveals another code word for this year's NAPT Gold Pass giveaway valued at $10,000! There are not many up for grabs this year, so you won't want to miss out on this limited opportunity to win one just by listening to the PokerNews Podcast and MSPT Podcast Presented By PokerNews. 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 02:32 | GGPoker's Olive Branch Initiative 10:40 | Monarch's heater 11:40 | Does it count as a cash game pot? 12:32 | $11 million pot vs Alex Foxen 14:54 | $12.7 million pot vs Bjorn Li 20:23 | Is it the largest "cash" pot in history? 25:00 | Clyde "Snack Attack" Gaskins big winner 28:25 | Ike Haxton breaks Triton curse to win first title 31:15 | Nacho Barbero defeats Phil Ivey heads up 32:10 | Christoph Vogelsang wins Main Event 33:55 | Kristen Foxen becomes No. 1 on Women's All-Time List  38:15 | Chadd Beatty wins RGPS Grand Prix Pennsylvania Main Event  40:55 | Last Chance to qualify for a FREE Seat in the World Tournament of Slots

In the 917th episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway and Mike Holtz are joined by Ben Ludlow to talk about the latest stories from the poker world, including a discussion on the future of poker following the failure of a provision that would've mitigated the concerning gambling tax implications of the Big Beautiful Bill. Is there still time to turn things around? The trio then discusses some of Monarch's recent seven-figure heads-up matches, Phil Hellmuth issuing a $1,000,000 challenge, and recent tournament winners from the 888poker LIVE London, including Gang Wang, Aaron Barone, and Vivian Saliba. Chad then sits down with the winner of PokerNews' World Tournament of Slots (WTOS) giveaway. Find out who will be headed to the Bahamas in October, where they'll have a shot at a million bucks and the opportunity to meet reigning World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event champ Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi. Finally, Chad reveals the latest code word for this year's NAPT Gold Pass giveaway valued at $10,000! There are not many up for grabs this year, so you won't want to miss out on this limited opportunity to win one just by listening to the PokerNews Podcast and MSPT Podcast Presented By PokerNews. 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 00:48 | The future of poker amid Big Beautiful Bill provision failure 12:25 | Monarch takes on Limitless & Foxen 15:43 | Video: Foxen puts Monarch to the test 20:08 | Hellmuth offers $1 million poker cash game challenge 22:40 | Hellmuth's cash game statistics 26:10 | World Tournament of Slots giveaway winner 35:00 | Win a Silver Pass to 2025 NAPT Las Vegas 36:20 | Gang Wang wins 888poker LIVE London Main Event 37:52 | Aaron Barone wins 888poker LIVE London Ambassador Event  38:10 | Vivian Saliba takes down £550 Big Shot  39:20 | What nationalities are crushing poker nowadays? 42:00 | Japan Open Poker Tour (JOPT) 43:40 | 888poker XL Autumn Series runs Sept. 21-29

In the 916th episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway and Mike Holtz are joined by Jesse Fullen to talk about the latest stories from the poker world, including Martin Kabrhel and his website selling merchandise bearing his trademark catchphrases such as "Not like that" and "Casino Royale." From there, they recap the highly-publicized heads-up match between Barstool Nate and Dave Portnoy where the former made what some call the worst fold in poker history; take a look at the unique wedding photos from the Burning Man ceremony of Liv Boeree and Igor Kurganov; and take a look at PokerNews' new The Rundown. Among the tournament winners highlighted in this week's episode are Jeremy Becker, Chino Rheem, Joshua Gebissa, Liam Gannon, and Kathy Liebert. Other stories include a look at the WPT World Championship schedule, a fresh edition of New Vlogs on the Block, and how Joey from Love is Blind and his protein company FLŸTE made their way into Chad's life. Finally, Chad reveals the details surrounding this year's NAPT Gold Pass giveaway valued at $10,000! There are not many up for grabs this year, so you won't want to miss out on this limited opportunity to win one just by listening to the PokerNews Podcast and MSPT Podcast Presented By PokerNews. 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 04:12 | Martin Kabrhel's merchandise shop 08:21 | Barstool Nate vs. Dave Portnoy 13:58 | Worst fold in poker history? 19:01 | Barstool Nate reacts to result of heads-up match 21:35 | Igor Nurganov & Liv Boeree tie the knot at Burning Man 25:25 | Introducing PokerNews' The Rundown 27:37 | Giveaway for a NAPT Gold Pass 30:09 | Winners from the PGT Bounty Blitz Series; Jeremy Becker crushes 31:06  | Chino Rheem claims a title 31:47 | Landon Tice binks Event #3 32:20 | Other winners include Sergio Aido, Jason Hickey & Sam Laskowitz   32:50 | Former Footballer Joshua Gebissa wins first-ever Triton ONE Main Event for $975,225 35:56 | Professional bass fisherman reels in RGPS Tunica Main Event title 38:09 | Liam Gannon ships first WSOP Circuit ring 40:49 | Kathy Liebert wins Venetian DeepStack Extravaganza event 42:37 | FLŸTE Clear Whey Protein 43:19 | Joey from Love is Blind 45:55 | New Vlogs on the Block – Papa Poker 48:50 | World Poker Tour Championship schedule