December 9, 2025

Poker’s latest beef. Should service dogs be allowed in poker rooms?

It is dividing opinion. Some think having a service animal with you is perfectly fair, while others criticize bringing them, as it disrupts gameplay.

December 12

Felix “xflixx” Schneiders has been a mainstay on Twitch and YouTube for years, but his latest project is taking poker streaming to the next level: live at the tables.

As Ivan writes, Schneiders has spent the EPT Prague series trying to capture a live trophy for his viewers, but variance had other plans. He reflects, “I think I played really well. The spots just didn’t go my way… I made one call that I’m not particularly proud of, but it was a tough spot.”

Making the jump to live streaming wasn’t always seamless. Schneiders started with just a smartphone, then built up a small team from his poker community. Now, his crew is capturing the highs and lows of live tournament play, even if the trophy continues to elude him.

“Making Day 2 is always nice.”

Whether it’s deep runs or early busts, xflixx is determined to keep the camera rolling. According to Ivan, the community is along for the ride, win or lose.

From online grinder to high roller headliner.

David Coleman entered 2024 titleless and left 2025 with a WSOP bracelet and over $3 million for his efforts. According to Erik Fast at Card Player, Coleman beat out 98 other hopefuls in the Triton $125,000 event to snag the biggest score of his career.

Coleman’s previous best payday was just over $1.3 million, but this win more than doubled that. The Las Vegas-based pro, formerly known for his online grinding in New Jersey, now boasts more than $16.3 million in career earnings.

After clinching the bracelet, Coleman told Triton staff:

“It’s incredible. It’s a hell of a ride I’ve been on. I feel like I’ve been the luckiest guy in poker. I’m extremely grateful, really happy to be a part of it.”

Paul Oresteen weighs in on chop pots and banned players at WSOP Paradise.

His take is well worth a read as he digs into ex-banned player Ren Lin being allowed back at the WSOP, as well as the first ever chop pot taking place during Paradise, posing the question: is it one rule for them and another for everyone else?

The rules are for we, not for thee.

There’s a new WPT Ambassador in town.

Spencer Gore has entered the chat.

Wynn-ter has arrived and so have thousands of poker players.

The WPT World Championship is rolling into the Wynn, and with 78 events in 21 days, it is a spectacle rivaling that of EPT Prague and WSOP Paradise.

The $10,400 main event is the highlight, with players swarming the tables, hoping for a late-season miracle to save their year.

You can watch the National Heads-up Poker Championship on TV.

You can check out the episodes on Peacock or NBCSports. If you have a PokerGO subscription, even better, as episodes are also available there.

There’s no misclick like a $25K misclick.

The $25,000 WSOP Paradise Super Main Event saw some serious drama on Day 1b, with Daniel Rezaei cracking Kyle Lin’s aces after what was described as a 'misclick.’ The hand went down after Lin min-three-bet from the small blind, which had others at the table speculating whether it was intentional.

Lin said it was a misclick, though American pro Aram Oganyan suspected otherwise, calling it an 'angle.’ What do you think?

Daniel Negreanu’s latest vlog covers Day 2 of the $100,000 Triton Main Event in the Bahamas, where he’s in hot pursuit of a nearly $5 million top prize.

Welcome to Day 7 at WSOP Paradise.

The latest vlog walks viewers through everything from his morning routine and table draw to a dizzying schedule packed with hand breakdowns, all-ins, and the occasional run-in with legends like Phil Ivey and Phil Hellmuth.

Negreanu offers a behind-the-scenes look at high-stakes tournament life, sprinkling in bits of humor and reflections on the relentless pace: “Crazy Schedule” gets its own timestamp, sandwiched between strategy insights and updates on chip stacks.

Don’t expect a Day 8 vlog, as he is taking a day off.

There’s still time to try and make the Fair Bet Act a reality.

Although I still can’t get over the fact that someone’s surname is actually Crapo and that it isn’t a joke.

Sixth time’s the charm for Negreanu over at WSOP Paradise.

Daniel Negreanu went through six bullets in the WSOP Super Main Event before finally bagging a stack for Day 2. Turns out, persistence is expensive when the rebuys are unlimited.

“People will lie on taxes”. Erik Seidel, one of poker’s most respected veterans, is weighing semi-retirement after lawmakers limited the ability of professional gamblers to deduct losses in the US.

PokerNews reports that under the new rule, players can only deduct 90 percent of their losses, leaving them on the hook for tax on phantom profits.

Seidel told PokerNews, “People will lie on taxes” if the law sticks, adding, “And that’s not a positive thing. You don’t want to encourage that kind of behavior.”

He remains optimistic it could be changed, saying, “I do think there’s a very good chance, because it makes no sense, that it will be changed next year. But I mean, who knows?”

For now, the ten-time bracelet winner is left hoping Congress folds before he does.

“I exist in a niche.” From football commentary to poker: Rory Jennings’ new comfort zone.

In Ivan’s latest piece for pokerfuse, Rory Jennings, best known for his work in UK football media, discusses his transition from sports commentary to the world of poker. Jennings admits that his journey into poker began as a professional engagement but quickly became something he genuinely cares about.

“I think I exist in a niche… Some of the most famous people in the world in this room wouldn’t be recognized outside. I think everybody kind of has their place.”

December 11

Daniel Negreanu is back with his WSOP Paradise vlog (Day 6), this time documenting his run in the $100,000 Triton Main Event.

The video opens with the usual morning routine before quickly diving into the high-stakes action, complete with hand breakdowns and some classic tournament drama.

Huge congrats to Monika Hrabec on the biggest cash of her career.

Monika came 9th in the $250,000 No Limit Hold’em Triton Invitational at WSOP Paradise, netting a six-figure payday.

All past WSOP Main Event winners in one place.

What an incredible line up!

Jess Vierling shares heartfelt message about service dogs.

This might just be an end to the debate!

Almost 10,000 people decided Vegas was a good idea.

The WPT Prime Championship at Wynn Las Vegas has nearly 10,000 hopefuls all-in for a prize pool just shy of $10 million. Apparently, if you survive Day 1, not only do you get a shot at over a million dollars, but you also get to brag about beating out 9,875 others, plus entry to next year’s Championships. Oh, and the winner gets a cool $1,177,880. Yes, please.

All in the name of balance.

Not everyone minds that Ren Lin is back at the WSOP tables. Berkey thinks Ren has paid his dues and that everyone should get a second chance.

Pads also doesn’t mind that Ren is back, but admits the optics look dreadful.

GG’s statement on Ren Lin and the GGMillion$ debacle from October.

According to GG’s official statement at the time RealOA was caught soliciting real-time advice during the GGMillion$ final table, with pro Ren “Tony” Lin stepping in as an impromptu coach.

At the time, both players have faced swift consequences. RealOA has been permanently banned from GGPoker, the WSOP, and all partner platforms. Lin is indefinitely suspended and has been disqualified from the WSOP Super Circuit Cyprus Main Event.

However, Lin returned during WSOP Paradise, much to the chagrin of other players. To summarize, people are pissed.

Official Statement: GGPoker’s Response to GGMillion$ Tournament Integrity Breach | GGPoker

What Happened During the GGMillion$ final table on October 14, 2025, player RealOA actively solicited unauthorized real-time strategic advice from multiple individuals. Among those he contacted was professional player Ren “Tony” Lin, who responded to RealOA’s requests by providing coaching. RealOA intentionally sought advice to gain an advantage over his opponent in violation of the […]

🃏 David Lappin 🃏 (@dklappin)

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WSOP Paradies, DNegs vlog Day 5.

Because everyone needs to see how much stress you can pack into one tropical poker tournament. According to Negreanu, watching chips fly and millionaires sweat is the new vacation vibe.

Nick Walsh is doing double duty at EPT Prague.

Nick Walsh’s return to EPT Prague is more than a homecoming for the Spin & Go format. As Ivan writes, Walsh bridges the gap between player and commentator, bringing both technical analysis and a bit of humanity to the felt.

“It feels good to be back in the birthplace of where the Spin & Go championship started”

Walsh’s role at PokerStars has evolved, now shaping both the game’s broadcast and its formats. The focus on accessibility and authenticity is key, as Walsh argues that even in the digital era, connection matters. The Spin & Go tables at Prague, buzzing with energy, reflect the unpredictability that drew him to poker in the first place.

Football pundit discovers poker is less stressful than watching United defend.

Turns out, when you get tired of talking about Manchester United, the next logical step is losing chips to your mates on YouTube. Adam McKola claims poker is his new escape—because nothing says stress relief like a room full of grinders and a river card you can’t control.

Our very own Ivan Potocki caught up with Adam over in EPT Prague.

Seven weeks ago, GGPoker and the WSOP made a big show of banning Ren Lin for ghosting a friend at a final table.

According to David Lappin’s latest article on Vegasslotsonline, the message was clear: nobody is above the law. Unless, it seems, you’re a high-roller.

Lin took his seat at a WSOP Paradise event just weeks after his supposed “indefinite” ban, with no explanation from the organizers. The article points out this comes right after the WSOP arranged a chop in another event, despite always insisting such deals are forbidden.

“It’s hard not to read between the lines here and think that this is the WSOP deploying a two-tiered system – one for highrollers and one for the rest of us.”

Whether this is just business as usual or something more, the questions about integrity are only getting louder.

Looks like Ren Lin hasn’t been banned from WSOP events after all.

The poker world seems divided over whether it is fair to let Ren back into tournaments from which he was banned only seven weeks ago.

December 10

The EPT Prague 2025 Main Event bubble finally bursts.

No one was in a hurry to surrender their chips, so the bubble stage lasted for quite a bit. Reporters pacing nervously, photographers running from one table to another, but short stacks kept hanging in there. And then, AK ran into an almighty 9-5 that flopped two pair, and there was no runner-runner to save the day this time around. Unlucky for the AK owner, but there were no complaints from the rest of the field.

There is no such thing as too much Spin & Go action for Nick Walsh.

I had a pleasure to catch up with Nick during the EPT Prague, and it should come as no surprise that a bulk of the interview was about live Spin & Gos, a game format that had its debut right here, in Czech capital. On-demand Spin & Gos have been running regularly every day, and players can’t seem to get enough of them. Walsh is loving it, as it only goes to further show just how much demand there is for the format.

ClubWPT Gold launches “GoldMember” subscription — a play to stay in California?

ClubWPT Gold, the modern sweepstakes poker platform by WPT, has rolled out a new $99/month “GoldMember” subscription. It includes 110 Bonus Chips, the new currency replacing Sweeps Coins, plus access to Upswing Lab 1.0 and 200 Hand Analysis credits. The plan renews monthly, with credits added at the start of each cycle. It is possible that this new model is designed to help the platform remain operational in California, and potentially in New York in the future.

Wait, what? Tony Lin, who was banned by GGPoker for ghosting, is playing at WSOP Paradise?

What happened to the “indefinite ban”? According to multiple player reports and information visible on the WSOP+ app, Tony Lin has been seen playing in the Triton NLH Main Event at the ongoing WSOP Paradise. Lin was “indefinitely” banned by GGPoker in October for ghosting.

Adrián Mateos named one of the world’s top 100 athletes for 2025.

Spain’s leading newspaper has released its prestigious Los 100 del deporte list, spotlighting the top 100 athletes across the globe. Among this year’s honorees is celebrated Spanish poker professional and Winamax ambassador Adrián Mateos, who has also been nominated for the “Sporting Achievement of the Year” award alongside some of the biggest stars in global sports. According to Winamax, Mateos is the first poker player to be named in this prestigious list.

Paradise found, rules lost.

The 2025 WSOP Paradise event took a detour from tradition when Matthias Eibinger and Mike Watson decided to make a deal heads-up. According to PokerStrategy, this is a rare move for the WSOP, where final-table deals are usually against the rules. But the Triton Poker Series collaboration blurred the lines, leading to what could be a significant precedent.

Earlier in the year, the Millionaire Maker event was marred by accusations of chip-dumping and an off-book deal. The WSOP responded harshly:

“We have concluded that in order to uphold the integrity of the game and to uphold our official WSOP Tournament Rules, no winner will be recognized, and no bracelet will be awarded for this year’s tournament. The remaining prize pool will be split between the final two players.”

This time, instead of controversy, the heads-up deal was accepted. PokerStrategy hints that WSOP’s partnership with Triton may be quietly rewriting some long-standing tournament norms.

Headed to the WPT Championships over in Vegas?

Make sure to download the new app to help with registration at all live poker events.

Kicking things off in style for the EPT Prague.

Coming back to Prague after more than two decades, there is no better way to take in the city’s vibe than from a roof-top bar on an extremely warm December night. PokerStars always does an amazing job with these player’s parties, making everyone feel right at home!

Call your representative now

if you want them to support the Fair Bet Act.

The Phantom Tax headed US poker players way.

Leah “Lele” Bella is described by Railbird Creations as the industry’s uncompromising watchdog, not because she wanted the attention, but because she could not ignore what was happening to the game she loves. Her advocacy started with a personal connection—poker was how she bonded with her late father—and turned into a fight for the future of the whole industry.

Senator Mike Crapo’s so-called “phantom tax” slipped quietly into the OBBB bill has drawn Lele’s ire. She’s been writing to senators, mobilizing players, and generally not letting anyone forget what is at stake. Railbird Creations calls her “poker’s most unexpected watchdog,” someone who is “pushing the industry towards its fight for the freedom to play without punitive taxation disguised as policy.”

Lele’s story is less about seeking the spotlight and more about refusing to back down. In an industry where many stay silent, Railbird Creations highlights Lele as the rare advocate who drags uncomfortable truths into the open.

Poker legend Seidel may consider semi retirement next year.

With the US about to impose hefty gambling taxes — which will also affect losing players — Erik Seidel considers other avenues for continuing to play poker next year.

For once, ClubWPT Gold is totally on point.

As they add their two cents to the service dog drama.

ICYMI. Daniel Negreanu took a break from the felt to challenge golf ace Wyndham Clark to a chipping contest, according to PokerNews.

The pair faced off in the Atlantis ballroom, aiming chip shots at a poker table covered in chips—no green in sight.

It started with a $5,000 poker flip that Clark won, followed by some classic Negreanu banter. Negreanu claimed to be “one of the best putters in the world,” but Clark’s golf skills were just as sharp indoors as out, banking a shot off the WSOP backdrop to the crowd’s delight.

Defying the odds, one river at a time.

Anyone who thinks poker is just a game of skill might want to check their math. The 2025 WSOP served up a highlight reel of one-outers, runner-runner miracles, and river cards that made seasoned pros question their reality. Apparently, the only thing more unpredictable than the cards was the facial expressions of Brewer, Foxen, Chidwick, and Lamb.

Yulian Bogdanov is having a week most poker players only dream of.

Yulian Bogdanov had already opened his EPT Prague with a win in the €10,200 Mystery Bounty. But according to PokerNews, he was not done yet. Less than a week later, he bested a field of over 3,000 to win the €1,650 PS Open Main Event for €398,135, following a three-way deal.

His victory came after seeing off Adrian Ziemichod heads-up, with Bogdanov’s pocket jacks holding against sevens.

“This is my biggest trophy. I’m very thankful, because I’ve learned a lot. I play a lot, and that’s a gift for me,” he added.

From WSOP to Squid Game.

Poker skills apparently translate well to Netflix game shows according to Pokerati. Because if anyone can turn a high-stakes elimination game into a meditation on variance, it’s a WSOP runner-up playing for millions on TV.

December 09

Make Nate Great. The newest coaching series from Barstool Nate and Faraz Jaka.

The first episode can be watched here. It covers five different poker concepts each episode, with the pair on a mission to improve Nate’s poker prowess.

Episodes will drop at 7 p.m. every day this week!

Three hours of sweat during the Triton Invitational at WSOP Paradise.

The $250K WSOP Paradise Invitational had all the drama you could ask for in a high-roller poker tournament. According to PokerOrg, the bubble lasted over three hours, with 24th place paying nothing and 23rd snagging a cool $389,000. Daniel Negreanu was left as the bubble boy, busting just before the money in a field stacked with poker pros and VIPs.

EPT Prague Main Event gets underway.

It’s all to play for over at EPT Prague!

Can Phil Helmuth win another WSOP bracelet, bringing his tally to 18?

8-time bracelet winner Shaun Deed doesn’t seem to think so.

When gold and poker legends combine.

Daniel Negreanu faces off against golfing legend Wyndham Clark at WSOP Paradise. And the photos are everything!

Daniel Negreanu’s Day 4 from the WSOP Paradise vlog brings viewers straight into the action at the eye-watering $250,000 Triton Invitational.

The video opens with a casual walk-in and quickly dives into the complexities of limp strategy, tough tables, and what Negreanu calls “ego-measuring” moments among the elite. Multiple hand breakdowns are sprinkled throughout.

After the grind, Negreanu faces US Open Champion Wyndham Clark in a chipping contest, shifting the competitive edge from felt to fairway. As the night winds down, there’s a little credit given to Jonathan Little for capturing some candid moments between poker’s finest.

ClubWPT Gold leaves town—and this time, the door’s locked, screwing some players.

ClubWPT Gold has officially pulled out of New York, as Nick reports on pokerfuse, after Governor Hochul signed Senate Bill S5935A into law. The law not only bans dual-currency sweepstakes poker but also puts media sites and affiliates on the hook, with fines up to $100,000 per violation.

According to ClubWPT, anyone physically in New York has been locked out of their account, but chip redemptions are still possible from neighboring states. The operator had previously warned players to cash out by August, but the law’s immediate effect forced a sudden exit.

A private poker game in Florida turned into a headline-grabbing melee after Eugene Castaneda threw punches at Maurice Hawkins.

According to PokerNews, Castaneda claims the fight started after a debate about Hawkins’ nationality, while Hawkins says it was an unprovoked attack. The story gets murkier when Castaneda admits to retrieving a weapon for self-defense after the fact.

A totally relatable table we can all agree on.

Jk.

Phil Hellmuth is so far ahead in the WSOP all-time list, he could probably nap through the next decade and still keep his lead, according to PokerNews.

With 17 bracelets and a record number of cashes, the Poker Brat is basically playing solitaire at the top.

Scorsese and Koppelman ante up for Netflix series.

ICYMI. According to Paul Seaton on PokerStrategy, Brian Koppelman and Martin Scorsese are set to create an eight-episode casino drama for Netflix. The project will center on Bobby Red, the president of a top Las Vegas casino, as he juggles growing his empire in a modern but still dangerous Sin City.

Mosböck joins the vlogging circus, with a nosebleed twist.

Mario Mosböck, best known for his time crushing Triton poker events and working as a CoinPoker ambassador, has launched a high stakes poker vlog. According to PokerStrategy, Mosböck’s first YouTube video documents his experience at the $200,000 Invitational in Montenegro, where he faces Phil Ivey, Artur Martirosian, and Jonathan Jaffe.

In this episode, Daniel Negreanu joins the PGX Raw & Real show to talk about his journey as one of the greatest poker players ever.

He shares insights on reading body language, what separates him from the rest, and how dealing with failure shaped his career.

Negreanu discusses the mental game behind poker and how it contrasts with games like chess, touches on the evolution of poker, and gives his take on high-stakes pressure. The conversation also goes into his early life, lessons learned from loss, and even what he picked up from his relationship.

'Poker is not just about the cards, it’s about understanding people and situations,’ says Daniel. If you want a peek behind the curtain at how a poker GOAT thinks, this interview is worth your time.

December 08

PokerStars gives players the gift of mystery this Christmas.

PokerStars is getting in the holiday mood, but not before adding a little suspense. Instead of telling you what to expect, they will drip-feed tournament details the night before!

All details in our article below.

Sam Greenwood not happy about the new ICM feature on WSOP+.

And to be fair, he has a point.

cf. WSOP issues reminder: no solvers allowed after 2024 series.

Ept Prague dealers getting some love.

The poker community is loving the EPT Prague dealers this year. But it’s sparked debate as to why this level of excellence can’t be replicated at the WSOP in the summer.

Not long before EPT Prague cards-up coverage starts.

And we can’t wait to sweat along with the action.

Day 3 vlog from Dnegs whilst he’s over in the Bahamas.

Phil Ivey on the bubble, a $100k buy-in, and Daniel Negreanu’s wardrobe choices get almost as much screen time as the poker hands. If you ever wanted to see high-stakes tension mixed with sartorial commentary, this vlog has you covered.

Negreanu Paradise vlog Day 2.

Because if you can’t win at golf, there’s always a $100,000 poker tournament to fall back on. Negreanu’s day is a blur of golf clubs, hand breakdowns, and the kind of casual pressure only a six-figure buy-in can provide.

Catch up on the DNegs Paradise vlogs here.

We didn’t see them over the weekend, but here are the long-awaited WSOP Paradise vlogs from Daniel Negreanu. Day 1 is here.

New ICM feature rolls out on the WSOP+ app.

But will it constitute an RTA? And we thought electronic devices were banned in the later stages of WSOP tournaments anyway?

The invitees took the Triton Invitational by storm according to PokerNews.

There were definitely some bruised egos at the end of Day 1. Meanwhile, Sam Soverel made short work of the $100,000 PLO Main Event, dispatching Andras Nemeth in just 15 minutes. Not a bad day in paradise.

Borgata is back with a winter poker bonanza, and this time the Main Event is packing a $3 million guarantee.

If you missed out on this year’s Borgata Poker Open, don’t worry—there are 75 chances to make up for it in January. Just be sure to brush up on your mixed game skills.

More over on PokerOrg.

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