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My friend (and editor-in-chief of this website), Brad Willis, and I were talking about me being a poker player. Brad and I have shared over 15 years in this game, and we’ve both ping-ponged across the line between player and industry participant.

I was saying that after leaving full-time employment as a poker industry professional, I felt the need to become a student of thegame again if I wanted to compete in the current era.

“Adapt or die, I suppose,” he said. Brad Willis, he gets to the core of the matter quickly.

Now, it’s not a question of literally dying – not yet, anyway. I turned 65 two months ago. Many people my age choose to take whatever they’ve learned of the world, and get by on that for their remaining years. A few generations ago, when my age group was largely put out to pasture, that worked well. You weren’t expected to do much: play with the grandkids, tell stories of the old days. Those are both crucially important, but they don’t require mental growth.

The poker analogy is taking the attitude that, “It worked for me in 2007, so it’s still fine 15 years later.”

But that’s not me (or a lot of my generation, to be fair). So when Brad suggested, “Adapt or die,” I took that to mean exactly what I am feeling. Continue learning, reinvent yourself, push your limits. Father Time will eventually win, as he always does. But as Dylan Thomas reminds us, you can rage at the dying of the light.

Become the grasshopper

When I became serious about becoming a better poker player, I did two things. First, I joined the Hand History Lounge. It’s a group of folks who study poker, and critique hands that members played. I learn both by having my hands reviewed, and providing reviews to others.

Then I hired a poker coach, specifically Andrew Brokos. After reading his books, and listening to his podcasts, I was persuaded that he has the right mix of poker theory smarts and pedagogical technique to make me a stronger player.

Andrew’s lessons are indeed having an effect, and I’m a better poker player for them. But as I alluded to above, improving at poker is just one of the goals – the journey really is the destination. In our first coaching call, he said, “We may be moving you out of your comfort zone at times.”

I thought about that, and replied, “Moving out of your comfort zone is where growth happens, right?”

I could hear him smile down the Skype line.

So, what have you learned?

As I talked with Andrew, watched his teaching material, and absorbed as much as I could from the Hand History Lounge and other sources, I noted two interesting changes in the entire conversation.

New words: The vocabulary is far richer than when I last studied the game seriously (let’s say the early noughts). I’m pretty sure the concept of “range” wasn’t in general usage, and it was common to hear expert poker commentators say things such as, “I put him on a pair, like 9’s or 10’s.”  Now, I routinely hear people at the table say, “I put you on a range of flush draws and middling pairs.”

Not only do we now put our opponents on a range of hands, but we put ourselves on a range of hands. This is another radical shift from the way we thought about poker 20 years ago. Our vocabulary talks about how our range of hands interacts with the villain’s range of hands. We have the “range advantage,” but they might have the “nuts advantage.”

A gold standard: Until the dawn of solvers and poker-playing AI engines, everything anybody taught about poker (yes, including me) was wrapped in a cloud of “IMHO.” Maybe we didn’t say it that way, but we had no proof that what we were saying was correct. We gave a lot of leeway to “playing styles,” and similar fuzzy concepts.

But now, we have what can be reasonably described as “correct answers.” And the semantics of our discussions reflect this. People say, “Am I allowed to bet here?” Which is shorthand for, “Would a solver, in this situation, bet?” We know that the rules of the game permit betting, but the conversation has shifted to what a solver would do.

You hear the smart podcast hosts say things such as, “Well, you’ll see some 3-betting.” Which means, “The solvers are 3-betting sometimes.” And my absolute favorite: “It’s a mix.” Meaning, solvers split their decision between multiple actions in this spot. But again, note the semantics: “It’s a mix.” Not, “I sometimes raise and sometimes fold.” That is, there is a gold standard that we can reference.

What does this mean for me?

I find it pleasing that poker has risen to a level of academic rigor similar to other pursuits I’ve had in life. I have a graduate degree in electrical engineering, and spent 25 years programming computers for a living. Computers are notoriously unforgiving about “right” versus “wrong.” Thus, it tickles me that we can now say, “Folding is better than calling in this spot,” with a high degree of certainty.

There’s still plenty of windage in this game, mostly because human players don’t play near as well as computers do. So to maximize your profit, you need to exploit those errors. But to exploit them, you need to know what they are. All this learning I’m doing is helping me recognize and exploit the errors that my human opponents are making.

I’m tougher now

There are not a lot of things at which I’m better now than I was ten years ago, but playing poker is one of them. Another is playing double bass and leading a bluegrass band, but that’s a discussion for a different website.

So yeah, Brad – I’m adapting. Something will eventually kill me, but I shall not go gentle.

What happens when your passion becomes your profession?

Many don’t start off as professional poker players. In fact, most of us get our introduction to poker through casual games with friends or family, where it’s all about having fun. That’s how my journey began. But the road from playing for fun to competing at high stakes doesn’t happen overnight. It takes preparation, dedication, a love for the game, and a willingness to invest the time and energy needed to master it.

For me, a significant part of my early preparation involved spending long nights in New York City’s card rooms. I spent those hours learning the intricacies of the game, chatting strategy with friends, and crafting my own mental playbook. However, in many ways, the groundwork for that life had been laid long before I ever played a hand of poker.

That’s because, before I ever took a seat at a poker table, I was a passionate gamer.

Gamers and Competitors

My gaming background was built on strategy games, with Warcraft II being one of my favorites. I was deeply driven to compete at a high level, though I never made it to the top ranks. This was before the esports boom, but even back then, it was clear that competitive gaming shared a lot of similarities with poker.

Just like poker, you need to understand the intricacies of the game. You have to know your options, identify optimal strategies, and understand how your opponents might counter them—and how you can counter back. There’s also the psychological aspect—predicting what your opponent is thinking and trying to exploit any weaknesses or blind spots they might have.

Moreover, just like in poker, gaming teaches you how to deal with pressure and how to cope with losses. Learning to bounce back after losing is essential, whether you’re in a poker tournament or playing a competitive game.

An Eye-Opening Experience: The Trip with ElkY

My first real exposure to esports came in 2012 when I traveled to Seoul, Korea, with Bertrand “ElkY” Grospellier, a fellow PokerStars Team Pro at the time.

ElkY was famous in the poker world, but in Korea, he was a legend in the Starcraft community. He was one of the first non-Koreans to move to Korea and play Starcraft professionally, and to this day, many people recognize him more for his esports achievements than for his poker career.

During our trip, ElkY took me to a Starcraft event held in a massive stadium with roaring crowds watching the live games. It opened my eyes to the possibilities within esports, and from then on, I began noticing esports events growing exponentially, both in the US and around the world.

A Tough Question and a New Venture

Around the same time, I began to reflect on my future in poker. I asked myself a tough question: "Do I want to still be playing poker for a living when I’m 50 or 60?" The answer was clear to me: no.

I’d always dreamed of exploring the world of business, and after my contract with PokerStars ended in 2016, that’s exactly what I did. Together with my friend from the PokerStars Team Pro days, Luca Pagano, we launched our own esports team—Qlash.

Building Something Special

Our first focus was on Hearthstone, a strategic two-player card game that shared some similarities with poker. From there, we expanded into more traditional games like League of Legends, Counter-Strike, and mobile games to engage a wider range of players and fans.

Our aim was simple: build a strong community and organize our own events. We even created an app where fans could compete. To make our project even more exciting, we brought in famous poker names like Daniel Negreanu, Phil Hellmuth, and Jeff Gross to invest in the team.

We also built the Qlash House, a training facility in Treviso, Italy, where players could train, compete, stream, and more.

Fostering Growth Beyond Gaming Skills

Luca and I weren’t able to help the team improve at their games—they were already far better than us in that regard—but we focused on creating an environment that fostered growth. We emphasized lessons we’d learned from poker, such as the importance of diet, exercise, and staying physically fit. We also shared insights into managing the emotional highs and lows that come with being a professional, where winning and losing are the only two outcomes.

The Common Threads Between Poker and Esports

I believe one reason poker became so popular is the perfect balance between luck and skill. Skill is crucial, but luck still plays a significant role, and that’s part of what makes poker so exciting.

In contrast, games like chess or Starcraft II rely far less on luck. If I played against the best in either game, I’d likely never win. While these high-level games are fascinating, they don’t have the same appeal for gambling as poker does.

There are certainly areas where poker and esports overlap, but they are also very different in many ways. However, there are two things they both share that anyone entering either field should understand:

1. Both require a lot of hard work, despite their appearance as "just games."

2. Everyone—from your friends to your parents—will assume you’re just playing games all day, but it’s a job that demands dedication and discipline.

In the end, turning a hobby into a career doesn’t mean you have to lose the enjoyment that initially drew you to the game, but it does mean you’ll have to put in the effort. That’s what transforms it into a profession.

The question of whether poker is a sport has long been debated, and answering it is far from simple. It often depends on whom you ask. In this article, we’ll argue that poker can be considered a sport based on its competitive nature and the mental skills required—similar to many other recognized sports.

So, Is Poker a Sport?

Sport is generally defined as a competitive activity requiring skill, often for entertainment purposes. By this definition, poker clearly fits the bill.

Poker is not just a game of chance; it requires significant skill and strategy. Whether you're playing in a casual home game or at a high-stakes casino table, success depends largely on the player's knowledge, experience, and decision-making abilities. While some casino games, like baccarat, rely almost entirely on luck, poker is deeply rooted in the players' expertise.

Luck does play a part in poker—just as it does in many sports. Think of a lucky bounce in soccer or a fortunate deflection in basketball. Even the most skilled athletes occasionally rely on luck to help them out. The same applies to poker. The best players consistently outperform their opponents, but they may still be subject to bad beats or fortunate cards.

Moreover, poker is an incredibly popular spectator sport, with millions tuning into events like the World Series of Poker (WSOP). The level of competition and entertainment is unparalleled, with the skill of the players taking center stage.

Poker as a "Mind Game"

Some argue that poker isn’t a sport due to its lack of physical exertion. But, when you consider sports like pool, snooker, and darts, which are all recognized as sports despite their minimal physical activity, poker seems to fit comfortably within that category.

Poker is a game of mental skill and concentration. The top players don’t need an athletic physique, but they do require exceptional cognitive abilities. Similar to chess, poker demands deep strategic thinking, the ability to read opponents, and the discipline to maintain focus for hours on end.

Poker, like chess, can be mentally exhausting and requires significant preparation and focus to succeed. The mental challenges faced by poker players are as rigorous as those of any other mind sport.

The Entertainment Factor

At its core, people watch sports for entertainment. Whether it’s soccer, tennis, or golf, fans tune in because they want to be entertained by the competition. Poker, particularly high-stakes tournaments, delivers this entertainment in abundance.

When you watch elite players compete for millions of dollars at the WSOP, the drama, tension, and high stakes are palpable. The pressure is similar to that faced by athletes in other sports, making poker just as thrilling to watch. The desire to become the best in the world is shared by poker players, just as it is by those in traditional sports.

Our Verdict: Is Poker a Sport?

Without getting bogged down in semantics, poker undeniably qualifies as a sport, or at the very least, a "mind sport." It’s skillful, competitive, and highly entertaining. Whether or not you consider it a traditional sport, poker’s mental rigor, strategic depth, and entertainment value make it just as worthy of attention as any other competitive activity.

In the end, the debate may never be completely settled, but one thing is clear: poker has earned its place among the greatest competitive games on the planet.

Memorable poker moments and streamed games are inseparable, with highlights like Brad Booth stacking chips against Phil Ivey, Tom Dwan making a bold move with nine-high, and Gus Hansen making quads against Daniel Negreanu. The recent hand between Eric Persson and Patrik Antonius has now earned its place among these all-time great moments, breaking the record for the largest pot in U.S. televised poker history.

Hand Breakdown: Draw vs. Draw for It All

If you haven’t seen the hand yet, here’s a quick breakdown:

Playing $1,000/$2,000 blinds with a $2,000 ante, Eric Persson opened to $7,000 with Qh9h from the hijack. Rob Yong called with Ac2c on the button. Patrik Antonius, in the small blind, raised to $30,000 with AhKh. Persson called, and Yong joined.

The flop came 3h3c8h, giving both Persson and Antonius flush draws. Antonius bet $40,000, and Persson quickly raised to $140,000. Yong folded, and Antonius, holding an overpair and a flush draw, three-bet to $250,000. Persson called, setting up a massive pot.

Now, with nearly $600,000 in the pot, the turn brought the As. Antonius, with the ace-high flush, led out for $150,000. Persson, undeterred by the card, moved all-in for $692,000. Antonius called after a brief moment of contemplation, revealing he had the ace-high flush. Persson, with only a flush draw, was drawing dead.

The pot reached a staggering $1,978,000, the largest in U.S. televised poker history. Despite Persson’s aggressive play, Antonius’ strong hand prevailed.

The Poker Community Reacts

While the hand generated immense excitement, some questioned its authenticity, citing "energy" at the table and conspiracy theories. However, it's crucial to note that hands of this magnitude and excitement happen regularly in high-stakes private games. The legitimacy of the hand should not be doubted, and any unfounded claims only hurt the poker community.

As Persson aptly put it, "Welcome to the big leagues, kid."

Despite the loss, Persson, ever the showman, will undoubtedly bounce back, and this hand will go down in history as one of the most exciting moments in televised poker.

Veteran actor and comedian Jason Alexander is set to host his 21st annual celebrity poker tournament in late March to benefit the WeSPARK Cancer Support Network. Alexander, best known for his role as George Costanza on Seinfeld and a recreational poker player who has participated in the WSOP Main Event, will once again chair the WeSPARK fundraiser.

Event Details

This year’s charity event will take place on Sunday, March 26, 2023, at the Woodland Hills Country Club in Los Angeles. The tournament is open to the public and features a $150 entry fee. Prizes will be awarded to the top finishers, along with a trophy for the winner.

Supporting WeSPARK Cancer Support Center

The WeSPARK Cancer Support Center provides vital secondary support services for cancer survivors and their families. According to its mission statement, the center works to enhance the quality of life for cancer patients, survivors, and their loved ones. WeSPARK offers free programs designed to alleviate the physical and emotional side effects of a cancer diagnosis, as well as a broad range of wellness services. The charity was founded in 2001 by actress Wendie Jo Sperber (Back to the Future, Bosom Buddies) after she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Sperber passed away in 2005 after an eight-year battle with the disease.

Celebrity Participation

Alexander’s annual poker tournament has become a staple of Hollywood’s charity events, drawing numerous celebrities from the entertainment industry each year. Among the poker personalities joining the event is Yosh Nakano, a well-known figure in the L.A. poker scene, who serves on WeSPARK’s Celebrity and Event Committee. Veteran poker commentator Norman Chad is also scheduled to attend this year.

Other celebrities expected at the 2023 event include Nancy Allen, Yancey Arias, Patrika Darbo, Tony Denison, Tom Everett Scott, Gina Hecht, Samm Levine, Don Most, Erin Murphy, Erik Palladino, Mimi Rogers, J.K. Simmons, and Mark L. Walberg.

How to Get Involved

For more information about the event or to make a donation, visit the official WeSPARK event page at https://wespark.org/events-fundraisers/jason-alexander-poker-tournament/. The site also offers online donation options for those who wish to support WeSPARK but are unable to attend the event in person.

Shahram "Shawn" Sheikhan, a controversial figure from the original mid-2000s poker boom, is facing formal sentencing after reaching a plea deal with federal authorities on drug distribution charges. Sheikhan, known for his high-profile poker appearances, pled guilty in June 2022 for his involvement in operating an unlicensed cannabis distribution business in Southern California. His sentencing is set for April 7, 2023.

Poker Fame and Legal Trouble

Sheikhan rose to poker fame in 2005, when he made the final two tables of the World Series of Poker (WSOP) main event. He was involved in an infamous verbal exchange with Mike "The Mouth" Matusow, which added to his notoriety. Sheikhan finished in 11th place, earning $600,000, which remains his career-best score. Despite this success, Sheikhan’s poker career has been overshadowed by legal issues.

In the years following, Sheikhan played in the NBC Heads-Up Poker Championship and won a special "Trash Talkers" edition of Poker After Dark, earning a total of $270,000 across these appearances. However, his poker fame was followed by involvement in illegal activities.

Cannabis Distribution Charges

In 2022, Sheikhan pled guilty for his role in running "Cannaland," an unlicensed cannabis business operating from 2019 to 2022. The operation supplied cannabis products to other unlicensed dispensaries, particularly around San Diego. Federal agents raided the Spring Valley, California location in April 2021, where they seized over 3,000 pounds of marijuana worth more than $6 million. The authorities also found five firearms and discovered that Sheikhan and his co-defendant, Sabriana Williams, coordinated the procurement of firearms for security guards at the dispensary.

The investigation also uncovered a separate incident involving the seizure of more than 100 pounds of unlicensed marijuana. Together, the pair distributed over 6,600 pounds (3,000 kilograms) of cannabis products during the course of their operation.

Financial Consequences

During the investigation, authorities also discovered $109,000 in cash linked to Sheikhan, which was forfeited as part of his plea deal. As a part of the agreement, Sheikhan faces a fine of at least $5 million in addition to the possibility of a prison sentence. The charge of conspiracy to distribute marijuana carries a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison, with a mandatory minimum sentence of five years.

Delayed Sentencing

Sheikhan was originally scheduled for sentencing on February 3, 2023, but his legal team, the prestigious Las Vegas law firm Chesnoff and Schonfeld, successfully negotiated for a delay until April. The delay was granted due to Sheikhan and his mother's health issues. This additional time also allows for further objections to be raised concerning the court’s pre-sentencing investigation.

A Complicated Legal History

Sheikhan’s legal history is as complex as his poker career. In 1995, he was convicted of misdemeanor sexual battery on a child under 18 and served nine months in prison. In 2007, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security attempted to deport Sheikhan due to his criminal conviction, but his attorneys successfully fought the deportation, allowing him to remain in the U.S. as a resident alien.

In addition to his poker pursuits, Sheikhan has operated tattoo parlors and tobacco outlets in the Las Vegas area. He also made a brief return to poker during the 2022 WSOP, where he made Day 2 of the main event but did not cash.

Jonathan Van Fleet, known in the poker community as "Apestyles," was hit with a crushing blow last week when his YouTube channel was mysteriously deleted. Van Fleet, who had spent years building a loyal subscriber base, described the loss as “one of the worst bad beats” he's faced in a while.

Despite weeks of silence from YouTube, Van Fleet has decided to move forward and start over from scratch.

A Devastating Loss

The deletion of Van Fleet's channel came without explanation, leaving him bewildered. In an attempt to recover his account, he reached out via Twitter to the Team YouTube account. While he was given some standard recovery instructions, following them did not restore his channel. The main issue, according to Van Fleet, was the lack of direct communication with a human representative, something increasingly common with major content platforms.

“It makes me angry that these massive content corporations don’t scale their customer service teams as they grow,” he said. His frustration was compounded by how much he cared about the channel’s loss. “What the f-ck? Why did my educational channel get deleted?” he wondered.

Is It a Mistake or a Targeted Attack?

The big question that’s been haunting Van Fleet is whether his channel’s deletion was the result of an automated error or if he was intentionally targeted by YouTube. Given the timing, when Van Fleet had been planning to ramp up his content with more online gameplay, coaching tutorials, and vlogs from tournament stops, the loss couldn’t have come at a worse time.

While starting a new channel is an option, Van Fleet admits that doing so feels like conceding defeat. The thought of rebuilding his subscriber base, re-uploading content, and regaining the channel's former momentum is daunting. With about 40 to 50 videos and hundreds of hours of content, starting from scratch is no small feat.

No Bright Side

After struggling to find a way to recover the account, Van Fleet has accepted that it may be lost for good. “There’s no bright side to this,” he admitted. With his original videos safely stored on an offline hard drive, Van Fleet made the tough decision to create a new YouTube channel.

A New Beginning

To mark the beginning of this new chapter, Van Fleet announced the launch of his new YouTube channel. To celebrate, he’s hosting a giveaway for a 2% freeroll on his upcoming trip to the Triton Super High Roller Series in Vietnam. For details on how to enter, fans can head to Van Fleet’s Twitter.

The poker world's elite have gathered in Hoi An, Vietnam, for the start of the Triton Super High Roller Series (SHRS) Season Two, which kicks off on March 1st at the Hoiana Resort & Golf.

This marks the third leg of the Triton SHRS, bringing together the best poker players from around the globe to compete in a series of high-stakes events. The festival opens with the GG Super Millions Live, a two-day tournament featuring a $25K USD buy-in. From there, the action heats up with a variety of exciting formats, including Mystery Bounty, Short Deck events, and multiple one-day turbo tournaments. The Main Event promises to be a highlight, with a massive $100K buy-in for the No Limit Hold 'Em tournament.

Event Schedule

The full event schedule, including tournament structures, is available here.

Chidwick Leads the Race for Player of the Year

As the tournament begins, Stephen Chidwick continues to lead the race for Player of the Year with 1,904 points, comfortably ahead of second-place Sam Greenwood, who has 1,543 points. Rounding out the top five are Jason Koon, Mikita Badziakouski, and Seth Davies.

Chidwick will look to defend his lead in what is shaping up to be a fiercely competitive field. Among the confirmed players are some of the biggest names in the game, including Michael Addamo, Dan Smith, Isaac Haxton, Phil Ivey, Fedor Holz, and Nick Petrangelo.

New Faces and Rising Stars

A newcomer to the Triton SHRS, Eliot Hudon, will look to build on his recent success at the WPT World Championship and make a strong showing in Vietnam.

Additionally, Phil Nagy’s ACR Eleven players will be on hand, adding yet another layer of excitement to this high-stakes event. With a field stacked with top-tier talent, this stop in the Triton Super High Roller Series is sure to be one for the books.

As always, this tournament is not for the faint of heart—only the bravest will step up to the plate in this elite series of events.

The push for online poker legalization in Indiana has hit a major roadblock. House Bill 1536, which aimed to expand casino-style iGaming in the state, has expired in committee, effectively ending the chances of online poker being legalized in Indiana for the remainder of 2023. The bill, a broad measure to legalize online gaming, failed to receive a vote or any substantive consideration before a House committee, putting a halt to progress for this year.

Many industry experts had been hopeful that HB 1536 could make headway, especially with the bill's primary sponsor, State Representative Ethan Manning, now serving as the chair of the Public Policy committee to which the bill was assigned. However, despite these initial optimistic views, the measure quickly fizzled out without serious momentum.

Rep. Manning had initially announced the bill's introduction in December, signaling a possible breakthrough for iGaming legislation in Indiana. However, after a delayed introduction in late January, HB 1536 never gained the traction needed to move forward. The bill was pushed aside, overshadowed by other legislative priorities, and was not discussed during committee sessions that focused on new legislative matters.

Indiana's State Senate committee also passed the deadline to consider new bills on Thursday, and without any action on iGaming legislation, the hopes for online casinos and poker in the state are now pushed to at least 2024.

Rep. Manning acknowledged the struggle, saying that there is a significant need for better public and legislative education on the benefits of iGaming. He also mentioned that state studies on the topic have been conflicting, especially regarding concerns that online casinos might negatively affect Indiana’s land-based casino industry. Manning pointed to a favorable study conducted by the Indiana Gaming Commission that suggested no major threat to land-based casinos from iGaming, but noted that the study's findings haven't been fully embraced by the fiscal side of the legislature.

“There’s a disconnect there,” Manning remarked, referring to the gap between the positive iGaming report and the hesitancy within the General Assembly. “We need to work on that and figure out why the report’s not being pushed through onto the fiscal side. I think there’s some concern about the source of the data that was used.”

With iGaming measures sidelined for now, Indiana will have to wait until 2024 for any further attempts to bring online poker and casinos to the state.

Andrew Neeme, popular vlogger and part-owner of The Lodge Poker Club, recently found himself playing in some of the biggest live-streamed games of his career. The occasion? The grand reopening of the Lodge Poker Club’s live stream series in Round Rock, Texas, featuring jaw-dropping $50/100 games.

A few years ago, Neeme was grinding $1/2 games in Las Vegas — a far cry from the nosebleeds he’s now part of. Known for his introspective and articulate approach to poker, Neeme gave us a glimpse into the mindset of a player facing stakes ten times larger than his typical game.

I had the chance to ask Andrew a few questions about his experience, and his thoughtful responses shed light on what it’s like to step up to these massive pots.

LJ: "What was your first reaction when you were invited to play a game of that size? Was it an immediate 'Yes,' or did you have to work yourself up to it?"

AN: "It was a mixed bag. Excitement with a bit of nerves. But it was a 'Yes' for sure. We have an incredibly professional staff at The Lodge, and Brad, Doug, and I are the faces of the place — I couldn't let the team down. There was no real reason to skip it, even though the games were huge. Plus, there are ways to manage the risk in such a setting."

LJ: "Taking on backers seems like an obvious thing to do, given the size of the game. But personally, I've always found it difficult. If I lose my own money, so be it, but losing Other People's Money is much more painful. How was it for you, and did that inform your play much?"

AN: "I wouldn’t sell action to anyone who doesn’t get the variance of poker. It’s a tough thing, but my record is solid, and I’ve more often sent winnings than collected from backers. When I sell action, it’s always to poker players who understand the risk. That said, it doesn’t change how I play. They invest in my game, so I try to be myself — win or lose."

LJ: "We often hear about poker players becoming numb to the money involved. A $1,500 pot doesn’t raise an eyebrow, but it’s a month’s rent in many places. You were playing pots worth the price of a small condo. Did you experience cognitive dissonance, or did you quickly focus on the game?"

AN: "It’s easier to focus once you're locked into a hand. For instance, when Robbi Jade Lew open-shoved $20k with J4o, I was next to act with AKo. You start thinking through all the possibilities and just go into poker mode. But yeah, sitting at these stakes can be nerve-wracking, especially when you’re trying to bluff massive pots and keep a straight face!"

LJ: "It must’ve been gratifying to win big, especially knowing your backers would benefit. How did you feel once the game ended?"

AN: "After the first $50/100 game, I felt this massive release of pressure. We were playing some seriously big pots, with straddles galore. I was stuck $10k early on, but managed to end up with a small five-figure win. By the time I had my biggest win on the third night, it was surreal. Playing with Jungleman at the table all night and coming away with such a massive win was something I’ll never forget."

LJ: "Did this experience make you want to go back for more, or did it show you that the nosebleeds aren't for you?"

AN: "We’ll be back for more. 'Expansion always, in all ways.' – Ryan Serhant." [Editor’s note: Quoted verbatim from Andrew. We couldn't have made that up.]

LJ: "Any random musings you haven’t touched on?"

AN: "I got lucky in some spots: set over set, turned nut straight vs lower straight. It’s crazy how close you are to either a massive victory or total pain. One side of the line, you’re a hero; the other, you’re questioning everything. That’s poker — especially in high-stakes environments."

The France Poker Series (FPS) is officially back — and bigger than ever.
PokerStars announced today that the popular regional tour will return in 2025 with five confirmed stops across France and Belgium. This year’s schedule features a mix of classic venues and exciting new destinations, along with boosted guarantees and expanded qualifiers.

🗓️ FPS 2025 Schedule

• FPS Monte Carlo – Sporting Monte Carlo, April 26–30

• FPS Namur – Circus Casino Resort Namur, May 12–21

• FPS Paris – Stade Jean Bouin, July 15–23

• FPS Aix-les-Bains – Casino Grand Cercle, Sept 29–Oct 8

• FPS Aix-en-Provence – Pasino Grand, Nov 10–19

Each stop will feature:

• Main Event (€1,100 buy-in)

• High Roller (€2,200 buy-in)

🎟️ Online Satellites & Prize Packages

PokerStars will host online satellites ahead of each event, with two types of prizes:

• Seat Only: €1,100 value

• Seat + Expenses Package: €1,500 total value

🆕 What’s New in 2025?

• 🏆 FPS Namur will coincide with the Belgian Poker Challenge, featuring a €1M guaranteed prize pool across all events.

• 🏟️ FPS Paris will be held entirely at the Stade Jean Bouin, a prestigious rugby stadium — and will also offer a €1M prize pool for its Main Event.

The World Series of Poker season kicks off with a bang.
GGPoker has officially announced the full schedule for the 2025 WSOP Spring Circuit, featuring a guaranteed prize pool of over $100 million across dozens of events. The series runs from March 5 to March 28 and includes 18 official WSOP Gold Ring events.

🏆 Key Highlights

• Main Event ($525 Buy-In):
  With a massive $5 million guarantee, this flagship event is expected to draw thousands of entrants from around the globe.

• Notable Gold Ring Events:

  • #2 Secret Bounty – $210 buy-in

  • #7 BIG 25 Mystery Bounty – $25 buy-in

  • #11 GGMasters NLH Circuit Championship – $1,050 buy-in

  • #12 Super MILLION$ High Rollers NLH – $10,300 buy-in

All 18 WSOP Ring winners will earn more than just gold — they’ll receive:

• A seat in the $1M WSOP Tournament of Champions this summer in Las Vegas

• A $1,500 ticket to the WSOP Online Millionaire Maker

🎁 Bonus Action: $300K GG x WSOP Giftbox

To celebrate the series, GGPoker is launching the GG x WSOP Giftbox, a special March-only promo offering $300,000 in leaderboard prizes. Players earn points by participating in WSOP Spring Circuit events and other GGPoker tournaments throughout the month.

He's officially back.
After a long break from the felt, German poker pro Phillipp Gruissem made a thunderous return by taking down the prestigious GGPoker Masters Overlay Edition on Tuesday, pocketing a staggering $806,385 for the win.

🔥 Heads-Up Heroics

Gruissem faced off against Brazil’s Daniel de Freitas in an intense heads-up battle. The final hand saw a dramatic twist, with Gruissem spiking a lucky turn card to seize victory and seal his comeback in style.

This win signals Gruissem’s full return to the high-stakes poker scene, following time away from the game. The German star had been relatively quiet in recent years but now rejoins the ranks of elite tournament players with a major title under his belt.

🎉 Record-Breaking Turnout

Celebrating its third anniversary, the 2025 GGMasters Overlay Edition shattered participation records, pulling in a mind-blowing 64,622 total entrants. Much of the field came via satellites, promotions, and giveaways, reinforcing GGPoker’s ability to draw players from every corner of the globe.

🏆 Final Table Payouts

1. Phillipp Gruissem (Germany) – $806,385

2. Daniel de Freitas “GuGaGi” (Brazil) – $572,777

3. Eduardo Manga “odraudeagnam” (Brazil) – $421,418

4. “Aw4r3” (Andorra) – $310,972

5. “4StrongManAllNP” (Poland) – $230,685

6. “KrBanker” (Japan) – $170,312

7. Franco Spitale (Argentina) – $127,472

8. Thom Goldfinger “SopaPaNois” (Brazil) – $96,169

9. “RiccoBambino” – $71,586

A new push to legalize sports betting in Kentucky is underway — but without the inclusion of online poker or daily fantasy sports (DFS).

House Bill 551, introduced by Republican Representative Michael Meredith, is the latest effort to expand gaming in the Bluegrass State. Unlike its predecessor proposals, HB 551 excludes online poker and DFS, confirming earlier reports that those provisions have been dropped to improve the bill’s chances of passing.

🎯 Focus Shift: Sports Betting Only

In a written statement, Rep. Meredith emphasized that Kentuckians are already gambling, often through illegal offshore websites, bookies, or by crossing state lines to neighboring states with legalized markets. The new bill seeks to capture that revenue and regulate the industry more effectively.

“We’re losing potential revenue to illegal, unregulated offshore gaming entities,” Meredith said.

Under HB 551, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission would oversee the state’s legal sports betting operations. The Commission already regulates horse racing — currently the only form of sports wagering legally allowed in Kentucky.

🔄 Why Online Poker and DFS Were Removed

Meredith made it clear: online poker and DFS had to be cut for HB 551 to stand a chance in the legislature. Previous bills that included broader gaming expansions failed to gain traction, particularly in the Republican-controlled Senate.

“Taking out the online poker, taking out the fantasy — we did those to try to appeal over on the other side,” Meredith told Lex18 News.

🗳️ Challenges Ahead

HB 551 faces tough odds, especially since it's being introduced in an odd-numbered year, which imposes higher vote thresholds for passage. However, Meredith remains optimistic.

“I do feel really good about it,” he said. “We picked up some votes in the Senate.”

A Call to Action for the Poker Industry

The future of poker may hinge on how we respond to a growing and deeply dangerous threat: Real-Time Assistance (RTA).

Most poker players today are familiar with the software tools used to "solve" no-limit hold'em hands—PioSolver, GTOWizard, and others. These tools are powerful, educational, and in the right context, valuable for studying the game. But when used in real time during play, they become dangerous weapons.

🚨 RTA: An Existential Threat

RTA has already wreaked havoc on the online poker world:

• GGPoker refunded $1.2 million to over 4,000 players after uncovering widespread RTA usage.

• Top pros have been banned from major tours such as PokerGO after being linked to RTA-based cheating.

And now, the issue is bleeding into the live poker scene.

Recently, a player at the Bellagio was reportedly caught using a tool—likely GTOWizard—during a live cash game. Despite being directly informed, a Bellagio floorperson astonishingly claimed the behavior was permitted. This represents a systemic failure, not just an individual one.

😡 Why This Should Terrify the Poker Community

If RTA becomes normalized in live settings, poker risks losing its soul. The game of reads, adaptation, and human edge could devolve into little more than an app race. If we allow digital crutches to infiltrate the felt, what separates poker from a video game with money on the line?

🛠️ A Realistic Path Forward: Involve the TDA

Here's a simple but critical proposal:

Get the Poker Tournament Directors Association (TDA) to explicitly ban the use of RTA tools in live poker tournaments.

The TDA has already brought consistency and credibility to tournament poker over the last two decades. Its rules are trusted, respected, and quoted daily. By getting a clear anti-RTA rule added to the TDA rulebook, we:

• Set a standardized protocol for tournament poker globally.

• Establish precedent and cultural pressure that will influence cash game rules as well.

• Create a framework for enforcement and disqualification.

Even if the TDA rules aren’t binding on cash games, there’s enough overlap between tournament and cash staff and players that the standards inevitably “osmose” into the rest of the poker ecosystem. That's how the poker world works—tournament rules often become industry norms.

📅 What Needs to Happen Next

• Raise awareness: Share stories like the Bellagio incident. Discuss the dangers publicly—on podcasts, in articles, on social media.

• Start the conversation with the TDA: Let’s find out the process for proposing new rules (they typically meet every two years, with the next likely in 2024).

• Draft the rule: Propose clear language banning digital assistance during live play. (Something as simple as: “The use of any electronic device, software, or tool to assist with decision-making during live hands is prohibited and will result in disqualification.”)

• Rally support: Get signatures and backing from players, tournament staff, operators, and organizations.

💬 Final Thoughts

Poker has survived for generations because it evolves. But we’ve reached a tipping point. Technology is outpacing integrity, and the line between learning and cheating is being willfully blurred.

The TDA has the power—and the responsibility—to protect the game’s future. Let’s work together to draw a firm line now… while we still can.

Poker is getting a fresh new tour—and it comes with some serious pedigree. Chris Moneymaker, 2003 WSOP Main Event champion and one of poker's most beloved ambassadors, has announced the launch of the MoneyMaker Tour, a U.S.-based tournament series aiming to carve out space in the mid-major circuit.

And to help bring it to life, Moneymaker has brought on one of the industry's most respected names: Tony Burns.

🔥 The Big Hire: Tony Burns

Burns, the former Tournament Director and Director of Poker Marketing at Seminole Hard Rock in Florida, is the first major hire for the MoneyMaker Tour. He announced his move via social media, calling it a “lifetime deal” with Moneymaker, whom he referred to as “a good friend and one of poker’s greatest ambassadors.”

“Chris has tasked me with starting the MoneyMaker Tour as his Executive Manager and assisting with growing his brand not only domestically, but internationally,” Burns shared.

The hire marks a full-circle moment for Burns, who started as a poker dealer in 2003 and rose through the ranks to become one of the top tournament executives in the country. His journey includes an eight-year run at Isle Casino Pompano Park, followed by a pivotal leadership role at Seminole Hard Rock beginning in 2015.

🃏 A Tour with History—and a Future

Interestingly, the "MoneyMaker Tour" name already has some legacy. Back in 2018, Moneymaker partnered with PokerStars for a low-stakes, $86 buy-in tour stop at the Seminole Hard Rock, where Burns and Moneymaker first began working together more closely. That version was short-lived, but it laid the foundation for a deeper partnership.

Now, with Moneymaker's brand stronger than ever, this new tour is set to be a more permanent fixture.

Burns reflected on the decision, saying:

“He’s the reason I got into poker... To join Chris is full circle.”

🎯 What’s Next?

Full details on the MoneyMaker Tour will be revealed in the coming weeks, but early indications suggest a multi-stop series spanning multiple states. Given both Burns’ and Moneymaker’s strong ties in the poker community, the tour will likely attract serious attention and participation.

One exception: it’s unlikely to include Paducah, Kentucky, where Moneymaker’s Moneymaker Social Club was recently shut down by local officials. Still, that setback isn’t expected to slow the tour’s momentum.

🚀 Why This Matters

Between Moneymaker’s star power and Burns’ deep experience, the MoneyMaker Tour could be the next big thing in mid-major American poker. With the potential to blend accessible buy-ins, player-friendly structures, and high-quality venues, the tour may quickly become a staple for players across the country.

Stay tuned—this one has all the makings of a game-changer.

Nacho Barbero is kicking off 2023 in red-hot form, adding another trophy to his case with a commanding win at the Triton Super High Roller Series in Vietnam. Just weeks after a deep run at the PokerStars Players Championship (where he finished fourth), Barbero crushed the final table of Event 2: $15,000 No-Limit Hold’em 8-Handed, claiming the title and a $600,000 payday at the luxurious Hoiana Resort & Golf.

🏆 Final Table Results:

💥 Barbero’s Final Table Rampage

Barbero didn’t just win—he steamrolled the final table, personally eliminating seven of his eight opponents. The only knockout not credited to him was Alex Kulev, who fell to Lee Wai Kiat in sixth.

He kicked things off by cracking Linus Loeliger’s better hand with a turned nut straight, and the carnage continued from there. Kean Wei Tan and Seth Davies were next on his list, followed by a dominant display against the rest of the table. Even Brian Kim, who started the final table as chip leader and managed to double through Barbero once, couldn’t avoid elimination—falling in third after Barbero paired his kicker.

In the heads-up match against Jans Arends, Barbero started with a 2:1 lead and closed it out quickly. The final hand saw Arends semi-bluff with a gutshot draw, but Barbero made top pair and held firm through the river to lock up his first-ever Triton title.

🔥 Side Notes & Highlights

• Seth Davies is quietly building a strong series. After placing 4th in Event 1 for $357,000, he followed up with 7th place here for another $102,100.

• Mark Rubbathan, an ACR Stormer, narrowly missed the final table, bubbling in 10th place for a personal-best $50,300 cash. He won his trip through a Twitch contest, beating 42 others for a $100K package.

📡 Stay Tuned with PokerOrg Instant

PokerOrg is live on the ground in Vietnam, covering every hand, highlight, and behind-the-scenes moment. Follow along via our PokerOrg Instant feed for real-time updates, photos, and all the fun happening on and off the felt at Triton Vietnam.

Barbero’s red-hot streak is far from over—and if this momentum continues, 2023 might just be his biggest year yet.

In a significant move towards ensuring game integrity, 888 Holdings Plc, the parent company of 888poker, has revealed it recovered almost $290,000 from poker cheaters in 2022. The funds were returned to the affected players after their online accounts were found to have violated various rules on the platform's global network.

Key Details:

• Amount Recovered: $287,292 was refunded to 6,801 distinct players, which translates to an average of $42 per player.

• Violations Detected: The violations primarily involved the use of bots and real-time assistance (RTA).

• Detection Increase: The company reported a 32% increase in detections compared to the previous year, reflecting the growing effectiveness of its detection systems.

Efforts and Focus on Game Integrity:

• Matan Krakow, Head of Poker Offering at 888poker, stated that the company has made significant investments in technology and player cooperation to tackle cheating more effectively. He emphasized that 888poker will continue focusing on improving its detection capabilities in the year ahead.

• Game Integrity: 888poker has reiterated its commitment to providing a fair, safe, and entertaining experience for players, highlighting its ongoing efforts to combat bots, real-time assistance, and collusion in the poker environment.

Confidentiality:

As with most online poker networks, 888poker has chosen not to publicly identify the individuals behind the cheating attempts, in line with the legal frameworks in many jurisdictions that prevent the public naming of cheaters except in exceptional cases.

Looking Ahead:

888poker plans to keep investing in technology to further enhance its detection capabilities and maintain a secure environment for players. This effort aims to ensure a better and more equitable experience for all poker participants on its platform.

The 4th Global Poker Awards were held on Friday evening at the PokerGO Studio in Las Vegas, celebrating the poker world's biggest achievements from 2022. The gala saw 29 awards handed out across various categories, including playing, industry, and media segments. Many winners were determined through a multi-round voting process, while a few player-based awards were pre-determined.

Major Highlights:

• Ethan "Rampage" Yau: A big winner of the night, Yau took home trophies for Best Vlogger and Fans' Choice: Poker Personality. He joined Stephen Song, the GPI Overall and Mid-Major leader, as the only double GPA winners of 2022.

• Robbi Jade Lew: Lew’s controversial "J-4" hand against Garrett Adelstein on Hustler Casino Live was voted Best Hand of 2022.

• Angela Jordison: Despite narrowly missing two of the three GPI points-based honors, Jordison claimed the Breakout Player award. In a heart-wrenching speech, she shared her emotional connection to poker, dedicating her win to her late father, who passed away in 2020. She had promised him to win something big, and she believed this honor fulfilled that vow.

• Phil Ivey: Ivey was named Comeback Player of the Year, while Daniel "Jungleman" Cates and Stephen Chidwick also claimed GPA wins.

Tournament Venues and Content Creators Recognized:

• Best Event: The WPT World Championship at Wynn Las Vegas took home this prestigious award.

• Best Trophy: The WSOP Main Event Winner's Bracelet.

• Best Mid-Major Tour: RunGood Poker Series, marking their third win in this category.

Content Creators Honored:

• Best Broadcaster: James Hartigan, with notable support from a publicity campaign by Joe Stapleton.

• Best Streamer: Kevin Martin.

• Best Podcast: Only Friends Podcast, led by Matt Berkey.

• Rising Star in Content Creation: Caitlin Comeskey.

• Best Media Content:

  • Written: Jennifer Shahade (Wall Street Journal).

  • Video: Greg ‘Goes All In’ Liow.

  • Photo: Hayley Hochstetler.

Other Awards:

• Twitter Personality: Will Jaffe.

• Fans Choice:

  • Fave Live Stream: Hustler Casino Live.

  • Best Trophy: WSOP Main Event Bracelet.

Special Awards:

• Poker ICON: Gabe Kaplan, the retired co-commentator of "High Stakes Poker".

Charitable Initiative:

• Star Gold Coast won the Charitable Initiative award.

GPI Winners:

• Female Player of the Year (PoY): Cherish Andrews.

• Mid-Major Player of the Year: Stephen Song.

• Player of the Year: Stephen Song.

• PokerGO Tour Player of the Year: Stephen Chidwick.

The 4th Global Poker Awards was an emotional and exciting evening, reflecting the many facets of the poker world, from players and content creators to industry leaders.

The RunGood Poker Series has revealed exciting plans for its 2023 season finale at Thunder Valley Casino and Resort in July. This three-week stop marks the conclusion of the Checkpoint season and promises an action-packed schedule.

Highlights of the Event:

• Seventeen Ring Events: A series of events including multi-flight tournaments, with an exciting range of formats and buy-ins.

• $250,000 GTD Monolith: Kicking off the opening weekend, this tournament is sure to bring plenty of action.

• $500,000 GTD Hendon Mob Mid-Major Championship: A landmark event, this will be the first-ever THM-branded tournament in North America.

Key Statements:

• Eric Danis, President of GPI/The Hendon Mob, expressed his excitement about the new collaboration, stating, "This is the first time a THM-branded event has been announced for North America."

• Tana Karn, Founder and President of RunGood, said, "We’re thrilled to bring the RunGood Poker Series back to Thunder Valley Casino and Resort. With an incredible lineup of tournaments and a newly minted partnership with GPI and THM, this year's series is set to be one of the most exciting yet."

$1M GTD RunGood Checkpoint Main Event:

• The highlight of the series will be the $1M GTD RunGood Checkpoint Main Event, offering a massive prize pool for the winner.

The Dream Seat Invitational:

• After the series, RunGood will invite ring winners to return to Thunder Valley in November for the Dream Seat Invitational, sponsored by PokerGO.

• Top Prize: The winner will receive a seat to the PokerGO Tour Championship and a shot at the $1M free-roll at the PokerGO Studio.

This event promises to be a memorable finale for the season, combining high-stakes action, impressive prizes, and exclusive opportunities for top players.

For more details on registration, buy-ins, and the full schedule, be sure to check the official event page.

As March Madness heats up, poker players and basketball fans alike will be tuning in to the NCAA basketball playoffs. To make the excitement even more thrilling, StormX, a cryptocurrency company with poker pro Maria Ho as a brand ambassador, is offering a free-to-play March Madness bracket challenge.

Key Details of the StormX March Madness Bracket Challenge:

• Grand Prize: $1 million in STMX cryptocurrency for anyone who picks all 63 games correctly in the tournament.

• Other Prizes: There will be many additional prizes for standout performances in the challenge.

While the odds of winning the grand prize are astronomical (estimated at 1 in 9.2 quintillion if picking randomly), StormX and Ho are also offering more attainable prizes for participants who don't get the perfect bracket.

The "Perfect Bracket" Myth:

• The odds of filling out a perfect March Madness bracket have been famously difficult to achieve. Statistically, your chances are about 1 in 9.2 quintillion if you make random picks.

• However, picking favorites and considering likely outcomes can improve the odds, making the chances of a perfect bracket closer to 1 in 120 billion.

Maria Ho Sweepstakes:

In addition to the bracket challenge, StormX is also running the Maria Ho Sweepstakes.

• Grand Prize: The winner will receive the chance to spend a day in Las Vegas and play poker with Maria Ho.

• Entry: Free to enter, and registration details will be available soon.

This combination of March Madness excitement and poker action offers a unique opportunity to get involved in both worlds, with chances to win real prizes and enjoy exclusive experiences.

To celebrate the tenth anniversary of the WSOP's free-to-play mobile app, the World Series of Poker (WSOP) and software developer Playtika have unveiled the WSOP Thrill Team. This exciting new initiative brings together seven prominent poker pros with deep connections to the WSOP.

Members of the WSOP Thrill Team:

• Espen Uhlen Jørstad (Norway) – Recent WSOP Main Event winner

• Patrik Antonius (Finland) – Renowned for his poker prowess

• Vanessa Selbst (USA) – Three-time WSOP bracelet winner

• Adam Hendrix (USA)

• Landon Tice (USA)

• Samantha Abernathy (USA)

• Ethan "Rampage" Yau (USA)

Abernathy and Yau, in particular, have credited the WSOP free-to-play app with helping them develop their poker skills, making this initiative even more meaningful.

Key Features of the WSOP Free-to-Play App:

• The app, which can be accessed online at playwsop.com, has seen a significant upgrade, with added features and ongoing giveaways.

• Special promotions will continue throughout 2023, culminating in events tied to the upcoming 2023 WSOP in Las Vegas.

Guy Cedar, General Manager of the WSOP Free-to-Play App:

"Making it to the World Series of Poker is playing in the big leagues, so as the official WSOP app, we are honored to bring that same thrill and excitement to players everywhere."

Samantha Abernathy’s Reflection:

“The WSOP app helped me learn poker from the basics to advanced strategies, and it provided me with a platform to compete fearlessly while I was still honing my skills."

The WSOP Thrill Team represents a diverse group of players and underscores the global appeal and camaraderie that the WSOP fosters among poker enthusiasts, both online and in-person. This campaign aims to continue inspiring and connecting players worldwide while celebrating the 10-year milestone of the free-to-play app.

As the 2023 Formula One season kicks off, PokerStars and Oracle Red Bull Racing (ORBR) have confirmed they will continue their successful partnership into its second year. Following the exciting Bahrain Grand Prix, where Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez secured top spots on the podium, both brands are looking forward to another season of joint promotions and thrilling experiences for F1 fans.

Key Highlights of the Partnership:

• PokerStars Red Spade Pass: Returning for its second year, this program gives players exclusive opportunities to earn unique, money-can’t-buy F1 experiences at prestigious race events.

• New Race Weekend Rewards: PokerStars will offer an array of exciting rewards, including:

  • Chicane Cash Drop

  • Spin & Go Races

  • Odds Boost on Sports Bets

  • Casino Weekend Races Leaderboard

• Exclusive Content: PokerStars will share behind-the-scenes footage from key races via its YouTube channel.

Christian Horner, Oracle Red Bull Racing Team Principal:

"Partnering with PokerStars has been an ace move for the Team. Their commitment to entertainment and innovation is a winning formula that perfectly aligns with our own values in Formula One."

Rebecca McAdam Willetts, Director of Partnerships at Flutter:

"This partnership has enabled both us and Oracle Red Bull Racing to reach audiences who share similar passions and interests, and we still firmly believe that the team is the perfect fit for PokerStars.net, sharing our conviction that it’s not just about what you offer fans, but the ethos and vision behind it."

This ongoing collaboration promises to enhance the excitement of F1 fans by blending poker, sports, and exclusive racing experiences. Keep an eye out for more thrilling offers throughout the season!

This past Friday, Phil Galfond released a new video on his YouTube channel, but it’s not the usual strategy breakdown or hand analysis fans have come to expect. Instead, Galfond takes a deep dive into the history and future of poker regulation in the U.S..

Key Highlights from Galfond's Video:

1. Recent History of U.S. Poker Regulation:
   Galfond explores the evolution of poker regulation in the United States, detailing key moments in the game's history that have shaped its current legal landscape.

2. Current State of U.S. Poker:
   The video delves into the current regulatory environment, discussing how different states have approached online and live poker regulation, and the challenges players and operators face.

3. Galfond's Insights and Personal Experience:
   Drawing from his own extensive experience in the poker world, Galfond offers unique insights on the impact of these regulations, both on the players and the industry itself.

4. The Future of U.S. Poker:
   Galfond concludes by discussing his thoughts on where U.S. poker is headed, touching on potential changes in regulations, the role of online poker, and what the landscape might look like in the coming years.

Why Watch?

For anyone interested in the future of poker in the U.S., Galfond’s perspective as one of the game's greats offers valuable insight into the industry's trajectory. His comprehensive overview sheds light on how regulatory changes could influence poker’s growth and evolution in the country.

This video is a must-watch for poker enthusiasts, players, and industry insiders looking to understand the complex world of poker regulation and its future in the U.S.

For the second year in a row, America's Cardroom (ACR) is celebrating International Women's Day with a charity tournament to benefit the United Breast Cancer Foundation (UBCF).

Event Details:

• Date & Time: Wednesday, March 8th at 4:30 PM ET.

• Buy-in: $55 with a $10,000 guaranteed prize pool.

• Prize Pool: The winning players will keep their portion of the prize pool, and ACR will match the total prize pool as a donation to UBCF.

• Special Offer: ACR will give female registrants a $55 tournament ticket as a bonus for their participation.

Highlights:

• ACR Team Pros Katie Lindsay and Ebony Kenny will be joined by Nikki Limo and Caitlin Comesky on the ACR Twitch channel to raise awareness about breast cancer. They will discuss the importance of breast self-examinations and share their personal experiences as women.

• ACR's Commitment: The tournament aims to raise funds for UBCF, which provides support to individuals and families dealing with breast cancer.

Previous Success:

• In October 2022, ACR hosted a similar event that raised over $15,000 for the UBCF. This year’s tournament continues that momentum, with all funds raised going directly towards breast cancer awareness and survivor support.

A Win-Win Collaboration:

• Ebony Kenney, one of ACR’s team pros, expressed her enthusiasm for the charity tournament, saying, "I'm so pleased ACR is running another charity tournament to help raise funds for the United Breast Cancer Foundation. I am passionate about supporting this charity because I particularly love that they offer holistic approaches to healing and helping as many cancer survivors as possible."

ACR's commitment to supporting the United Breast Cancer Foundation through fun, community-focused events is a strong demonstration of their dedication to giving back and making a meaningful impact.

Flutter Entertainment, the parent company of PokerStars, has agreed to a $4 million settlement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The settlement resolves a cease-and-desist order related to misreported securities-related disclosures concerning payments made to Russian consulting entities for lobbying purposes.

The settlement primarily concerns actions taken during Amaya / The Stars Group's ownership of PokerStars (between 2015 and 2020), before Flutter acquired PokerStars in 2020. The SEC's nine-page report outlines payments made to three individuals and one company under the Amaya / TSG regime.

Key Details:

• Lobbying Payments: The SEC asserts that PokerStars failed to conduct proper due diligence on the Russian lobbyists it hired. These lobbying efforts became a matter of SEC interest after Amaya's securities were traded on NASDAQ starting in June 2015.

• Total Payments: Between 2015 and 2020, PokerStars made lobbying-related payments totaling $8.9 million. Among these were funds funneled to Roskomnadzor (Russia's state agency responsible for blacklisting online gambling operators), which led to PokerStars' gaming servers being blocked multiple times.

• Improper Payments: The SEC also flagged payments made for New Year's gifts to Russian government officials, violating the company's internal policies.

• Current Status: Flutter has severed ties with most of the consultants involved, except for one, who continues to work with PokerStars on its 2022 withdrawal from the Russian market, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Early Lobbying Efforts:

• The lobbying efforts in Russia actually pre-date Amaya's ownership, as PokerStars, under its Oldford Group entity, had retained three consultants in Russia, prior to the formal Russian gaming regulation.

• These consultants were involved in helping PokerStars navigate the Russian market during a time when there were no formal online-gambling regulations.

Red Flags and Inadequate Due Diligence:

• In 2015, Amaya hired a new consulting firm (referred to as "Consulting Company A") to help with Russian gaming legislation. This firm raised multiple red flags, including being based in Belize with a payment account in Latvia. Despite these concerns, Amaya paid the firm $2 million in 2015, half of which came after the company registered its securities with the SEC.

Flutter's Cooperation:

• The SEC acknowledged Flutter's cooperation in the investigation and its efforts to enhance internal controls. The company has since implemented remedial measures such as improvements in its global compliance, due diligence processes, and internal accounting practices.

This settlement marks a significant resolution for Flutter, as it aims to move beyond these legacy issues while continuing to ensure that its business practices align with global regulatory standards.

In celebration of International Women's Day, the World Poker Tour (WPT) is unveiling a new slate of Ladies Events throughout Season XXI. Among these is the second annual WPT Ladies Championship, which follows the success of its inaugural edition. The first champion, Lina Niu from Canada, outlasted a stacked field to take home the top prize of over $100,000.

This season, 13 WPT festivals will feature Ladies Events, highlighting the growing participation of women in poker. The full list of festivals with Ladies Events is as follows:

Season XXI Scheduled Ladies Events:

• WPT Prime Cambodia

• WPT Prime India

• WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown

• WPT Choctaw

• WPT Prime Slovakia

• WPT Prime Vietnam

• WPT Prime Taiwan

• WPT Prime Liechtenstein

• WPT Australia

• WPT Prime Madrid

• WPT bestbet Scramble

• WPT Seminole Rock 'N' Roll Poker Open

• WPT World Championship

To mark the occasion, ClubWPT is running an online qualifier for the 2023 WPT Ladies Championship. The winner of this qualifier will receive a $2,500 passport, which includes the event buy-in, a three-night stay at Wynn Las Vegas, and $1,000 in cash. Additionally, WPT anchor Lynn Gilmartin will be a featured bounty in the tournament, and her run will be live-streamed on the ClubWPT Twitch channel.

WPT CEO Adam Pliska expressed his pride in the efforts to increase women’s participation in poker, saying, "At WPT, we take pride in the efforts we have put forth to increase women's participation in poker. As we recognize and celebrate International Women's Day, we look forward to these record-setting initiatives throughout Season XXI and seeing more women play in our events around the world."

This initiative is a significant step towards greater inclusion and recognition of women in the world of poker.

Meeting your heroes can often be a daunting experience, and sometimes, it goes much differently than expected. Whether it’s a fleeting, awkward moment or a memorable encounter, you never quite know what you’ll get.

I’ve had my fair share of these encounters. Thirty years ago, I met a rock 'n roll hero, a household name. I simply shared my appreciation for his music, and you'd have thought I told him his glasses were out of style. But, just ten years ago, when I met Rod Stewart, the response was completely different. He greeted me with an "Oh darling!" and a big hug in the men's room at the Savoy Hotel in London (yes, seriously).

Taking chances with these moments is part of it. When someone has impacted your life for the better, you may never get the chance to thank them again. So, if the universe lines it up, I always make sure to express my gratitude. Sometimes, the response is warm; other times, it’s not. But the act of saying it feels right.

This brings me to December, at the big tournament series at the Wynn in Las Vegas.

What Are the Odds?

I was walking through the Wynn poker room and headed toward the podium when I spotted Nate Silver heading out the door. I knew he’d been participating in the $1,100 HORSE tournament, and that players were now in the money. Given that Silver had likely just busted out, it didn’t seem like the best time to approach him — especially considering how poker can serve as an escape from the intense pressures of his high-profile life. But this was Nate Silver.

Who is Nate Silver?

For a brief introduction: Nate Silver is the founder of FiveThirtyEight, a data-driven political and sports reporting site. He became famous for accurately predicting the winner in 49 out of 50 U.S. states during the 2008 presidential election, and improved that record in 2012. His insightful political analysis, grounded in data, provides a refreshing contrast to the usual mindless punditry we often see.

Silver also has a poker background. He was a professional poker player before transitioning fully into the world of data journalism, and his poker vocabulary sometimes even seeps into his political commentary. One famous 538 headline from November 2012: "Mitt Romney is drawing to an inside straight." (A perfect example of his ability to blend his love for poker with political insight.)

How Nate Silver Changed My Life

To be honest, Nate Silver made me a small fortune in the 2012 election. I bet on his predictions, rather than following the drama-filled rhetoric of the mainstream media. Silver's data-driven approach was spot on, and that made me a believer.

But what Nate did for me in the last couple of months has had an even bigger impact. I had a set amount of money I wanted to contribute to political candidates, but I wanted to ensure my donations made the biggest impact. So, I looked to FiveThirtyEight and researched three candidates that they had identified as being in tight but winnable races. I put all my funds into those races, and I managed to hit the trifecta. Nate would be the first to say I was running pure, but regardless, I placed my money wisely thanks to his analysis.

The Encounter

When I saw Nate at the Wynn, I introduced myself and expressed my appreciation for his work. Despite just busting out 25th in the HORSE event, he was incredibly gracious. He even complimented me on my prior role in the poker world. For me, that was like hearing Tony Gwynn praise my batting stance. It was the highlight of my week.

I didn’t keep him long — he looked like he needed a drink and some quiet time, which I completely understood. But just those few moments of gratitude meant a lot to me. It’s rare to meet someone who has made the world a better place, and I wanted to say thank you.

The Confidence to Express Appreciation

Thanks to moments like these, I now have the confidence to express my appreciation the next time I encounter a hero. Whether it’s a moment of awkwardness or one of pure connection, I know that I’ll be glad I took the chance.

A Political Contest

To tie this all back to the theme of politics, I’m offering a $100 donation to the charity of your choice for a little contest. The first person to correctly name the three candidates I supported with my donations will win. Here are the clues you need:

• The races I supported had national legislative importance, but no gubernatorial races were involved.

• I supported three candidates, all of whom won by narrow margins.

• I focused on races where my donations would likely have the most impact.

The T&Cs of the competition are, as always, whatever I decide they are. Happy guessing!

It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly 20 years since Chris Moneymaker, a Tennessee accountant, famously turned an $86 online qualifier seat into a World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event victory, changing the poker landscape forever. This summer, Americas Cardroom (ACR) is celebrating that landmark with its The Next Moneymaker 2.0 promotion, offering one lucky player the chance to follow in Moneymaker’s footsteps and head to Vegas.

How The Next Moneymaker 2.0 Works

The promotion runs from March 11th through May 28th, and gives players the opportunity to climb their way to a WSOP seat through $86 online tournaments, just like Moneymaker did. Here’s how it works:

• Players can compete in weekly $86 tournaments and earn points on the leaderboard.

• Each week, the top 24 players on the leaderboard will earn additional points.

• Anyone who participates in all 13 weeks of the promotion will earn an added bonus.

Even if players only take part in one of the weekly events, they’ll still qualify for the special two-day finale, which will begin on Sunday, June 4th.

The Big Prize

The grand prize is worth over $115,000:

• $15,000 travel package, which includes the $10,000 WSOP buy-in.

• $100,000 cash for the winner.

The more often a player cashes or makes it onto the leaderboard, the better their starting stack will be in the June finale.

$1 Million in Prizes

There’s also a total of $1,000,000 in guaranteed prize pools throughout the course of the promotion, making it an even more enticing opportunity for poker enthusiasts.

For more details and to get started, head over to ACR’s The Next Moneymaker 2.0 promotion page.

Poker star Daniel Negreanu has once again raised serious allegations against Ali Imsirovic, accusing the former GPI Player of the Year of continuing to cheat in online poker. Negreanu, who has been outspoken about integrity issues in poker, took to Twitter earlier today, calling for an industry-wide ban on Imsirovic, both online and live. He wrote, "All operators both online and live should proactively ban him indefinitely. He is the opposite of remorseful and is actually boastful, bragging about robbing former friends."

A History of Cheating Allegations

Imsirovic has been plagued by cheating accusations since 2020. He was among several players who were banned by GGPoker for allegedly using real-time assistance (RTA). Though GGPoker never officially named the banned players, Imsirovic’s account was notably shut down just before the site announced a sweeping ban of numerous high-stakes players, leading many in the poker community to presume his involvement.

In 2022, Imsirovic was again at the center of cheating allegations from fellow high-stakes pro Alex Foxen. Foxen accused Imsirovic of inappropriate behavior at a Super High Roller Bowl final table, claiming he had been caught "rubbernecking" the hole cards of another player. Foxen also hinted at more widespread cheating, adding, "Ali is known as a cheater to almost all in the high roller community, however without much ironclad proof, most stay silent."

The Poker Integrity Council (PIC) and Imsirovic's Bans

Following these accusations, talk of a global blacklist for poker cheaters grew louder, leading to the formation of the Poker Integrity Council (PIC) in 2022. PIC was a collaboration between GGPoker and several live poker tours, including the WSOP and the WPT, designed to prevent known cheaters from participating in both online and live events.

Imsirovic was one of the players whose name surfaced in connection with this blacklist. His ban from GGPoker, which was initially a result of suspected multi-accounting and RTA use, was followed by an indefinite suspension from the PokerGO Tour in September 2022, along with Jake Schindler. The suspension by PokerGO, which was not publicly detailed, suggested that Imsirovic's prior actions may have been too severe for any reinstatement, despite the olive branch extended by GGPoker earlier in the year.

Negreanu's Response and Industry Impact

Negreanu’s call for a complete industry-wide ban on Imsirovic is part of an ongoing conversation about integrity in poker. His direct approach follows the heightened scrutiny around Imsirovic’s behavior and the broader efforts to combat cheating in high-stakes poker circles. Many in the poker community continue to voice concerns about Imsirovic’s conduct, and with his continued involvement in poker tournaments, Negreanu and others are calling for stronger, more unified action to protect the game's integrity.

As the drama surrounding Imsirovic unfolds, it’s clear that the topic of cheating will continue to be a major focus in the poker world, with Negreanu pushing for stricter measures to keep the game clean.

The Triton Super High Roller Series in Vietnam has once again delivered breathtaking poker action from the world’s best players. The 100k Main Event, however, had a surprising victor in part-time poker pro Talal Shakerchi, who took home a whopping $3,250,000 and the coveted trophy, outlasting some of the biggest names in the game.

While the PokerOrg Instant feed has concluded and the team is heading home, the Triton festival continues with Short Deck events, running through to March 13. The series will culminate with the 100k SD Main Event, so there’s still plenty of poker action to follow.

You can catch all the live action from the remaining events via the Twitch stream and relive the excitement from the Hoiana Resort and Golf in Quang Nam, Vietnam, as we continue to follow the high-stakes drama of this incredible series.

Talal Shakerchi of the United Kingdom has emerged victorious in the prestigious Triton Vietnam 100k No-Limit Hold'em (NLH) Main Event. With poise and determination, Shakerchi navigated a star-studded final table, securing his first-ever Triton title and taking home a prize of $3,250,000, along with the coveted Shamballa bracelet and a stunning trophy.

The event, held at Hoiana Resorts and Golf, saw record-breaking turnouts, with 135 entrants (including 45 reentries) taking a shot at the massive 100k buy-in prize pool. Shakerchi entered the final table with a narrow chip lead and was up against a highly competitive field, but he managed to weather the storm and clinch the win.

Main Event Final Table Results:

Path to Victory:

Shakerchi's journey to the title was filled with dramatic moments. Early on, he watched as Roman Hrabec and Winfred Yu were eliminated in quick succession. However, his road wasn't smooth, as he first lost a flip to Nick Petrangelo, causing him to lose the chip lead. Later, he faced a tough hand when his pocket tens ran into Michael Soyza's pocket aces, but he managed to minimize his losses.

Despite the rocky start, Shakerchi rebounded with a crucial victory over Timothy Adams, where he flopped a set to send Adams home in sixth place. Shakerchi's chip lead grew during five-handed play, including a critical snap-call on the river against Daniel Smiljkovic to further extend his lead.

Key Moments:

• Three-handed play saw Shakerchi hit a flush on the turn after getting all-in with Daniel Smiljkovic, who had flopped two pairs, eliminating Smiljkovic in third place.

• Heads-up play began with Shakerchi holding a slight chip lead over Michael Soyza. Despite some early struggles, including losing the chip lead after a check-raise and river bluff from Soyza, Shakerchi regained control. The decisive hand came when Shakerchi made a straight on the turn against Soyza's two-pair, which set him up for the final push.

With a dominant performance, Shakerchi sealed the victory and secured his first Triton title.

Other Notable Results from Triton Vietnam:

• Mark Rubbathan turned his $100k ACR package into a Triton victory.

• Jason Koon added another title to his growing Triton collection.

• Local player Dao Minh Phu claimed his first title.

The Triton series continues with Short Deck events, and fans can follow the latest updates and results on Triton’s official website and social media channels.

Four co-owners of the Top Shelf Poker Room in Flint, Texas, have pled guilty to gambling-related misdemeanors following a raid by Smith County authorities in March 2022. The individuals—Labryce Carnell Duncan, Paul Lee Stewart, Todd Andrew Rowell, and Jesse Dwayne Vann—each pleaded guilty to a single Class C misdemeanor of gambling in connection with their operation of the poker room. As part of the plea agreement, the co-owners will each face a fine of up to $500.

The raid came after several months of investigation, which included undercover officers playing in the poker room. The Top Shelf Poker Room had been operating for five years prior to the raid. The four men were arrested in May 2022.

Charges Dropped, Plea Deal Reached

Under the plea deal, the more serious charges of promoting gambling, which could have carried penalties including up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $4,000, were dropped. The co-owners were initially believed to be adhering to Texas gambling laws by generating revenue through membership and seat fees rather than directly taking a rake from the poker pots. The only rake taken was described as a "promotional" rake, which was returned to players through things like high-hand or bad-beat jackpots.

One of the co-owners, Duncan, also admitted to generating significant revenue from an ATM located on the premises, which was available for use by the players.

Impact and Context

The case highlights the gray areas in gambling regulation, particularly in Texas, where the legality of certain gambling operations often falls into murky territory. The Top Shelf Poker Room's business model, which involved charging for membership and seating fees, was likely intended to comply with Texas gambling laws. However, the presence of promotional rake and the revenue from the ATM led to legal complications. The plea deal brings a close to this legal chapter for the four co-owners, although the controversy surrounding unregulated poker rooms in the state continues.

A coalition of 20 Republican state attorneys-general has co-authored a letter protesting the proposed expansion of tribal gambling regulations by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). The expansion, first introduced in late 2022, would significantly broaden the scope of gambling that tribal nations could offer, both in live and online formats.

The lead author of the letter, Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen, criticized the BIA’s proposals, saying, "The proposed regulations would authorize an unprecedented expansion of tribal casino gaming—and would achieve that outcome by unjustifiably restricting the ability of state governments to adopt and enforce their own policies on gaming matters."

The proposals are viewed as the largest expansion of tribal gambling since the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) was signed into law in 1988. Key areas of expansion include sports betting and online gambling, both of which were not addressed by IGRA at its inception. The debate around these expansions has become especially contentious in states like Florida and California, where legislative battles have raged for years, pitting tribal interests against other gambling stakeholders and state governments.

BIA's Proposed Changes

The BIA’s proposed changes include allowing online gambling to be considered as occurring on tribal lands, as long as the gaming servers are located on tribal reservations. This would make online gambling legal at the federal level throughout the state, with exceptions for lands owned by other tribal nations. This provision has raised concerns among the protesting attorneys-general, particularly in states where tribal gaming is currently limited to live casino operations.

Additionally, the BIA’s proposals would relax restrictions on how tribal nations acquire land in trust for casinos. The current rules restrict the proximity of the land to the tribe's reservation. If these restrictions are removed, it could lead to a surge in land acquisitions by tribes, particularly in metropolitan areas, leading to a potential increase in small-to-medium casinos in densely populated regions.

Background and Legal Precedents

The legal landscape surrounding online gambling in tribal territories has been complex. A notable example is the case of California's Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel, which attempted to launch an online bingo platform in 2014. The federal courts ruled against it, citing that the IGRA did not consider online gambling to be taking place on tribal lands. However, the BIA’s stance shifted in 2021 when it allowed a compact between the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the state to permit online sports betting. This move is seen as a significant expansion of IGRA, despite the previous ruling in the Iipay Nation case.

The ongoing debate reflects broader tensions over state versus federal control of gambling and the economic power that could be wielded by tribes in expanded markets. The outcome of this dispute could reshape the landscape of online and live gambling across the U.S. for years to come.

America's Cardroom (ACR) has raised over $17,000 for the United Breast Cancer Foundation (UBCF) through a charity tournament held in honor of International Women's Day. The tournament, which saw 344 participants, generated a prize pool of $16,700.

ACR Team Pros Katie Lindsay and Ebony Kenney, along with influencers Nikki Limo and Caitlin Comeskey, streamed the event live on ACR's Twitch channel. During the stream, they shared their experiences both on and off the poker table. The full replay of the event is available for those who want to watch it again.

Katie Lindsay expressed her gratitude for the success of the event, saying, "I was delighted when ACR agreed to host another charity tournament for the United Breast Cancer Foundation. I'm overwhelmed with the success of this event. Raising even more money than last time was so wonderful and I know the money will go towards helping so many people that really need it."

The funds raised will be used to support individuals and families affected by breast cancer. Specifically, the donation will assist with critical services like breast cancer screenings and reconstructive surgery, as well as other community outreach programs aimed at providing support to those battling the disease.

It's hard to believe now, but there was a time when Nikhil 'Nik Airball' Arcot didn't make a lot of noise.

Arcot entered the poker scene with a relatively quiet presence. His early appearances on Hustler Casino Live (HCL) were fairly unremarkable. Few could have predicted that Arcot would soon evolve into a trash-talking table crusher. It took him a few weeks to settle into the rhythm of the game and truly express his aggressive playing style.

At first, Arcot caught attention not for a massive bluff, but for a huge lay-down against Ethan 'Rampage' Yau on the river. Some viewers may have read Arcot as a conservative, tight player, someone who would only put his chips in when confident he had the best hand.

Turns out, that wasn't the case at all.

As his appearances continued, it became clear that there was nothing timid about Arcot's play. Initially known as 'Nik A', this low-key name quickly gave way to the more aggressive and now infamous 'Nik Airball' persona. With his newfound confidence, Airball began to play with bold, brash tactics, quickly becoming a fixture at the HCL high-stakes tables.

His approach could be summed up in a few key strategies: No folding full houses, bullying pre-flop, and always having the most money on the table.

The Villainous Turn

A few months into his HCL run, the poker world started to take notice. The departure of Garrett Adelstein from the show created a void, one which Airball filled effortlessly with his larger-than-life personality. He quickly claimed the title of "King of LA Poker" on Twitter, and from there, the gloves were off.

Airball's aggressive style and antics became a hallmark of his appearances. One notable hand involved him going up against Finnish online poker star Henri "buttonclickr" Puustinen. Airball three-bet 5♣️4♣️ pre-flop and hit a flopped straight, putting a massive amount of money in the pot against Puustinen's pocket sevens. After nearly $900,000 was in the pot, Airball continued to needle Puustinen even after the hand was over, leaving his opponent with nothing but frustration. Puustinen quit the game shortly thereafter, while Airball's relentless trash talk continued.

Feud with Ben "blankcheckben" Lee

Airball's confrontational persona wasn’t limited to his play; it extended to his interactions with other players. Early in 2023, he turned his attention to HCL regular Benjamin 'blankcheckben' Lee. After a back-and-forth on Twitter, Airball challenged Lee to a live showdown. This challenge turned into a full-blown feud, leading to high-stakes battles that escalated once the cameras were off.

The tension between the two was palpable, and though the feud cooled momentarily, it’s clear that their rivalry will continue.

Airball Takes Austin

After a significant loss in Los Angeles, Airball made his way to Austin, Texas, bringing his antagonistic persona with him. He challenged Doug Polk, one of the Lodge's co-owners, and quickly found himself at odds with another high-stakes regular, Dan 'Jungleman' Cates.

The dynamic between Airball and Jungleman seemed natural and unscripted, as if born from the heat of the moment. After a few hands of fiery exchanges, Airball came out on top, further cementing his reputation as a villain in the poker world.

Airball the Artist

Airball's villainy continued to evolve, and it was only a matter of time before he set his sights on another poker legend: Art Papazyan. In a recent Hustler Casino Live appearance, Airball took down Papazyan in a massive pot, stacking him with impressive plays. The hand saw Airball inducing Papazyan to overplay his hand, eventually getting all the chips in with a dead draw. Airball’s playful jabs at Papazyan later on Twitter only added fuel to the fire.

The Results

Despite his trash-talking and confrontational style, Airball has undeniably made his mark. According to Tracking Poker, over sixty-one streamed sessions at HCL, Airball has accumulated over $1.1 million in winnings, making him the second-most profitable player in the show’s history.

It's worth noting, however, that this figure doesn’t account for any pots played off-stream, so his actual profits could be even higher.

Love Him or Hate Him

Airball, much like past poker villains such as Phil Hellmuth, Mike Matusow, and Tony G, has cultivated a polarizing persona. Fans of poker's more gentlemanly approach may not appreciate his antics, but there's no denying his ability to entertain, provoke, and perform under pressure.

Whether you love him or hate him, Airball is certainly good for the Hustler stream. In fact, he's proven to be a driving force in keeping the game exciting, and regardless of his approach, there's no doubt that poker fans will continue tuning in to see what he does next.

In the end, Nik Airball is carving out his own legacy as the poker world’s new super-villain, and his reign might just be getting started.

The Triton Poker Series concluded its exciting run in Vietnam with a thrilling finish, showcasing the high-octane action of Short Deck poker. After a series of No-Limit Hold'em events, the festival wrapped up with two Short Deck tournaments, a variant of poker that offers a unique twist to the traditional game.

100k Short Deck Main Event Results

The marquee event, the 100k Short Deck Main Event, was a fiercely contested tournament with an impressive prize pool. Aaron Zang from China emerged as the champion, taking home $1,544,000 and his second Triton Poker title. Here are the results from the final table:

1. Aaron Zang (China) – $1,544,000

2. Michael Zhang (United Kingdom) – $1,115,000

3. Kiat Lee (Malaysia) – $710,000

4. Phil Chiu (Hong Kong) – $540,000

5. Mikita Badziakouski (Belarus) – $416,000

6. Paul Phua (Malaysia) – $318,000

7. Jason Koon (United States) – $257,000

20k Short Deck Results

The 20k Short Deck event saw Sam Greenwood from Canada capture his second Triton title, claiming $207,000 in the process. Here's the final table breakdown:

1. Sam Greenwood (Canada) – $207,000

2. Lun Loon (Malaysia) – $143,000

3. Isaac Haxton (United States) – $91,000

4. Seth Davies (United States) – $65,800

5. Wei Hsiang Yeu (Malaysia) – $53,200

Short Deck Rules: A Quick Overview

If you're new to Short Deck, also known as 6+ Hold'em, here's a quick rundown of how the game differs from traditional No-Limit Hold'em:

• Deck: The deck is stripped down to 36 cards, removing the 2s, 3s, 4s, and 5s. This significantly alters the odds and hand rankings.

• Hand Rankings: A flush beats a full house in Short Deck, which is one of the key strategic shifts from traditional poker.

• Ante-Only Format: Instead of blinds, players post antes, and typically the player on the button posts two antes. This setup leads to more frequent action and larger pots.

• Strategy: Due to the deck size and modified hand rankings, Short Deck is a more action-oriented game with more frequent multi-way pots and dynamic equity swings. For instance, a set is slightly favored over a flopped straight, and pocket aces are dealt much more often than in No-Limit Hold'em.

Why You Should Try Short Deck

Sam Greenwood, after his victory in the 20k event, shared his thoughts on the game: “It’s not as solvable as No-Limit because so many hands are multi-ways. It’s a much more social game because there are so many multi-way pots. At first, people might be intimidated, and if you've never played before, you're going to make some really big mistakes. But the good thing about Short Deck is any mistake you make can’t be that bad.”

Greenwood's words speak to the learning curve of Short Deck, which attracts players who are still mastering its nuances. But with its high-action gameplay and unique strategic elements, it offers great value for players willing to put in the time to study.

Where to Play Short Deck

If you’re interested in playing Short Deck, Triton was the first to host live ante-only Short Deck tournaments, making it the place for high-roller action. Their next stop is Cyprus in May 2024.

In addition, the WSOP has started to embrace Short Deck, offering two buy-ins: $1,500 and $10,000, both of which will be available this summer in Las Vegas.

Conclusion

With the thrilling victories of Aaron Zang and Sam Greenwood, the Triton Poker Series in Vietnam came to an exciting close. As Short Deck continues to grow in popularity, it remains one of the most fun and unpredictable variations of poker. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a newcomer, Short Deck offers a fresh challenge and a chance to sharpen your poker skills.

With the rapid expansion of poker content, it can be challenging to find creators who truly resonate. This month, PokerOrg highlights smaller but growing creators who have a loyal following. First up is Noah, aka BigFishNoShrimp, a rising star in the world of poker streaming.

How He Got Started in Poker

Noah's poker journey began in Israel during his college years. He was in the country for college, intending to stay all four years, but he dropped out after his first year to pursue acting and poker. It was in Tel Aviv, running underground games with a friend, that Noah developed a deep love for poker. Despite not speaking much Hebrew, he was welcomed into the local poker community, which helped shape his passion for the game.

The Start of His Streaming Career

Noah’s transition to streaming came in April 2022. Initially, he wanted to use streaming as a way to connect with others in the poker community and share his journey. The income from streaming also helped stabilize his volatile poker lifestyle. While his primary goal was to build poker connections, he has also enjoyed exploring other types of content, including Just Chatting streams and gaming.

The Pros and Cons of Streaming Poker

For Noah, one of the biggest benefits of streaming poker is the sense of community. Online poker can often feel isolating, but streaming allows him to have friends and followers along for the ride. However, he points out the downside: being criticized by viewers about his gameplay decisions.

Memorable Moments on Stream

Noah highlights a big win in the Boski Special on ACR as one of his most memorable moments, especially since he had friends watching and cheering him on. He also had a fantastic week where he won four tournaments and placed second in two others, earning him over $10K.

Goals and Ambitions

In the future, Noah aspires to become an ACR Stormer, but his main focus is on building a fun, engaging community around his content. He dreams of winning a WSOP bracelet and playing in the WSOP Main Event before 2025.

Players He Admires

Noah’s favorite poker player is Michael Addamo, admiring his adaptability and fearless approach to the game. He’s also a big fan of Alan Keating, appreciating his bold, gambling mentality.

Study and Coaching

To sharpen his skills, Noah has relied on resources like pokercoaching.com and DTO. He also watches a lot of free YouTube content.

Live Poker Experience

Though he has played in various live venues in LA (such as The Bike, Player's, and Hollywood Park), Noah primarily focuses on online poker at the moment. However, he does enjoy playing live poker in Vegas and prefers the LA scene.

What Excites Him About Poker Right Now

Noah is particularly excited about Hustler live streams and the way they are working to grow the game. He also sees the recent big creator freerolls on ACR as a fantastic initiative to help poker reach new audiences.

Final Thoughts

Noah’s passion for poker and his community-focused streaming approach make him a creator to keep an eye on. If you haven’t checked out his stream yet, now’s the perfect time to get to know BigFishNoShrimp and follow his growing journey in the poker world!

Hustler Casino Live (HCL) is back with another exciting round of Creator Night, set to feature a fresh lineup of social media superstars. After the success of their previous Creator Nights, HCL is looking to expand its audience by introducing poker to new fans through this star-studded event.

Key Players for Round Two:

• Bryce Hall: The TikTok influencer-turned-boxer-turned-actor will be making his debut on HCL. Hall is expected to play his first-ever poker hand when the cameras start rolling.

• Josh Richards: Another TikTok sensation with over 50 million followers, Richards is also making his first appearance on HCL. He co-hosts the popular BFFs Podcast.

In addition to Hall and Richards, several regulars from previous Creator Nights will be back:

• Tommy Unold: A familiar face at HCL with past successes at the table.

• Nick Austin: Another regular who has performed well in past sessions.

• Alexandra Botez: The chess streamer and former Mr. Beast game star, who won over $450,000 in that session. She’s also a winner of a PokerStars PCA side event.

• Mikki: Another returning player known to the HCL audience.

New Additions to the Lineup:

• Hoodie Allen: The rapper and poker enthusiast returns to the set, having played on HCL during past Creator Nights.

• Eric 'Barstool Nate' Nathan: Host of the popular Cracking Aces podcast, Nathan is making his highly anticipated first appearance on HCL.

This star-studded event promises to be another entertaining and competitive night of poker, attracting fans from multiple social media platforms.

Stay tuned for further updates from Hustler Casino Live's Twitter for additional lineup announcements and other event details.

GGPoker has announced its Road to Vegas promotional tournament series, offering players the chance to win one of 600 coveted packages to the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event.

The series will award 500 packages to players who win satellite events during the promotional series, with an additional 100 packages available through ClubGG.

Key Details of GGPoker's Road to Vegas:

• Satellite Events: Starting on March 19, daily satellites to the WSOP Main Event will be held on GGPoker, with dozens of packages available each week.

• Entry Costs: Satellites will begin at just $1, and GGPoker will also run freeroll qualifiers for players to earn a spot at the event.

Each GGPoker WSOP Package Includes:

• $10,000 WSOP Main Event tournament entry

• 7 nights accommodation at the Horseshoe Las Vegas Hotel & Casino (July 1-8, including resort fees)

• $1,000 for travel expenses, credited to the player’s GGPoker account

• $1,000,000 bonus if a GGPoker qualifier wins the WSOP Main Event

• GGPoker-branded merchandise and gifts

• Access to the GGPoker Platinum Lounge at the event

Sarne Lightman, Managing Director of GGPoker, expressed excitement about the initiative, saying, “For many, competing in the WSOP Main Event is the ultimate poker dream. As the exclusive WSOP international satellite provider, GGPoker is thrilled to be able to fulfill this dream for at least 600 of our players.”

For more details and to participate in the Road to Vegas series, visit GGPoker’s official page.

New York's hopes for online poker and casino-style iGaming legalization in 2024 have been dashed after the state’s Assembly and Senate chambers revealed that online gambling provisions, including online poker, were left out of the 2024 fiscal year budget.

This omission from both chambers' budgets completes a series of setbacks for online gambling in New York, following the exclusion of iGaming from Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposed $227 billion FY2024 budget earlier this year. The absence of online poker and casino gambling provisions in the state's legislative budget means that New York's ongoing push for legalizing online poker will have to wait until at least 2024.

The Legislative Setback

Earlier this year, NY Assemblyman Gary Pretlow and NY State Senator Joseph Addabbo introduced bills—AB 1380 and a companion bill, respectively—that sought to legalize online poker in New York by reclassifying poker as a game of skill. This would have allowed online poker to follow a similar legalization path as daily fantasy sports (DFS), which were legalized in the state in the past. However, the absence of support for these bills in the final budget has pushed their progression back.

The Ongoing Struggle for Legalization

The failure to include online poker in the state budget represents the latest hurdle in New York’s long-running battle for iGaming legalization, a process that has faced repeated setbacks over the past decade. One of the key issues has been the parallel struggle to legalize sports betting. Sports betting took several years before finally being approved in 2019, and the controversy surrounding DFS legality in the state complicated discussions about broader online gaming legislation.

The combination of these legislative challenges has led to online poker continuing to be sidelined in New York, despite several attempts by lawmakers to pass bills.

What's Next for Online Poker in New York?

With iGaming provisions omitted from the 2024 budget, the focus will shift to the next legislative session. Lawmakers will need to regroup and potentially reintroduce bills for online poker and casino-style gambling in future years. However, with the continued legal battles around DFS and sports betting, it remains uncertain when or if online poker will make its way onto New York’s legal gambling landscape.

For now, poker players in the Empire State will have to wait and hope for a more favorable political climate in the coming years.

EVANSVILLE, IN — Indiana authorities have charged a table games supervisor at Bally's Evansville Casino, Edward A. Hill, along with Mark Edge, for running an illegal poker operation in southern Indiana. Hill, 53, of Evansville, is accused of operating the illicit poker room, which has been in business since July 2021. The charges, which include corrupt business influence, professional gambling, and promoting professional gambling, carry potential penalties of prison time and hefty fines.

The Operation and Investigation

The illegal poker room, operating under the name "Ed's Poker Club," was situated in a business-zoned building on Evansville's northeast side. The games, which typically offered a few tables of Texas Hold'em and Omaha, were held during the evenings and some afternoons. The poker operation was initially brought to light when a confidential source tipped off the Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) in January 2022. The source, who continued to play in the games while secretly recording evidence, helped agents build their case.

Agents raided the room in April 2022, seizing gaming equipment, financial records, and over $9,000 in cash. A simultaneous search of Hill's residence led to the discovery of an additional $13,000 in cash, including funds from a "bad-beat jackpot" linked to the operation. While Hill cooperated with authorities, turning over his phone's contents, which revealed a trove of communication, investigators learned that Hill had invited approximately 100 players to the games and profited around $200 per night.

Hill and Edge's Roles

Hill operated the poker room in addition to his regular job at Bally's Evansville, while Edge, 41, of Owensboro, Kentucky, acted as the day-to-day manager and primary dealer of the games. Edge is accused of receiving 25% of the room's proceeds, along with tips. Although Edge had not been arrested as of Thursday night, both he and Hill are facing charges that could lead to prison sentences ranging from six months to six years, depending on the charges.

A Web of Deceit

One interesting aspect of the case was the method used to disguise the operation from the landlord of the building housing the poker room. Hill and a local real estate agent, Troy Tornatta, worked together to set up the room under the guise of opening a "business office" for a temp agency. This deceptive tactic was employed to prevent the landlord from discovering the illegal poker activities.

While Hill cooperated with investigators, the role of Tornatta, though key to the room's setup, remains uncharged.

The Larger Context

Authorities discovered that Hill had been involved in at least three other underground poker operations in the Evansville area. His involvement in these operations grew after Bally's Evansville closed its poker room due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Despite a lack of a permanent poker room at Bally's, Hill continued his underground operations, capitalizing on the local demand for poker games.

Both Hill and Edge now face serious legal consequences for their roles in this long-running illegal gambling operation. The case highlights the challenges authorities face in policing underground gambling activities, especially when they are hidden behind legitimate business fronts.

It’s been fifty years since baseball could fairly be called America’s national pastime, though it did retain the title for well over a century, from roughly 1830 to 1972. If the damaged brains and shortened lives of football players ever get too much to stomach, baseball could reclaim the crown, though futbol and basketball, and martial arts fans will have plenty to say about that.

In the meantime, no serious person would deny that our national card game is poker or suggest that spades, hearts, bridge, or gin rummy might challenge it any time soon. Money is the language of poker and its means of keeping score, which makes it a faithful expression of democratic free-market values—or as actor Walter Matthau once put it, “Poker exemplifies the worst aspects of capitalism that have made our country so great.” That folks of any size, shape, age, or sex can play makes it more democratic than any physical sport. Watching football from the couch is one thing, but if we compare the number of people who pass their time playing poker to those playing any single sport, poker would be our national pastime. Again.

America's Games

Having evolved aboard southern riverboats from French poque and English brag in the first two decades of the nineteenth century, poker’s popularity continues to grow in this country while emerging in the twenty-first as the planet’s favorite card game. The World Series of Poker in Las Vegas has now crowned champions from 66 countries, including Tunisia, Peru, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Iran. WSOP Circuit events are contested on every inhabited continent.

Baseball’s not going anywhere, either, not when it’s played in two dozen countries and counting. My grandfather played in and reported on games in Scotland in 1918 while serving in the navy, and other American servicemen have played pretty much wherever they’re stationed. The 2023 World Baseball Classic features 20 teams competing in Taiwan, Japan, and the United States, with the final series played in Miami, the capital of Latin America.

Baseball emerged from British bat-and-ball games soon after poker took hold, though the rules of baseball weren’t codified until 1845 in New York’s Knickerbocker Club—unless it was in 1837 by William Wheaton of the Gotham Club. The 1845 edition of Hoyle, the bible of card games, still spelled poker “poke,” an effort to Anglicize poque. The provenance and rules of baseball and poker are impossible to pin down precisely because they often developed ad hoc, in numerous places, and were not written down. We do know that variants of both were played in most states and territories by the 1840s. Both were popular in Union and Confederate camps, with the boys in blue naturally favoring baseball when they had enough open flat ground, the graycoats their homegrown bluffing game, whose cunning stratagems their generals deployed to startling advantage on battlefields, especially during the war’s early campaigns. The South eventually lost that war, but by 1875 the New York Times had declared: “the national game is not base-ball, but poker.”

The Power of Luck

Baseball is a physical sport, poker a mind sport, but they still share many characteristics and factors, the predominant one being luck, which causes their best players to lose surprisingly often. Economist Steven Levitt, co-author of Freakonomics, notes that the most skillful poker players have modest percentage advantages strikingly similar to those enjoyed by the best MLB teams. Using stats from the 2010 World Series of Poker, Levitt found that “high skilled” players took home 30% more money than they bought in for, an average of $350 per tournament, while all other players lost an average of 15%, around $400. The highly skilled players won money in 54.9% of tournaments, almost exactly as often as MLB playoff teams win during the regular season. Since 2007, he found, “teams that made the playoffs the previous season win 55.7 per cent of their games against teams that failed to make the playoffs the previous season”—a difference in skill advantage of less than 1%.

Strong baseball teams and poker players want the luck to break even so their skill can prevail, but it’s hard to put a finger on exactly how and when luck does or doesn’t tip the balance. Soft ground balls trickle through, especially now that extreme shifts have been banned. Three-run homers get knocked down by wind or miss a fair pole by inches. Just as no one gets dealt pocket aces exactly once every 220 hands, no hand develops without luck as a critical factor. Timing in poker, as in baseball, is everything.

Jim McManus & Jayne Furman

Poker pros don’t win, or make lucrative final-table cashes, even 20% of the time for a variety of reasons, the main one being that worse players routinely “suck out” against them—make minus-EV (negative expected value) decisions, mistakenly calling bets when the odds are stacked against them, before spiking a dumb-lucky card to swipe a big pot from their plus-EV opponent. Pros suck out too, against amateurs and fellow pros alike, but suckouts by all players are common enough that the best hundred players can’t come close to winning even 10 % of the thousand-player tournaments they enter.

Optimistic amateurs will keep risking their buy-in money against pros because they understand the luck factor gives them a legitimate shot to cash deep. To cite one of the more notorious examples: on May 18, 2000, in the first tournament yours truly ever played, I finished fifth out of 512 entrants in the $10,000 WSOP Main Event, cashing for a quarter of a million dollars. Similar examples abound. The lines to play chess grandmasters for $10,000 are short or nonexistent, as they are for all games of pure skill. In poker, the lines to play the best are blocks long.

Luck, the Utility Player

Let’s look at some stages of fortune in a typical hand of no-limit Texas hold’em, by far the most popular variant of the last 30 years. You’re lucky to be dealt pocket jacks, the fourth- or fifth-best possible starting hand, but unlucky to have an opponent find queens. She raises, you call, and the flop comes 2-6-10 in three suits. You’re apparently lucky that no straight or flush draws are possible and no overcard to your jacks is out there, but in fact, you’re quite unlucky that the texture of this flop encourages you to bet or check-raise into her queens. You weren’t unlucky a jack didn’t flop, by the way, because pocket pairs flop sets only one time in eight; you just weren’t lucky enough. Yet if a jack and a queen had flopped, your luck would have been freakishly bad, because set-over-set flops occur only 1% of the time. When making a worse hand would have led to a better result, we say that your timing is off.

The rhythms, valences, and even some incidental features of our national games are also quite similar. They’re the only two games with an annual World Series, or in which players wear billed caps, sateen jackets, and sunglasses. Both are contested nine- or ten-handed but pay a huge premium for individual success. It’s the whole ballgame, in fact, at the poker table. And while baseball teams compete for a pennant, it’s the sultans of swing and of K who make the long money.

But the most basic shared feature is tactical: both games are dominated by probability. Managers deploy pinch-hitters and shifts, seek or avoid lefty-righty matchups, alter rotations and batting orders; poker players factor in pot odds, randomize bluffs, fold when their hand is an underdog, raise when they’re getting the best of it—or when they have nothing. In both contests, position, aggression, and stealing are crucial, but patience can be just as important. Baseball and poker players spend much of their time picking up signs, moving into position, and working the count, but once every nine chances or so, on offense and defense, they really do have to come through. And more than in most competitions, luck becomes pivotal. While the best football teams win 80-90% of their games and basketball teams slightly less, division-leading baseball teams prevail only 50-60% of the time. Why? Because the luck factor keeps them from winning more often.

Imagine there are two outs, bases loaded, late in a close game in a pennant race. With a full count, the setup man unleashes a nasty cutter in on the hands of a .900-OPS hitter. The hundreds of possible outcomes include the batter taking a close pitch for ball four—or strike three. On a perfect pitch, after all, a lot of luck (in the form of the umpire’s often-wrong verdict, not reviewable by video replay, controlled by neither pitcher nor batter) is involved in getting, or not getting, the call.

The batter also might swing—pull in his hands and skillfully make hard contact, driving the ball (a) just over the left field wall; (b) to nearly the same spot, where the left fielder makes a snow-cone catch; (c) an inch to the left of that spot, where the fielder gets the top of his glove on it before it caroms away for a bases-clearing double. The wind, the temperature, the humidity, the lights, the sun, the liveliness of that particular baseball, a fan’s reaching hand—all these and more will, at least as much as hitting skill, determine the outcome.

Or the batter could make feeble contact, haplessly producing (a) a popup on the infield; (b) a swinging bunt, driving in a run; (c) a “duck snort” that finds grass between rapidly converging infielders and outfielders, clearing the bases; (d) a seeing-eye or bad-hop grounder for a two-run single; (e) a two-hop grounder the shortstop fields easily; (f) a foul tip caught, or dropped, by the catcher. And so on. These and hundreds of other inflection points decided by random factors, not skill, keep dominant players from winning as much as they otherwise would.

Conclusion: Timing Your Luck

In the big leagues, poker players just hope the dice don’t come up snake eyes too often. Anyone can be good, but nobody’s good enough to avoid it. Consider this: if I fold in the hand I described above and wait for a better spot, I’m also likely to lose, because in the long run, letting others get the better of me chips away at my stack. Even if I’m right and she has queens, my best hope is for the board to go my way (most of the time, it will), and that’s the key.

In poker and baseball alike, the better players know to hang in there, play their odds, and, most importantly, avoid letting bad beats derail them. Luck is always a factor, and knowing how to handle it is half the battle.

Seminole Hard Rock Coconut Creek, one of the largest poker facilities in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale metroplex, has announced a poker tournament fundraiser scheduled for April. This event is part of the Hard Rock Heals Foundation's efforts to raise funds for Ukraine relief.

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, April 8

• Time: 11:00 AM

• Location: Coco Poker Room, Seminole Coconut Creek

• Buy-In: $200

• Guaranteed Prize Pool: $10,000

• Registration: Opens two hours before the event starts

The fundraiser aims to help victims of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, with a focus on supporting children, families, and individuals who have been displaced, injured, or financially impacted by the war. Special guest appearances and giveaways will also add excitement to the event.

CEO's Statement:

Jim Allen, CEO of Seminole Gaming and Chairman of Hard Rock International, expressed the importance of the event:
“Our goal is to help thousands of Ukraine war victims, including Ukrainian children and families who have been injured, displaced, or severely financially impacted, in addition to Ukrainians who have lost loved ones as a result of this terrible war.”

Additional Relief Efforts:

This poker tournament will serve as a prelude to another significant charity event on Saturday, April 22 at Hard Rock Hollywood. The Ukraine Relief Gala will be an upscale dinner event featuring fine dining and live entertainment, with ticket options available for individual seats at $250 or full 10-seat tables at $2,500.

About the Hard Rock Heals Foundation:

The Hard Rock Heals Foundation is a 501(c)(3) registered charity, established in 2016. It consolidates Seminole Hard Rock’s philanthropic efforts under a single platform, with a mission to positively impact communities and the planet under its “Love. Amplified.” motto. The foundation’s focus includes global and local initiatives aimed at improving lives and making the world a better place.

The poker tournament and gala reflect the Seminole Hard Rock’s commitment to supporting those affected by the war in Ukraine while also providing entertainment and community engagement opportunities.

In the world of poker, one moment can make the difference between a profitable night and a devastating loss. This is a sentiment shared by Andrew Neeme, a well-known figure in the poker community, whose wisdom on the game’s unpredictability and the fine line between success and failure is mirrored in this personal experience.

The night begins with a bit of a rough patch. The narrator, having made a questionable value bet earlier, finds themselves stuck by $650, and despite crawling back, they are still down $800 as the night stretches into the early hours. Determining this will be their final orbit, the narrator sits in the Under the Gun (UTG) position with pocket queens. This hand becomes a pivotal moment.

The Hand Unfolds:

• Small Blind raises to $35.

• The narrator, holding pocket queens, makes it $110.

• A player behind calls the $110, and another player, desperate with a short stack, moves all-in for $215.

The action reopens, and the narrator decides to go all-in for $1600, setting the stage for a dramatic showdown. The action player behind, with $1200 in chips, is reluctant but ultimately decides to gamble, calling the bet. The action player reveals pocket jacks, while the short-stacked player doesn’t show their cards, adding an element of mystery to the situation.

The Outcome Is Beyond Control:

As the dealer organizes the $2,800 pot, the narrator recalls a recent conversation with Andrew Neeme and the concept of the “thin line” in poker. Neeme’s advice about poker’s balance between skill, luck, and the randomness of the cards resonates deeply with the narrator as they realize that their fate in this hand rests entirely on the five community cards that will be dealt next.

Winning this hand could not only pull them out of the hole but also leave with a profit of over $500. Conversely, a loss would have them walking out $2,000 poorer than when they arrived.

The Thin Line:

The thin line that Andrew Neeme talks about in poker is that moment of suspense and uncertainty, where the outcome of a hand is determined by nothing more than the randomness of the cards dealt. It’s not about the player’s skill, nor their personal integrity—it’s all about the sequence of five community cards on the table.

The hand encapsulates that delicate balance between success and failure in poker, reminding us that while we can control our decisions and strategy, the final result often hinges on factors beyond our control. The narrator, caught in that thin line, waits anxiously for the dealer to reveal the final community card and determine their fate for the night.

Final Thoughts:

This story highlights the unpredictable nature of poker, where a single hand can either elevate a player’s night or send them home with a heavy loss. Andrew Neeme's wisdom serves as a reminder to players that no matter how skilled they are, they must embrace the randomness and luck that are integral parts of the game.