At PokerStars EPT Barcelona 2025, Joe Stapleton once again found himself at the heart of the action — not on the felt, but behind the microphone. For the longtime commentator, Barcelona has always felt a little different.

“The thing that’s different about Barcelona is the way the players feel, the vibe at the tables,” Stapleton explained. “You can tell when you’re watching a Barcelona final table. People are more vibrant, more excitable here. Even though it’s intense competition, there’s this camaraderie. Everyone is having such a good time, even when they’re playing for huge money. That’s pretty unique to Barcelona. And for me, when the players are having fun, it makes my job easier.”

The Day‑to‑Day of a Poker Presenter

While fans see him on streams and broadcasts, Stapleton says the reality of his workdays can be both packed and surreal.

The thing that’s different about Barcelona is the way the players feel, the vibe at the tables “Yes, the hours are long, but it’s such a fun kind of busy,” he said. “Yesterday during a break I shot content for some video — I don’t even ask what it’s for anymore. I just say: where do you need me? Stand here? Okay, let’s do it. One day it’s a podcast, next it’s a player party, or voice‑overs. I’ve even had to go to a party as part of the job. That was work. How crazy is that?”

His mornings often start with a run — “a 5k… well, maybe four and a half if I’m being honest,” he laughed — followed by meetings, multiple commentary sessions, and side projects. But even with the relentless pace, he’s grateful. “If the 13‑year‑old me saw this life, he would have been thrilled.”

“Hello My Babies” Origins Story

Stapleton’s signature phrase — “Hello my babies” — has become a favorite opening line among fans. Its origin, he explained, was almost accidental.

“I stole it, really,” he admitted with a grin. “A comedy writer I admired used to say it in his one‑man Mark Twain show. Years later, during a WCCOOP radio rehearsal, I started doing an impression of it as a joke. The sound techs began mimicking me, so I doubled down to mock them. Francine [Watson] told me it had to stick, and it did. To this day, I’m just glad people notice.”

The WSOP Booth

This summer brought another career highlight when Stapleton joined the World Series of Poker main event broadcast team.

“It was an honor,” he said. “Something I never thought would be possible. People are very protective of their brands and their commentators, but it worked out this year that we could partner with PokerGO.

“I actually got my start covering the World Series back in 2005, doing sideline reporting and live blogs. So to be back, in the booth for the Main Event — that was special. It was long days, late nights, a lot of work. But so worth it. To have my voice on the biggest event in poker — yeah, I’d love to do it again. Maybe with one day off next time,” he added with a smile.

Balancing Poker and Stand‑Up Comedy

Stapleton is also known for his second career: stand‑up comedy. At this year’s EPT Barcelona, he even produced and hosted a comedy night with other comics.

“Comedy is different because the whole world is open to you, not just poker,” he said. “But commentary helped me get started. I was already on TV, so I had confidence that a lot of stand‑ups don’t have. And poker gave me a community — when I go to New York and ask for a spot, I can say: hey, if you book me, 20 extra people might show up. That’s a selling point. Without that confidence and support, maybe I’d have quit stand‑up.”

Proving Himself Solo

One moment Stapleton treasures isn’t from the WSOP, but from EPT Barcelona. “A couple of years ago James [Hartigan] got sick, and I had to lead the broadcast myself for the first time,” he recalled. “It was that insane final table where [Giuliano] Bendinelli came back from a chip and a chair to win. I thought: what would James do? I followed his lead in my head. Afterwards, James texted me: ‘I think this is some of the finest work you’ve ever done.’ That meant a lot.”

Other memorable moments include Sebastian Malec’s unconventional 2016 Main Event win in Barcelona — when he strolled to the rail to sip a drink while waiting on a call — and seeing the raw joy of players even when finishing second. “Sometimes those runners‑up are happier than the winners,” he said. “That joy — that’s why I do this job.”

“Magic Duo” with James Hartigan

Of course, most fans know Stapleton as one half of poker’s long‑running commentary duo with Hartigan. Off‑camera, their friendship is just as real.

“We spend a lot of time together,” Stapleton said. “We do TV voice‑overs, tour stops, podcasts. There are maybe three or four weeks a year I don’t see James. We connected early on over nerdy stuff like Star Wars, movies, comic books — mainstream now, but nerdy back then. That’s part of why the chemistry works.”

“I just wish his girlfriend didn’t live in the same city as me,” he joked. “So now I hang out with James and his girlfriend when we’re working, and when we’re not working. Maybe I deserve a tiny break.”