pokerfuse online poker news

Big news for Texas poker: The Lodge has beaten the charges and will reopen soon. That win has clubs and players breathing a sigh of relief, at least for now.

Momentum from this win rolled straight into an outsized {WSOP Circuit] event at Texas Card House Social in Austin. The tournaments broke all expectations, with new records and even some firsts, like a 2-7 ring and Double Board Bomb Pot ring.

The WSOP was so pleased they’ve already announced another stop in September.

But not everything is smooth sailing. PokerOrg reminds us that legal uncertainty still hovers over poker in Texas.

Ongoing legal challenges remain for Texas poker clubs and operators, as the interpretation and enforcement of poker-related laws continue to be questioned.

By Sam share:

More from this week

Today

More details on the Lodge reopening thanks to PokerOrg.

The Lodge will be reopening on the same day that the WSOP kicks off. Let’s hope it’s an auspicious start for everyone involved.
By Sam share:

The spotlight on Hustler Casino Live wasn’t supposed to be on Scott Palmer Fuhrman, but he certainly stole the show.

The former Congressional candidate, who went by Palmer on the stream, had a session that PokerNews calls a roller coaster.

After being down almost $600,000, Palmer staged a wild comeback, winning a huge $870,000 pot with pocket kings against ace-king and then scooping another $200,000 from Alan Keating. For a brief moment, he was nearly even. But as we know, poker can be a fickle mistress.

By Sam share:

Run It Once Training launches a new tool called Vision Duel.

The new PLO study tool will be free to use for the first 7 days during select periods. Run It Once Training will also give away 3 Vision subscriptions to the top 3 players during this first week of launch.
By Sam share:

Benjamin Rolle, better known as Bencb, is once again teaming up with Raise Your Edge for a five-day poker bootcamp from May 18 to 22.

According to PokerNews, the “Crush Tournaments” bootcamp is designed to help players sharpen their tournament poker skills in time for the busy summer season.

Each day focuses on a specific area of modern MTT strategy, like value betting, exploitative play, ICM, PKO formats, and mid-stack adjustments.

Rolle, a multiple-time SCOOP champion and recent WSOP Online Main Event winner, will run live webinars that include real hand reviews and live Q&A sessions. There’s a mix of one-day and full-week passes, or you can get it as part of the Champions Tier subscription.

By Sam share:

The old guard returning to the WSOP.

We know this is the second time we have run this story, but it is super exciting that Jen Harman is planning to play at this year’s World Series of Poker. Let’s goooo.
By Sam share:

PokerStars is still dropping tickets to its Anniversary Series.

A reminder PokerStars is offering a massive $50 million across the series that runs until June 3.
By Sam share:

Can Jennifer Tilly win the WSOP Main Event?

She’s definitely manifesting it! Plus this artwork is so cool. Just waiting to see it reproduced on a dress she can wear to a Real Housewives of Beverly Hills reunion now.
By Sam share:

DNegs WSOP summer package goes live today on pokerstake.

Negreanu is selling 20% of his action at this year’s WSOP, which starts in under 2 weeks’ time.
By Sam share:

The WSOP keeps expanding their team ahead of this year’s summer series.

The latest news is that David Williams is joining the team as a sponsored pro.
By Sam share:

Yesterday

A lucky player hits a massive 1,500x multiplier playing Cub3d!

The popular jackpot sit and go format over at BetRivers Poker recently made one lucky player very happy. They stumbled upon the rare 1,500x multiplier playing at a $10 level, walking away with $15,000. Just another reminder why so many players enjoy Cub3d games.
By Ivan share:

GTA VI hype is unlike anything we have seen before, but will it have in game poker?

Ok wow, my timeline is absolutely flooded with GTA VI pre-order dates leak, Trailer 3 speculation, and nonstop anticipation. Honestly, I’ve never seen hype for a game reach this level before. Rockstar is clearly building something massive.

Personally, I’ve played every GTA title from GTA III onwards, and GTA VI is one of those releases I genuinely cannot wait for.

But while everyone is focused on Trailer 3 and the November launch window (assuming there are no more delays), there’s one interesting question that I have on my mind: Will GTA VI have poker?

It might not sound like a headline feature for Rockstar’s next blockbuster, but it’s not a random question either. Rockstar has a long history of building gambling games and card games into its worlds, and poker has been one of the most memorable parts of that approach. The best example? Red Dead Redemption 2.

Check out more on this in the article we published earlier.

By Anuj share:

The Reddit WSOP Main Event ticket giveaway is here.

All details of how to apply found in the link!

The Reddit poker community is heading back to the World Series of Poker, and again, we’re sending someone to the biggest stage in poker: the $10,000 WSOP Main Event in Las Vegas.

By Sam share:

Matt Berkey is on the Uncapped Poker Podcast.

He sits down for an over 2 hour discussion to discuss all things life, poker and if he’s moved on from the much-loved Only Friends podcast. Haven’t listened yet, but definitely will.
By Sam share:

Dana White tries an armbar on Congress.

PokerNews reports that Dana White, best known for running the UFC and betting big in Vegas, is now trying to save poker pros from an unpopular new tax policy.

The Big Beautiful Bill, President Trump’s signature tax bill, capped the amount of gambling losses Americans can deduct at 90 percent. That means you could actually owe taxes even if you lost money all year.

It’s not clear if Trump’s administration will listen. But White will be hosting a UFC event on the White House lawn this summer, so maybe he can make his case in person.

By Sam share:

Clubs Poker is running a Spin & Go leaderboard promo running now until May 24.

The top 15 players each week earn a share of 575 SC and a stack of free Spin & Go tickets, simply by playing as many games as they can during the period. The more you play, and the higher the buy-in, the more points you rack up.

There is also a side promotion: play in daily MTTs like Daily 22, Daily 5.50, or even hourly freerolls and you could score free Spin & Go tickets if you make the final tables.

By Sam share:

PokerStars is bringing back The Big Game on Tour, starting this Sunday on YouTube.

The announcement, which slipped out during the €100,000 High Roller Invitational, will see Jason Koon return to the felt alongside Shaun Deeb, Matt Berkey, and some new faces like MMA fighter Sean O’Mailey.

PokerStars never fails to deliver when it comes to The Big Game lineups. This season is no exception, with a mix of hardened pros and recreational stars that should keep things interesting for the next 150 hands. The Loose Cannon role is back, and with this lineup, they’ll need all the luck they can get.

By Sam share:

Today is the day.

Rivers Casino is hosting a special tournament with Phil Hellmuth front and centre. We can’t wait to see what goes down.
By Sam share:

Yaaas Dana!

UFC president is applying pressure on Trump to undo provisions in the “Big Beautiful Bill” that effect gambling losses.
By Sam share:

The LIPs Women in Poker Summer festival returns this June at The Venetian.

And 2025 WSOP Main Event winner Michael “The Grinder” Mizrachi has some words to say about it.
By Sam share:

Chris Moneymaker and Phil Hellmuth collectable playing cards now available.

You never know, in twenty years time these might be highly sought after.
By Sam share:

The Lodge card club is re-opening.

PokerNews has all you need to know!
By Sam share:

WSOP vlogs from Lexy Gavin-Mather set to return this year.

The WSOP means we are going to be spoilt for choice when it comes to content. We won’t be in Vegas this year, so it’s great we can live vicariously through everyone else.
By Sam share:

New promotion on PokerStars on FanDuel via their Dynasty Builder Rewards system.

The Aces Cracked promo running all week for players in the US.
By Sam share:

Let’s all show Ashley Frank aka “Pokerface Ash” some love.

Her latest vlog on the WSOP dropped on her run at WSOP Europe! I haven’t finished watching it yet, but loving the intro so far!
By Sam share:

👏 Stapes joins the WSOP team.

We knew Joe leaving PokerStars after almost two-decades meant he had something up his sleeve. But who saw this coming? I think our @Anuj2212 may have 👀
By Sam share:

May 13

Experience trumps youth in Blackpool.

At the 888poker UKPL Blackpool Main Event, Lilian Welch, age 83, outlasted 317 rivals to claim a £31,390 top prize. Welch, a regular at the local casino, became the darling of the rail as she took down the field and secured a deal at the three-handed stage.

The event had a £560 buy-in and drew over 300 entries, including names like Ian Simpson. But it was Welch who managed to turn her decade of casual play into a headline payday.

'She’s been hitting the tables for well over a decade, and that persistence has now paid off big time, as her triumph brought her a very nice payday of £31,390.’

Sometimes poker is about the unexpected. Welch just proved that persistence, not youth, is the real secret weapon at the table.

By Sam share:

Looking back to last year’s WSOP controversies.

2025 was an epic one. What shenanigans are going to befall us all this year? Hopefully less 9-high-like-a-boss. IYKYK.
By Sam share:

The WSOP hands that launched a thousand poker dreams.

Every summer, the poker world looks forward to two things: the return of the WSOP and the inevitable flood of greatest hands lists. PokerOrg delivers their take with the first half of their top ten, highlighting key moments from Moneymaker’s game-changing ace to Johnny Chan’s cinematic slow play against Seidel.
By Sam share:

Dana White steps into the fight to reverse the gambling loss deduction cap.

UFC President Dana White isn’t just calling the shots in the Octagon, he’s now taking aim at a law that limits US taxpayers from deducting more than a fraction of their gambling losses. In a letter to President Donald Trump, White urged action to overturn the 90% deduction cap, a law passed last year that comes into effect this year.

Prediction markets are taking notice. On Kalshi, the odds of repeal jumped from virtually 0% to 14% before September 1, 2026, and from 15% to 38% before 2027.

By Anuj share:

Gus Hanson on if poker is dying out.

Run It Once has you covered.
By Sam share:

Poker tells are still a thing.

Nacho Cuesta is on a mission to convince the solver-obsessed poker world that watching your opponents still matters. He’s spent five years breaking down tells into a science experiment.
By Sam share:

Lilian Welch FTW!

I honestly can’t get enough of this story or Lilian. Great interview!
By Sam share:

Kalshi bettors are turning bearish on the 2026 WSOP Main Event field size.

As we know, Kalshi, the prediction market platform where users can bet on real-world outcomes, currently has a market on whether this year’s WSOP Main Event will surpass 10,000 entries. And right now, the odds aren’t looking great.

What was once viewed as slightly better than a coin flip after the WSOP schedule release has now dropped to just a 34% chance of eclipsing the 10,000-entry mark again. That sharp decline seems to have happened after the payment methods were revealed, along with the 2% fee on credit cards and PayPal. Maybe that’s the reason?

That said, trading volume has been pretty small so far, only around $27,000 wagered, so this could simply reflect a shift in sentiment among a handful of bettors rather than the broader poker community.

Last year’s WSOP Main Event drew 9,735 entries, falling short after two consecutive record-breaking years above 10,000. Some pointed to softer Vegas tourism numbers and the impact of Trump-era policies and rhetoric on international travel as contributing factors.

Maybe this year rebounds. But for now, Kalshi bettors aren’t convinced.

What do you think — does the 2026 WSOP Main Event get back above 10,000 entries?

By Anuj share:

The anniversary series from PokerStars continues this week.

And it’s overlays galore!
By Sam share:

The Triton Super High Roller Series starts today.

And we expect it to be full of glamour and gossip!
By Sam share:

Another AMA, this time with Phil Hellmuth.

The poker brat is planning to answer 200 new questions during his AMA on Reddit in conjunction with OctopiPoker. Go check it out if you are interested in what the 17-time WSOP bracelet winner has to say.
By Sam share:

Legal drama, grand juries, and a May 26 poker party.

The Lodge Card Club, Texas’ largest card room, will finally reopen on May 26 after being shut down by a TABC raid in March. According to PokerNews, the raid was due to suspicions of illegal gambling and money laundering, leading to the club’s assets being seized and operations halted.

Top shareholders Doug Polk, Jake Abdalla, and Jason Levin found themselves under the spotlight, but a grand jury decision in April meant no indictments and the return of assets.

The club is set to bring back both cash games and tournaments from day one, with the first event being a $50 no-limit hold’em turbo at 10:15 a.m. Staff are being rehired and the lights are coming back on, just in time to coincide with the first day of the 2026 World Series of Poker in Las Vegas.

By Sam share:

Ask Chris Moorman anything over on Reddit.

Head over to Reddit over the next 48 hours to get involved with the AMA.
By Sam share:

Love all the poker memorabilia that Chad Holloway is collecting.

PSA for anyone who might have this 2007 retro chip set.
By Sam share:

Negreanu breaks down the real WSOP action: drafting and deals.

DNegs is dissecting last year’s WSOP Fantasy Draft and tease his upcoming package for the 2026 series. His daily WSOP vlogs are set to return, which means fans will get plenty of behind the scenes action.
By Sam share:

Justin Bonomo had a run back in 2018 most of us can only dream of.

Vanja is asking for your favorite run by the player. Head to the comments for more.
By Sam share:

Build your own schedule for the WSOP 2026.

Gags30 has done the hard work for you, all you need to do it populate the calendar. 🗓️
By Sam share:

WSOP reveals that it will give $100k in bonuses to the top-performing dealers this summer.

The World Series of Poker has come out with more information about its latest dealer rating feature. There will be $100,000 in bonus cash added, spread across all 100 bracelet events.

The top three rated dealers in each event will get to split $1,000, and ratings refresh for every event, so every tournament starts with a clean slate.

Opinions are still divided within the poker community, but adding some extra cash for the hard-working folks that make the series tick certainly helps.

By Ivan share:

May 12

Curious about Allen Kessler? You need to check this out!

The crew at Table 1 Podcast came through once again with a great guest. Yes, it’s Allen Kessler, the man who’s been around poker and gambling for decades, and although people often question how good he is, he must be doing something right.

If you’re curious about the life of the man they call 'The Chainsaw,’ you’ll definitely want to tune in for some fun poker and slots stories, and much more.

By Ivan share:

What to do with a flopped top pair after getting check-raised?

This is a tricky spot that many players don’t handle that well. Jonathan Little offers some useful tips on how to navigate these situations like a pro.
By Ivan share:

Deeb recently claimed on No Gamble, No Future that Phil Hellmuth 'knows deep down’ his WSOP bracelet record is in jeopardy.

Even after losing nearly $100,000 in recent high-stakes cash games, Deeb remains undeterred.

“I always feel like me and Phil’s exact rapport, I’m the one person he can’t just bring up his accolades against and brag about all he’s done, because he knows deep down I’m going to pass him in bracelets,”

Hellmuth, who currently holds 17 bracelets, is still sitting pretty, especially after booking a $14,000 win while playing his trademark tight style. Deeb, with nine bracelets to go, is banking on time and his two WSOP Player of the Year awards to close the gap. The race is on, but Hellmuth’s lead is still safe for now.

By Sam share:

Just another year of high-stakes drama for Tom Goldstein.

He was once a legal superstar and now is a convicted felon.

According to PokerNews, Goldstein won over $1.7 million gambling in 2025, but claims it was all before his January arraignment. Prosecutors are skeptical and have pointed out that he reported over $3 million in taxable income for the year, much of it from gambling.

By Sam share:

Experience levels: 83. Table respect: infinite. It’s the best story of the week!

According to 888poker, Day 2 of the UKPL Blackpool Main Event featured an 83-year-old player who dominated the tables. There’s something quietly satisfying about watching a field of younger players getting outmaneuvered by someone with decades more life experience.
By Sam share:

Josh Giddey isn’t just a rookie on the court. 🏀

Josh Giddey, the 23-year-old point guard for the Chicago Bulls, is better known for his vision on the basketball court than at the poker table. But that might be changing. As reported by PokerNews, Giddey made his first tournament appearance at the Aussie Millions in Melbourne, the city he calls home, but it may not be his last.
By Sam share:

PokerOrg predicts who’s going to win the WSOP Main Event.

Maria Konnikova and Nate Silver’s hats are in the ring, but it feels like a bit of a stretch.
By Sam share:

Some WSOP nostalgia.

This is everything 🔥
By Sam share:

Players flocking to GGPoker Canada, whilst PokerStars remains down.

Without a clear timeline, players are headed elsewhere whilst Stars remains shuttered.

They better not wait too long too launch or it may be hard attracting people back…

By Sam share:

Aria Poker Classic starts in time for the WSOP crowd.

If you are looking for more Vegas action, in addition to the WSOP, this one might be for you.
By Sam share:

Enter Barny Boatman’s poll.

How do you rate sitting at tables without electronics being allowed? Let the man know!
By Sam share:

I’m not crying, you’re crying.

Stapes’ fairwell video from PokerStars.
By Sam share:

May 11

With PokerStars Ontario currently out of the picture, GGPoker is raking in the benefits.

PokerStars has temporarily left the Ontario market ahead of its big re-launch under a new brand. This left many players looking for a new online home in the province, and it sure looks like all paths lead to GGPoker Ontario.
By Ivan share:

Will headphones be banned at live poker events?

It’s not a definite, but it’s on the table thats for sure.
By Sam share:

Free poker coverage? WSOP 2026 has got you covered.

Finally the WSOP realized people actually want to watch poker without jumping through subscription hoops. 2026 will see no more paywalls and lots of free YouTube streams. Bravo!
By Sam share:

Overlay season is in full swing at 888poker.

The 888poker XL Spring Series Rakeless Main Event is shaping up to be a value spot for tournament grinders. The operator set a $500,000 guarantee but is falling short on entries, which means a big overlay is likely.
By Sam share:

WSOP online registration is now open!

With the live 2026 event kicking off in two weeks’ time, now is the time to register. We have a guide to the WSOP Live app to help you navigate all it has to offer.
By Sam share:

👏 This, this this.

Fair pay first. Rating systems second.
By Sam share:

Night 2 of No Gamble, No Future Live put a spotlight on Chris Moneymaker, who ended the evening with $74,400 in profit, showing everyone that he is still a force to be reckoned with at the felt.

He reached nearly $160,000 in chips at one point before coming back to earth, but he kept his top spot on the leaderboard.

Meanwhile, Phil Hellmuth managed a win, though PokerOrg points out it was a modest one.

By Sam share:

Feel good story of the day. Blackpool’s most dedicated regular finally cashes in big.

Lilian Welch has been a familiar face at the Grosvenor G Casino in Blackpool for 14 years, but now she can add a new title to her collection: 888poker UKPL Blackpool Main Event champion.

At 83 years old, Welch outlasted a field of 318 entries to claim £31,390, the biggest score of her career.

The £560 buy-in event saw a prize pool of £151,050 and paid 38 spots, with notable players like Brandon Sheils and 888poker Ambassador Ian Simpson making the money. Welch’s win shows that sometimes, playing for fun is the best strategy of all.

By Sam share:

Loving these card-nerd facts.

Did any one else know these?

I also liked the fact that a lot of common phrases come from playing cards, such as 'following suit’ or 'playing your cards close to your chest’.

By Sam share:

It’s an end of an era for PokerStars and Stapes.

After almost twenty years at PokerStars, Joe Stapleton (who, pun not intended, really has been a staple in the ever-changing roster at Stars) has parted ways with the company. Where he lands next remains to be seen, but we are sure it won’t be long until an announcement is made.
By Sam share:

GGPoker keeps shattering its own records, most recently hitting over 900,000 players online at the same time during the opening of its GG World Festival.

The site first announced 700,000 concurrent players, then 800,000, and finally crossed the 900,000 mark as the day went on.

The GG World Festival is offering $300 million in guaranteed prize money and runs through June 9. Even on weekdays, GGPoker is boasting over 400,000 concurrent players, a number its competitors can only dream of.

By Sam share:

It’s a wrap on the Aussie Millions.

After the event went on hiatus for 6 years, it returned to the delight of the players. An announcement about their next event is apparently coming soon.
By Sam share:

Two weeks until the start of the WSOP.

Where has the year gone? Asking for a friend.
By Sam share:

The WSOP dealer rating debate rages on.

Sentiment on the internet is largely in favor of the new system, that is rolling out this summer. But I still hate it!
By Sam share:
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