Maurice Hawkins Files Bankruptcy; Dodging $115K Poker Debt?

In the 962nd episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway, Mike Holtz, and Ben Ludlow are back to catch you up on all the latest in the poker world. That includes Daniel "Jungleman" Cates getting kicked off Hustler Casino Live (HCL), a $5-million live-streamed cash game pot, and David Peters getting called out by Dylan Linde over an outstanding debt. The crew also wraps up the U.S. Poker Open, including David Coleman winning the $25K finale and Brock Wilson topping the overall leaderboard to become the U.S. Poker Open champ! Finally, Chad goes one-on-one with Sorel Mizzi to discuss his amazing weight loss and body transformation, which was a part of a $300,000 prop bet with Bill Perkins. Mizzi opens up about his inspiration, life changes, and what he's up to now when it comes to poker. 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 01:32 | Jungleman gets kicked off HCL 05:31 | $5M pot Largest in Live Stream history 08:40 | David Peters called out by Dylan Linde 13:52 | Interview with Sorel Mizzi 27:00 | 888poker XL Series May 3-12 27:30 | David Coleman wins USPO final 28:20 | Brock Wilson named overall USPO champ 30:22 | Teaser – Art Parmann & Justin Young from Table 1 Podcast

In the 961st episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway, Mike Holtz, and Ben Ludlow are back for a special episode to discuss the recent Grand Jury verdict regarding The Lodge Card Club in Round Rock, Texas. Spoiler Alert: It was good news for Doug Polk and company as potential charges were dismissed, and seized funds and equipment will be returned. Not only that, the cardroom has plans to reopen as soon as possible. It was the best case outcome considering the situation, and the poker world, including co-owners Brad Owen and Andrew Neeme, celebrated en masse. There are still a lot of lingering questions as to what may come next, but the crew dives into it all in this episode. 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 00:28 | Charges dropped 02:28 | Doug Polk shares the good news 05:00 | Was it a witch hunt? 06:45 | The Lodge Card Club issues statement 07:45 | Another legal win for Texas poker 10:26 | Is this good long term? 11:00 | Poker community celebrates 15:30 | Brad Owen & Andrew Neeme 17:10 | WSOPC at Texas Card House 18:30 | Influencers & Live Stream

In the 960th episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway and Mike Holtz are joined by Maurice Hawkins, who finally took them up on their long-standing offer to come on the show and share his side of the story. Maurice discusses his recent Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing, his dealings with Randy Garcia, and why he feels unjustly targeted. The 24-time WSOP Circuit ring winner also touches upon the situation with Denise Pratt, his backing situation with Cody Stanford, family obligations, and much more. Things became heated at times over the course of the 40-minute uncut interview, but it marks the first time Maurice has come on the PokerNews Podcast to discuss the various allegations and judgment against him. A new PokerNews Podcast drops every Thursday at 8a PT / 11a ET / 4p UK time. Remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you do not miss an episode! Time Stamps *Time    Topic* 00:00 | Welcome to the show 00:35 | Maurice Hawkins joins the show 02:13 | Situation with Randy Garcia 06:27 | Cody Stanford backer situation 08:56 | Great year, but unable to pay 09:37 | Should it be considered scamming? 13:00 | Failing to live up to the agreement 17:30 | Is Maurice a legend? 20:35 | Could Maurice be a beloved player? 29:36 | Who is the victim? 34:35 | Final words

In the 959th episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway and Mike Holtz get together to discuss the recent bankruptcy filing of Maurice Hawkins. Is it to absolve himself from a six-figure poker debt due to Randy Garcia? According to a Voluntary Petition for Individuals Filing for Bankruptcy (Case 26-15116-EPK) obtained by PokerNews, Hawkins, through his attorney Michael A. Kaufman, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on Thursday, April 23 in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida. The filing came less than three weeks after Hawkins won the WSOP Circuit Elgin Event #3: $400 NLH for $17,419 and his record 24th ring, and despite Hawkins having already amassed $217,254 in 2026 tournament earnings according to The Hendon Mob. Plus, hear from Randy Garcia's attorney Rogen Chhabra, who has launched garnishment efforts against Maurice. 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 01:20 | Maurice Hawkins Files For Bankruptcy 16:40 | Attorney Rogen K. Chhabra

In the 958th episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway, Mike Holtz, and Ben Ludlow are back to talk about a poker mystery. How did Esther Taylor's 2022 WPT Wynn trophy end up on eBay without her knowledge? Chad actually brought it to her attention, and after some investigating, there are more questions than answers. Was the trophy stolen? Hear from Etay herself as she shares what she thinks happened. From there, they talk about WrestleMania weekend in Las Vegas, which included Jared Bleznick (AKA Blez) meeting WWE superstar The Miz and discussing a $1.5 million sports card. From there, it's a look back at online poker's Black Friday on its 15th anniversary, plans for the 2026 World Series of Poker (WSOP), a big win by poker photographer Katerina Lukina, and winners from the 2026 PGT U.S. Poker Open, including Brock Wilson and Joao Simao. Finally, Chad shares video highlights from his trip to the record-setting Irish Open in Dublin. Find out all about those stories and more in this week's episode of the PokerNews Podcast! 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 01:20 | Etay's trophy on eBay 05:08 | Hear what Etay has to say 08:00 | Missing poker memorabilia 10:38 | WrestleMania Weekend 10:53 | Blez meets Miz 12:47 | Black Friday 15th Anniversary 18:20 | US Poker Open winners 21:44 | Past US Poker Open champions 23:10 | Congrats to Katerina Lukina 25:25 | Plans for the 2026 WSOP 28:40 | Chad at the Irish Poker Open

In the 957th episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway, Mike Holtz, and Ben Ludlow are at Level 9 Studio in Las Vegas to sit down with TJ Reid, the recently-appointed Manager of the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Circuit.  Reid talks about his vision for the WSOP Circuit, upcoming plans, and how he'll help foster a better overall player experience. He offers a unique perspective as a player himself; in fact, he finished fourth in the WSOP Paradise $25K Super Main Event last December for $3,000,000. Speaking of which, Reid talks about that whole experience, including having a front-row seat to the infamous Eric Wasserson slowroll against Benny Glaser.   A new PokerNews Podcast drops every Thursday at 8a PT / 11a ET / 4p UK time. Remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you do not miss an episode! Time Stamps *Time    Topic* 00:00 | Welcome to the show 01:00 | TJ's WSOP opportunity 06:00 | WSOP's need for more faces 10:40 | What players should get excited about 12:50 | Coming back to Milwaukee? 15:10 | Hailing from Missouri 16:00 | Winning $3M at WSOPP 19:50 | How'd you celebrate? 20:30 | Eric Wasserson slowrolls Benny Glaser 26:35 | His first $25K tournament 27:54 | Follow TJ Reid

In the 956th episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway hosts his final show from the 2026 World Series of Poker Europe (WSOPE) in Prague, where he is joined by special guests Martin Kabrhel, Lexy Gavin-Mather, Dan "Jungleman" Cates, and Landon Tice. Find out what they all had to say about the 2026 WSOP Europe and more. Plus, "Jungleman" doesn't shy away from calling out scammers and sharing his thoughts on Maurice Hawkins! Finally, Calum Grant conducts a winner interview with the 2026 WSOP Main Event winner Marius Kudzmanas. A new PokerNews Podcast drops every day this week at approximately 8a PT / 11a ET / 4p UK time. Remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you do not miss an episode! Time Stamps *Time    Topic* 00:00 | Welcome to the show 00:50 | Martin Kabrhel 09:29 | Lexy Gavin-Mather 15:42 | Dan 'Jungleman' Cates 23:20 | Landon Tice 28:15 | Marius Kudzmanas Wins WSOPE Main Event

In the 955th episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway is joined by Mike Holtz and Ben Ludlow for a special episode devoted to the latest update in The Lodge saga. The popular poker room near Austin, Texas, was raided back on March 10, and authorities had a 30-day window, until April 9, to file for civil asset forfeiture. Despite not yet filing any criminal charges, authorities did file a document with the 480th Judicial District Court in Williamson County that explained why the state is holding on to over $2 million in assets. The future of The Lodge Card Club is uncertain now that the state can hold onto the money. But Thursday's outcome doesn't mean this is the end for the major poker club, nor does it ensure criminal charges will never be filed. The nine-page court document indicates the state is no longer pursuing money laundering allegations against the Texas card room and instead is focusing on the alleged illegal gambling aspect. What does this mean for the future of poker in Texas? There may be some clues in the court documents, which the crew explores in full. A new PokerNews Podcast drops every day this week at approximately 8a PT / 11a ET / 4p UK time. Remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you do not miss an episode! Time Stamps *Time    Topic* 00:00 | Welcome to the show 00:42 | Authorities file before deadline 03:00 | Focus on illegal gambling; money laundering dropped 05:30 | The Texas poker model under fire? 12:00 | Raking tournaments? 15:30 | Isn't Texas supposed to be land of the free? 19:00 | Where did the money come from? 21:27 | Could a settlement be in store? 23:17 | What are economic benefits?

In the 954th episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway is at the 2026 World Series of Poker Europe (WSOPE) in Prague, where he is joined by special guest cohost Josh Arieh, the 2021 WSOP Player of the Year. Together, they discuss the enraged player who was disqualified deep in the €5,300 PLO European Championship, players who were upset on the bubble of that tournament when a chip leader gave the short-stacked big blind a walk, and recent bracelet winners such as Ole Schemion, Mike Leah, and Pedro Faustino. Arieh then talks about his deep run in the WSOP Europe Main Event, which ended in no small part due to his pocket aces getting cracked on the river. He also shares his thoughts on Prague, having the support of his wife, the Poker Hall of Fame, and playing golf with Daniel Negreanu. Finally, Chad tells you a bit about PokerNews' MyPlayers feature and catches up with 2023 WSOP Player of the Year Ian Matakis, who made the trip from Minnesota over to Prague. Will he be going for POY again?  A new PokerNews Podcast drops every day this week at approximately 8a PT / 11a ET / 4p UK time. Remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you do not miss an episode! Time Stamps *Time    Topic* 00:00 | Welcome To The Show 00:46 | Player Gets DQ'ed From WSOPE 06:47 | PLO Bubble Controversy 09:47 | Arieh's Deep Main Event Run 20:32 | Recent Bracelet Winners 25:07 | Living In Las Vegas

In the 953rd episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway is at the 2026 World Series of Poker Europe (WSOPE) in Prague, where he is joined by special guest cohost Shaun Deeb, who talked about losing to quads twice when heads up for a gold bracelet. He then talks about his passion for the Player of the Year race, responds to Nick Palma's poor sportsmanship comments, and shares his thoughts on the controversial Maurice Hawkins and the WSOP Circuit. Deeb also talks about whether or not he'd encourage his children to play poker, playing the National Heads-Up Poker Championship, coaching Hellmuth's sons, and why he thinks he'll ultimately surpass Phil Hellmuth atop the all-time bracelet list. Finally, Deeb opens up about turning 40 and becoming eligible for the Poker Hall of Fame. Does he think he should get in? Deeb has never been one to shy away from sharing his thoughts, and that proved true in this in-depth interview from the 2026 WSOP Europe. A new PokerNews Podcast drops every day this week at approximately 8a PT / 11a ET / 4p UK time. Remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you do not miss an episode! Time Stamps00:00 Welcome to the show 01:50 Losing to quads… twice! 05:31 Going for WSOP Player of the Year 06:08 How does Prague compare to Rozvadov? 07:40 Responding to Nick Palma's comments 09:57 Allen Kessler prop bet 11:44 Thoughts on Maurice Hawkins 16:13 Deeb for Poker Hall of Fame 19:30 Would you encourage your kids to play poker? 24:04 What was your go-to game as a kid? 27:16 Will you get more bracelets than Hellmuth? 28:41 National Heads-Up Poker Championship 29:30 Playing action Kevin Pollak