This Week
March 30 - April 05, 2026
Today
The latest PokerNews Podcast emergency episode covers Doug Polk’s first public video since the Lodge Raid.
Chad, Mike, and Ben discuss everything from Doug’s commitment to players to the slew of raid conspiracy theories.
Despite the ongoing investigation into illegal gambling and money laundering, everyone hopes there might be a positive outcome, though nobody is willing to put a timeline on it.
The WSOP Circuit event at Texas Card House is still on, so poker in Texas isn’t folding just yet. For now, everyone is playing the waiting game.
What the flop giveth, the turn and river taketh away.
According to PokerNews, the final hand of the €3,300 PLO Mixed event at WSOPE was one that Shaun Deeb won’t soon forget.
Deeb, chasing his ninth bracelet, went heads-up against Frank Koopmann and flopped a king-high flush. Find out how it all went down in the PokerNews article. It’s brutal.
How to claim the new deposit welcome bonus at FanDuel x PokerStars explained here.
Here’s how to claim the new welcome deposit bonus from FanDuel Poker.
➡️ Register for an account with Fan Duel (all players must create a new poker account).
➡️ Log in and opt in to the promotion from the offers page.
➡️ Make a deposit between $10 and $1,000.
➡️ Receive a 100% match, up to $1,000.
Live stream of WSOP Europe Prague Main Events stars tomorrow.
Mark your calendar y’all. Tomorrow the stage is set for the beginning of the WSOP E Main Event and they are live streaming all of the action.The pink diamond Ladies WSOP Europe bracelet has officially been revealed.
Alright, ladies — first look is in! 💎
The custom pink diamond WSOP Europe bracelet for the Ladies Event has officially been revealed, and it’s looking pretty stunning. At first glance, it might seem like a classic WSOP bracelet, but take a closer look and you’ll spot the pink-coated suits, a really nice touch that sets it apart.
The Ladies WSOP Europe bracelet event kicks off in just a couple of days (April 4), taking place in Prague, featuring a €1,000 buy-in and a field exclusively for women.
With so many well-known and talented players expected to show up, this is shaping up to be one of the biggest ladies’ events outside the US. Definitely one to watch!
Get all the info you didn’t know you needed on the FanDuel platform here.
We work hard on these guides to create the best resource for you guys.
If you want to know all things FanDuel Poker especially now it’s the home to PokerStars then check this out!
And you want to sign up you can do so here!
Poker streams keep vanishing.
Triton Poker’s live streams from Jeju have been pulled from YouTube, and it’s not the first time poker content has been caught in the crosshairs of YouTube’s policies.
According to Barry Carter at PokerStrategy, the removal comes with no clear explanation or chance for the operators to respond. The streams, which regularly attract over 100,000 viewers, are now only available on Triton Plus, Twitch, and Kick.
This isn’t an isolated incident. Hustler Casino Live faced a similar suspension last September, and even the popular streamer Spraggy got hit with a false strike mid-stream recently.
As Carter notes, poker channels have little recourse against YouTube’s algorithm and automated bans.
Who else is excited for the Sunday Million from PokerStars x FanDuel next week?
PokerStars ambassador and newly minted US Chess ambassador Jen Shahade will be!
Don’t forget you need to sign up all over again in order to play, even if you once had a Stars account.
Phenom takes a hit, but says user wallets are untouched.
Phenom Poker confirmed a security breach that took their site offline earlier this week.
According to CEO Matt Valeo, the attackers compromised a team member’s computer and made off with $94,267 from the site’s token liquidity pool.
The company insists that no player funds were affected, since individual balances are stored outside Phenom’s control.
“Although this event is frustrating… I’m personally glad to see the system working – players were able to control and withdraw their funds even while our app was offline.”
Phenom plans to restore the stolen liquidity and switch to an in-game currency called CHIP to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Cash games resume April 4, but tournaments will have to wait a little longer. All MTTs that were running during the outage will be paid out based on ICM.
Negreanu is back on the YouTube streets.
We covered it via the PokerOrg article, but watch Daniels full take on the WSOP x ESPN partnership and what he thought of that Krissy Foxen fold that made the rounds last week.Negreanu says ESPN’s WSOP return will bring the hype.
Daniel Negreanu is pleased about the World Series of Poker returning to ESPN after a few years away.
He believes that the network’s storytelling and production, driven by Omaha Productions, will make the Main Event more engaging for viewers.
“I really think that you’re going to see a major upgrade across the board in terms of what you’re seeing.”
So, if you missed poker as a TV spectacle, ESPN is betting you’ll tune in this summer.
Andy Stacks heads to WSOP Europe.
As the WSOP Prague stop is underway, famous faces descend. For the first time high stakes poker pro Andy Stacks will be playing in the event.
Check out his pre-game Q&A below.
Sunday Millions from PokerStars returns on April 12 in North America!
In just two weeks time the Sunday Million returns, this time on FanDuel via PokerStars! $1 million will be guaranteed across two events.
This is all very exciting!
PokerStars and FanDuel have finally joined forces in the US, and Anuj points out the biggest shake-up:
you have to make a new account, even if you were a PokerStars or FanDuel regular.
The upside? Everyone qualifies for the full set of welcome bonuses, even if you’ve cashed in on them before.
New Jersey, Michigan, and Pennsylvania players can now play together, but all your old balances and accounts are gone.
Yesterday
David Lappin responds to Terrance Reid.
A measured response from Lappin, with a call for real effective change to be made for the way staff and dealers are paid at live events.Mixed reactions greet PokerStars x FanDuel new software.
Now that the new PokerStars x FanDuel platform is live, player feedback is rolling in and it’s a split pot.
Some users are praising the software as “user-friendly” and “solid,” while others aren’t holding back, calling it a massive downgrade. As expected with any major update, plenty of players are also chiming in with suggestions and areas for improvement.
It’s classic poker community energy, resistance to change on one side, cautious optimism on the other. We’ve rounded up a few tweets, though the conversation is happening across other platforms too, including Discord.
Early days, but the verdict? Definitely mixed.
PartyPoker appoints yet another prominent player as its ambassador.
PartyPoker Tour has expanded its ambassador roster once again, this time bringing in Barny Boatman, founding member of the Hendon Mob and former PokerStars Team Pro, as its 10th ambassador, with the appointment made earlier this week.
He now joins the likes of Joe Beevers, Barry Carter, Sam Acheampong, Glenn Brown, Natalie Bromley, Rebecca Hardisty, Daniel Garcia, Niall Farrell, Barbara Jimenez, and the Staple brothers as part of the growing lineup.
Adding a bit of April 1st humor, he sarcastically tweeted about the “end of my long and happy association with Party Poker,” saying he “very much enjoyed” his time and “wished it could continue,” before blaming “exciting new project” clashes, a classic tongue-in-cheek bluff that landed well.
Nice touch. Well played!
Minor bumps for PokerStars x FanDuel, but the cards are flying again.
PokerStars Exclusively on FanDuel is officially live, marking a big change for PokerStars operations in the US market.
With the move, PokerStars has retired its legacy software and launched a brand-new poker client. And like any fresh deal, there were a few shaky hands early on. Some teething issues cropped up, leading to a brief pause as games were taken down for emergency maintenance.
But no long delays here, the tables are back up, games are running, and players are back in action on FanDuel Poker.
You need to sign up to play on the new PokerStars platform on FanDuel even if you once had an existing Stars account.
Both new and existing PokerStars players in Michigan, Pennsylvania and New Jersey need to sign up and create a new account if you want play on the new site, housed on FanDuel.
Just so you know, all players, can take advantage of a new 100% deposit bonus up to $1000 plus $30 in free tickets.
A million jackpot just hit Winamax Expresso in Omaha variant.
Well, well, well… Winamax Expresso just hit the million jackpot and it came in the Expresso Omaha variant 🤯
This might actually be the first time ever a lottery-style Sit & Go in Omaha has reached that level. And it came in a €5 buy-in, just wow!
Kevin Martin wraps up his WSOP Online run.
GGPoker ambassador Kmart looks back on the WSOP Online and talks about his wins and where he can still improve.Terrance Reid tries to clear up WSOP Europe misinformation around their 'staffing fees’.
Hopefully Reid’s post will allay some fears that dealers and staff were not being paid fairly.Who named this PokerStarsUSonFanDuel thing?
Ok so… PokerStars has integrated with FanDuel with a new poker platform. Big win for US poker!
Also… Ben’s reaction is perfect: who names their account PokerStarsUSonFanDuel?
My tongue is broken just thinking about it. 😅
You’ve got to hand it to Doug Polk.
Making a personal guarantee to make players whole is huge. He’s said it before, but he makes his pledge crystal clear in his latest YouTube video on what happened at the Lodge.🚨In case you are living under a rock…PokerStars has relaunched as 'PokerStars Exclusively on FanDuel.’
❗️Former PokerStars players need to sign up again with a new account.
🦦 All players can claim a new 100% deposit bonus up to $1000 + $30 in free tickets.
🇺🇸 New three-state player pool connects Michigan, New Jersey and Pennsylvania for the first time.
Mike Matusow not a fan of the Doug Polk Lodge video.
I actually thought all of Doug’s points seemed sound and coherent, but Matusow does not agree.Here’s a first look at the new PokerStars exclusively on FanDuel poker client!
The new FanDuel Poker software is here in the us and it’s worth checking out.Welcome to a new era. Here is all you need to know about PokerStars exclusively on FanDuel.
Thanks to 'pokerprojones’ who comes back with a thread of all threads to keep us in the loop.PokerStars Exclusively on FanDuel is live!
The wait is over! PokerStars has merged with FanDuel. And they are now live in all three states: PA, NJ, and MI, sharing the same player pool.
There are some cool welcome offers and promotions to kick things off – definitely worth a look if you’re interested.
Looks like Phenom Poker has been hacked. And no, pretty sure this isn’t an April Fools.
Today we got attacked by a sophisticated group who was able to compromise a team members machine. Unfortunately, a private key was compromised and the hacker was able to move some site funds before we were able to act.
🚨According to Phenom Poker top brass, player funds are safe.
By design, Phenom (and therefore even a hacker), DOES NOT have access to your player wallets.
We shut the site down as a precaution – we have the team reviewing all contracts, endpoints, wallets to make sure there are no other vulnerabilities.
Not long to go now before PokerStars migrates over to FanDuel!
All the details on what to expect from the software from our resident expert on all such things, Anuj.Jen Shahade shone light on historic abuse within chess, and comes out victorious.
This is monumental. Jen bravely took a stand against the US Chess Federation for their role in the abuse she and other women faced within the organization, and has emerged victorious.
Not only has the lawsuit she raised against the Federation been “resolved,” she is now the first-ever US Chess Ambassador. We are so proud of her.
Shahade’s comments below are featured in The Guardian article published last month.
“It’s upsetting to see how there’s still lots of abuse against women. But I’m tremendously proud of bringing this to light in chess. It’s my biggest achievement because, as in so many other cultures, there’s a long and embedded history of abuse.”
Below is a collection of mainstream articles that highlight what Jen brought to light and how it has reshaped the world of chess for women in the game.
April. A month of Phils and prizes at BetRivers Poker.
BetRivers is going all-in on their April Phil’s Month promo.
From April 1 to 30, players in all four BetRivers states can rack up rewards just by playing as usual. There are daily chances to win exclusive Phil Hellmuth or Phil Galfond bobbleheads, and you don’t even need to opt in.
After a long wait, Doug Polk’s video explaining the Lodge situation is here.
Doug Polk’s video explaining what happened at the Lodge has been long in the making, but it’s finally here. At this point, it doesn’t offer many new insights, but it does talk about some of the theories that we’ve seen thrown around.
Perhaps the most important new fact is that the government has until April 9 to submit the request for civil forfeiture. Without this request, all the money and assets that were seized will have to be returned.
While the future of the Texas card club remains uncertain, Polk has once again confirmed that he’ll personally make all the players whole, no matter what.
March 31
A new era of online poker in the US is about to begin.
PokerStars has officially confirmed it: PokerStars Exclusively on FanDuel is going live for US players on April 1 at 8 AM ET! The new platform will be played on new software, bringing together players from New Jersey, Michigan, and Pennsylvania into a single shared network.
For more details on FanDuel Poker, check out this page.
PokerStars’ current software is nearing its final hand in the US.
Enjoy the final hours as PokerStars’ software will be discontinued in the US from tomorrow, with Ontario following later. The new PokerStars x FanDuel platform will be live shortly, though no launch date has been announced yet.The latest episode of Inside the Mind of a Pro drops us right into the chaos of the 2025 WSOP Main Event bubble.
With 1,476 players left and 1,465 paid, it’s the classic moment where every hand feels like life and death—at least for the short stacks. Winamax’s sponsored pro Leo Margets, sits comfortably with 383,000 chips at 4,000/8,000 blinds, and is our guide through the tension in this episode.
And if you all remember correctly Margets made history that year. What. A. Run.
Wynn has dropped the full schedule for its 2026 Summer Classic.
The festival runs from May 20 to July 13, with the headline event being the $10,400 Wynn Summer Championship and its $10 million guarantee.
“We’re excited to bring players a summer schedule built around big guarantees and a great overall experience… we think there’s something here for every type of player.”
If you will be in Vegas for the WSOP this may be a good series to check out as the date coincide.
There’s nothing like winning at your own party.
Apparently, hosting the tournament is the secret to winning it. Paul Phua, co-founder of Triton, casually swept up the $3.2 million prize at his own 10th anniversary party.Listen to the Ante Up Poker Podcast.
The crew dig into poker’s hot gossip, from the WSOP Main Event returning to ESPN to the mysterious closure of The Lodge. With tales from their Arizona adventure and a baseball-inspired One Outer, this episode is a full house of chatter.GGPoker brings back the big bucks in April.
The Bounty Hunters Series returns for April. The series will feature a staggering $80 million in guarantees along with enticing leaderboard prizes.
The event will run throughout the month, offering a packed schedule for bounty chasers everywhere.
March 30
Deaf NHL High Roller at Irish Open more popular than ever.
Gregory Olson’s win in the €350 High Roller was the headline act, but the real story was the surge in attendance. The Main Event alone grew from 29 runners last year to 224 this year.
This kind of inclusivity at the poker tables is amazing to see.
Gronk shakes up PokerStars The Big Game.
Ivan reports that this week’s The Big Game on Tour was all about Gronk, who had the pros scratching their heads.
After losing chips with a cautious approach, Gronk switched gears. He won a big pot with pocket kings and suddenly decided to play several hands without ever checking his cards.
If anyone knows Paul Phua it’s Rob Yong.
Give the video a watch if you want to get to know Phua a little better who is a regular at the Triton tables and the man behind the training site: Paul Phua Poker.Poker pro and RHOBH Jennifer Tilly turned another year older while filming Episode 17 of Hellmuth’s Home Game, but the poker gods weren’t handing out gifts.
The $25/$50 cash game sponsored by BetRivers Poker featured a star-studded table, yet it was Dan “Jungleman” Cates who walked away with the biggest pot—not the birthday girl.
According to PokerNews, the highlight came when Tilly tried to press her pocket eights, only to watch Cates make two pair on the river and claim a $19,225 pot.
Doug mentions his video on the Lodge will be dropping in a few days time.
Ahead of his high-stakes cash game stream, Doug mentioned his upcoming video, which will get into what really went down at the Lodge.
He says he is awaiting approval—presumably from legal—before it airs, but it should be soon.
WSOP Main Event final table set for August 3 to 5.
I’m still not convinced about the 20-day break before the final table plays out at the WSOP, but the dates are set, and the channel is ESPN.BetRivers Poker: getting max value out of all formats.
Over on pokerfuse, we run through all the ways BetRivers Poker offers value to players through its different game types.
Players in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Delaware, and West Virginia have access to these offers.