June 18, 2026

🚨🚨 WSOP controversy incoming! 🚨🚨

If any of this is true, there is going to be an almighty sh*t storm coming the WSOP’s way.

June 20

Day 2 of the $50k PLO High Roller streaming tonight.

Tune in and enjoy some four-card action with some of the best players in the world continuing their bracelet journey.

Phil Hellmuth’s markup bet, card shuffler controversy, and more on this episode of PokerNews Podcast.

The trusted crew of PokerNews podcast once more brings us a breakdown of some of the biggest and most interesting poker stories from the last few days, including Hellmuth’s bet against Shaun Deeb, the infamous shuffler controversy, changes to the Poker Hall of Fame, and more.

Patrick Leonard shares his 2c on markup in poker.

Every World Series, markup becomes a hot topic, with the poker community arguing over various staking deals up for grabs and whether they’re fair or not. There are many differing opinions out there, but Patrick Leonard took the time to write a longer article on the topic, trying to explain some of the main aspects of this discussion.

Check out some quick ICM tips from 'Bencb’ and improve your tournament play when it really matters.

ICM implications can be really crazy sometimes, especially at final tables, when those pay jumps start to really matter. 'Bencb’ brings a quick video on how to adjust your ranges and change your strategy for the best results.

Martin Kabrhel and Texas Mike collide in a nearly $1,000,000 pot.

You may like him or not, but there is no denying that Kabrhel is an action player, which is why he is welcome at most high-stakes games. This pot is another proof of this, as he gets his chips in the middle against Texas Mike, flipping a coin for nearly $1,000,000.

Daniel Negreanu is stuck $700k, but he’s not giving up.

Although things haven’t been going his way this World Series, DNegs continues to battle it out. He may be down $700k for the summer, but he’s firing again in the $50k PLO High Roller, mixing it up with some of the best in the world once more.

If you get peckish at the tables, there is a new solution at the WSOP.

The World Series of Poker has launched Caesars Eats, an app that allows you to order food and have it delivered straight to your table. Not a bad option to have, just in case.

Texas Mike is a big fan of Martin Kabrhel.

While a big part of the poker community is split when it comes to their opinion on Martin, Texas Mike continues to support his presence and his antics, convinced that he is good for poker.

June 19

The $10k Mystery Bounty final table plays down to the winner tonight.

Tune in and follow the action live on the WSOP YouTube channel. There is a bracelet up for grabs, nearly $700k in the first-place money, plus the bounties still in play. It will be an action packed evening!

They can certainly talk the talk, but can they walk the walk?

Norman Chad and David Williams had a day off from their duties with the Countdown Show, so they decided to swap mics for chips and join the action. Unfortunately, it wasn’t a very long day on the felt for either of the popular hosts.

Satellites for the $50k Poker Players Championship kick off today.

If you’re looking to get into one of the most prestigious WSOP tournaments, you can do so at a discount, thanks to Landmark satellites playing today and on Saturday.

Jonathan Little jumps back into big action after spending a lot of time playing $1/$3 for his latest poker training course.

It’s back to $25/$50 streets for Little as he takes his seat in the Table 1 game hosted by Justin Young. After spending over 100 hours playing the smallest stakes imaginable in live poker, can he bring his A game to the big table?

Here’s your quick recap of some of the most recent happenings at the 2026 WSOP.

The Summer Camp has been fast and furious, making it hard to keep up with everything. In case you may have missed something, PokerGO brings you a quick breakdown of some of the biggest going-ons over the past 24 hours or so.

Is it time for the WSOP to look into late registration rules for high roller events?

Jeremy Ausmus brings some quality arguments as to why incentivizing on-time registration could be the right move all around, resulting in larger fields, bigger prize pools, and, naturally, more money for the organizer.

There is some crazy good action coming tonight to the HCL Live stream.

Alex Foxen, Rampage, Nik Airball, Santhosh, et al. playing $200/$400 with a $50k minimum buy-in. What more could you possibly ask for if you enjoy high-stakes cash game action?

Check out the biggest pot in High Stakes Poker history.

Records are made to be broken, and we had one such moment recently, when the new record for the biggest pot played on High Stakes Poker was set. And it should come as no surprise that Santhosh Suvarna was involved.

Daniel Negreanu running deep in the $25k PLO High Roller.

In the latest episode of Negreanu’s blog, check out his deep run in another tournament, a few hand breakdowns, and Daniel’s commentary on Hellmuth’s son Main Event markup controversy.

Only five players left in the hunt for the bracelet in the $25k PLO High Roller.

There is $2.1 million up for grabs as well, so plenty to fight for. Alex Foxen nearly made it to the final day, but was stopped in seventh place.

Adrian Mateos has had a month most poker players can only dream of.

Mateos started off with a career-best $6.37 million win at the Triton Poker Series in Montenegro, then strolled into Las Vegas and snagged his sixth WSOP bracelet in the $250,000 Super High Roller, netting another $4.3 million.

The final table looked like a poker hall of fame reunion, with Brynn Kenney, Jason Koon, and Phil Ivey all in the mix. But despite the intimidating company, Mateos outlasted them all and defeated Kenney heads-up.

BetRivers Poker launches Micro Mania series.

Running from June 21 to 28, with over $40K in guarantees.

ICYMI: Dealer error at WSOP Colossus.

How bad do you think this error is??

Martin Kabrhel’s wallet takes a hit, but his mouth still works fine.

Martin Kabrhel might need a new piggy bank after the Million Dollar Cash Game, where he lost big and also managed to ruffle Daniel Negreanu’s feathers.

Meanwhile, Jared Bleznick’s hot take on the Seniors High Roller has everyone talking, though not in a way he’d probably like.

Elsewhere, the WSOP bracelet parade continues with wins for Schulman, Foxen, Dzivielevski, and Mateos.

Listen to the PokerNews podcast below.

WATCH: The WSOP $10,000 NLH Mystery Bounty replay.

The live coverage captures the tension as the remaining field narrows.

“Every knockout could unlock a massive reward as the field pushes deeper into the event.”

High Stakes Poker sets a new record. Watch here.

According to PokerGO, Santhosh Suvarna, Sam 'Senor Tilt’ Kiki, and Matt Kalish squared off for what is described as the biggest pot in High Stakes Poker history.

Winning a tournament to impress your crush? Kevin Martin delivers.

And it looks like his crush IS impressed.

Building a poker community, one qualifier at a time.

Kerryjane Craigie is not just playing the game, she is building the community around it.

As PokerNews reports, she spent the first half of 2026 running qualifiers for the PokerStars Open Namur, taking twenty women from her Ladies Club to Belgium for a festival full of poker and camaraderie. She made sure everyone got a fair shot at the trip, using both monthly in-person and online qualifiers.

The Belgium stop was only the beginning.

Team Hippo will be out in force at the WSOP, with five qualifiers ready for the Ladies Championship on June 25. Craigie and her team are focused on making poker more accessible and inclusive—one qualifier at a time.

Welcome to the Mechanics of Poker podcast: The Mind Set of an Online End Boss!

Dirk “VeniVidi” Gerritse reached what every poker pro supposedly craves: financial freedom and zero obligations. According to his own account, though, the months that followed were some of his unhappiest. No alarms, no urgency, just a lot of time to fill and not much purpose.

He talks openly about how the “poker identity” can become a liability once the game is gone, and how the EV mindset lingers long after it is useful. The episode also covers his comeback after being cut out from his elite PLO group and his thoughts on sharing success.

“When the goal is reached, the EV mindset traps players long after the bankroll stops needing it.”

If you thought walking away from the game was a happy ending, Gerritse wants you to know it is rarely that simple.

Thank you, PokerNews, for finally breaking down the Phil Hellmuth Main Event side bet.

The Phil Hellmuth / Shaun Deeb / Jason Mo side bet and Main Event markup, all explained.

Thank you, PokerNews.

High Stakes Poker history made with $2.4 million dollar pot.

The hand, played during Season 16, saw Santhosh Suvarna straddling with pocket queens and three players each sitting on stacks over $800,000.

Check out the full story from PokerNews.

Seniors get into spat at WSOP tables.

Words were exchanged, warnings were given.

All the news from the Seniors event below.

Reminder: WSOP giving away Main Event entry!

And it couldn’t be easier. Subscribe to the WSOP YouTube channel, fill in the form—as linked in the post—and that’s it.

Leo Margets became the story poker wanted last year, whether she was looking for the spotlight or not.

Her deep run in the WSOP 2025 Main Event captivated the poker community as a whole, becoming a symbol of what female poker players can achieve.

According to David Lappin’s most recent article, Margets is decidedly uncomfortable with the idea of standing for something bigger than herself, but she might just have to get used to it.

Full article below ⬇️

Is Alex Foxen on beam to win his second WSOP bracelet of the 2026 series?

He sits in the middle of the pack of the final table. Play will resume later today.

Don’t forget if you want to see mixed game action at the WSOP vlogs may be the best way to get there.

Jeremy Ausmus vlogs are a great place to start.

The most brutal bad beats in WSOP history?

WSOP Countdown bring you the best.

June 18

It’s an exciting day in the $10k Mystery Bounty.

With only 84 players remaining and several big bounties up for grabs, including the top bounty of $250,000, this should be a very entertaining stream, so make sure to tune in.

There are some fun tournaments taking place tonight at FanDuel Poker.

If you’re looking to get in on some action, Thursday night brings a nice selection of events over at FanDuel Poker. The $100 Nightly Stars is in the spotlight, but there are quite a few more affordable events in the mix, too.

The full schedule for the first-ever international edition of the Irish Open is here!

The Irish Open is going to Australia this September, and although we knew about this for a while, the full schedule for the series is finally here. This is the first time for the legendary poker tournament to leave the European soil, and it should be a fun one.

Negreanu can’t pass on an opportunity to tease his good friend Phil Hellmuth.

Earlier, Phil Hellmuth announced that his son would be playing in the Main Event, with the action available at 1.4 markup, which didn’t go over too well and led to some interesting bets.

Negreanu saw this as a great opportunity for a tongue-in-cheek “announcement” about his son playing the Main Event in 2048, with the early action available at 1.6 markup.

In case you’ve missed the news, DNegs and his wife Amanda are expecting a baby boy in a few months.

Bounties are now in play in the $10k Mystery Bounty event.

There are only 84 players remaining to start the action, and mystery bounties are in play. One lucky player will get the top bounty of $250k, and there are five more 100k bounties up for grabs. There are quite a few big names still in the mix, including Kristen Foxen, Ethan 'Rampage’ Yau, and Scott Seiver.

Get your free shot at the WSOP Main Event seat!

All you need to do is fill in the form and submit your free entry. One lucky winner will be announced on June 28, and since it’s completely free, you might as well give it a try!

Daniel Negreanu’s latest vlog feature WSOP Academy, Martin Kabrhel, and more.

DNegs is back on the grind for another day of the 2026 World Series of Poker as he battles it out in the $25k PLO event and breaks down some interesting hands along the way.

Paul Gibbons has spent decades navigating high-stakes situations, both in business boardrooms and at the poker table.

According to his interview with PokerOrg, the 2025 WSOP Main Event gave him his best finish yet, but he claims his downfall came from hours of small missteps, not just a single unlucky hand.

Gibbons draws parallels between poker and business, saying, “The world that poker players live in is high-stakes decision-making under uncertainty, which is just what business people do, but they use funny words for it.”

During the Main Event, while Gibbons was busy making decisions under the bright lights, his AI assistant Claude was quietly building him a website.

The WSOP has announced a new membership program, WSOP+, and launched the free WSOP Academy app, aiming to give players more ways to improve their game and get extra perks at live events.

The membership comes in three tiers: Free, Basic at $9.99 per month, and Premium at $49.99 per month. Each level unlocks different bonuses, ranging from training tools in the Academy app to discounts at the WSOP store and access to special lounges.

The WSOP Academy app is standalone and free for anyone, but members get extra challenges and features. The Premium tier notably offers unlimited lounge access and exclusive merchandise.

The rollout is part of a push to enhance the live event experience and give players more resources to up their game.

Pressure at the WPT final table can do strange things.

One player found himself with a pair of aces only to be outmaneuvered on the river by a gutsy bluff. The tension built as fearless aggression and perfectly timed raises unfolded.

The moment of truth came when the player, facing a massive bet, decided to fold his aces. The table was left speechless.

Adrian Mateos has cemented his name in the history books with his sixth WSOP bracelet, after taking down the $250,000 Super High Roller.

He joined the WSOP Countdown Show to relive the win and, perhaps more importantly, to weigh in on the state of the game today.

Mateos discussed the pressure of high stakes, saying winning at this level is as much about focus as it is about skill. He reflected on how the poker landscape has changed over the years, noting that the field is getting tougher but the thrill of victory never really wears off.

“Every bracelet is special, but winning against the best in the world adds something extra,” said Mateos.

According to the video, Mateos remains as analytical as ever, dissecting hands and strategies with the Countdown crew, and showing why he keeps adding to his WSOP collection.

Catch Jaman Burton’s latest vlog here.

It’s nice to mix things up and watch something that isn’t entirely WSOP focused.

I Should’ve Left After This Hand… But I Didn’t

In this poker vlog, I head back to the Bellagio during the start of the WSOP to play $5/$10 No Limit Hold’em, and the session gets wild fast. I flop the nut flush with Ace-Nine suited and somehow get paid in one of the strangest hands I’ve played all year — but the momentum doesn’t last. From battling tough Las Vegas poker pros to misplaying pocket queens in a massive 3-bet pot, this session turns into a real-time lesson in live poker decision-making, value betting, bluff-catching, and knowing when your A-game has left the building. If you enjoy poker vlogs, Bellagio cash games, WSOP poker action, live poker strategy, and honest hand breakdowns from the Las Vegas poker scene, this one is for you. Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwsmVceG4i2AK6u3LicPwBA/join #pokervlog -Editing software Final Cut Pro 10.4 with some plugins Motion 5 with some plugins -Current Machine: Mac Studio 2022 32GB Tahoe 26.2 My Channel: https://www.youtube.com/jamanburton 00:00 Introduction 02:41 The Glow up 07:34 Why? 12:54 Shambles 19:10 Wrap up

Tom Dwan has developed quite the reputation, and this compilation reminds us why.

The video rides through his most notorious bluffs from High Stakes Poker and Poker After Dark, giving us a highlight reel of deception. The editing leans in on Dwan’s signature calm demeanor, which only makes his opponents squirm more.

Can anyone catch Nick Schulman for the WSOP POY race?

The Countdown guys get into it!

Calvin Anderson seems to have found the magic formula for Razz, winning his sixth WSOP bracelet and a tidy $357,026.

According to PokerNews, he is now officially the most successful Razz player in WSOP history!

The halfway WSOP roundup you didn’t know you needed.

Thanks, PokerFlops, for this!

Justice for Tiffany Michelle 18 years later!

Adam Levy digs into another poker cold case. This time, he looks at the saga of Tiffany Michelle calling the clock on Paul Snead after a minute at the 2008 WSOP Main Event.

But, looking at the evidence, not all was as it seemed!

PSA: Protect your cards in your private crypto high stakes cash game when you’re at the WSOP tables!

Spotted this while browsing the excellent WSOP photo archives. If the screen names are to be believed, this is a photo of Dario S (Sammartino?) playing a high stakes cash game of Badeucey against one E. Elezra and a Justin S (Smith? Saliba?), with $20k stacks, on an invite-only crypto poker site.

Maybe don’t go full-screen if you’re doing this at the table? Or deploy a partial Annette_15 and pop a post-it note over your cards when your hand is live? Just a thought.

📸 WSOP / Lennart Hennig

The WSOP Academy is here.

Skip the boring textbooks and master pro-level strategy through quick, game-like lessons that you can learn anytime, anywhere.

Credit where credit is due, this looks great!

Martin Jacobson calls for WSOP commentary to be more diverse, catering to different languages.

I think the cultural difference point he makes is a good one. I’d love a 🇬🇧 commentary team, just so the humor is aligned, but I realize that’s madness!

p.s. Winamax are going a great job of providing French live stream commentary! 🇫🇷

WSOP catches a Bryn Kenney poker superstition in action.

What are yours?

June 17

It’s Mystery Bounty time at the World Series.

Streaming tonight is Day 1 of the $10,000 Mystery Bounty. Tune in and follow players as they try to build their stacks to put themselves in a good spot once those big bounties become available.

Showers for Martin Kabrhel!

No Casino Royal this time, but Martin takes it well. You just never know what to expect from this guy.

Not even four-card action is enough to keep Soverel interested…

But, throw in some Buffalo slot into the mix, and all is good with the world again.

Is it the time to get John Duthie into the Poker Hall of Fame?

This is one name that really hasn’t been in the focus lately, but there is no doubt Duthie did some pretty amazing things in poker, and it would be great to see him in the HoF conversation, especially now that there are more spots available. Really great shout from Boatman.

Daniel Negreanu is in the $25k PLO High Roller!

Daniel’s latest vlog focuses on his performance in the $25,000 PLO High Roller, brings a few interesting hand breakdowns, and, as always, some tidbits from Negreanu’s life away from the felt.

Calvin Anderson is looking to add to his bracelet collection.

He’ll be battling it out at the final table of the $10k Razz Championship, trying to win his sixth WSOP bracelet, but there are some formidable opponents in his way.

WSOP launches new WSOP+ membership program.

Okay, this is something new.

WSOP has launched WSOP+, a subscription service that effectively replaces ClubGG’s previous membership plans and brings several WSOP products under a single subscription.

Starting at $9.99 per month, members get access to poker training through the newly launched WSOP Academy, ClubGG benefits, WSOP merchandise discounts, and lounge access during the WSOP in Las Vegas. A higher-tier plan is also available with expanded benefits.

WSOP Academy itself looks like a gamified poker training platform where players can test their Poker IQ, complete challenges, earn XP, and learn through interactive hand scenarios.

Anuj Arora (@anuj2212)

GGPoker’s new Escrow Trade platform—a service designed to finally bring peer-to-peer trading in from the shadows.

For years, players have relied on forums and unofficial channels to swap in-game currencies, often risking fraud and confusion. Now, GGPoker is offering an official, integrated marketplace to handle these trades securely and, crucially, for free.

The article points out that, unlike previous innovations that came with a fee, GGPoker is absorbing the costs here.

David Williams looks super dapper on WSOP Countdown.

📸 WSOP / Miguel Cortes

Blink twice if you need help, Stapes.

📸 WSOP / Tyler Abrams

Three new bracelet winners were crowned on Day 22 of the 2026 WSOP, but the spotlight was on Daniel Negreanu’s comeback story.

After busting the $25,000 PLO High Roller on the first hand of his first bullet, Negreanu re-entered and finished Day 1b with 789,000 chips, putting him in the top 10. PokerNews notes that the second flight drew a much bigger field, bringing total entries to 329.

Meanwhile, Calvin Anderson leads the $10,000 Razz Championship final table with just eight players left, and both flights of the Seniors Championships produced their own drama and chip leaders. As for the $2,500 Mixed Omaha/Stud Hi-Lo, Eddie Blumenthal denied Nikolai Fal a second bracelet, adding a new name to the winner’s list.

The Colossus shrinks to nine, but the payouts are anything but small.

For those tracking the latest drama on the felt, the $500 NLH Colossus finally reached its final table, with the field trimmed down to nine hopefuls and a lot more pressure than a home game. According to the official WSOP highlight video, Justin Smith ended up topping the field, taking home $550,000, while Myles German and Victor Chong rounded out the top three with $367,000 and $278,000 respectively.

The rest of the payouts were nothing to sneeze at either. Alan Wang, Jose Orozco, and Karabet Keshishyan found themselves in the middle of the pack, while Andrew Sanchez, Eric Baldwin, and Min Ji rounded out the final nine.

According to Jeremy Ausmus, the $10K Stud Championship at the WSOP was the perfect place to flip a brutal start to the summer.

After firing several bullets and getting nothing in return, Ausmus decided to late reg the event at the Paris Horseshoe and play it cool. His plan? Preserve energy, play the max, and stay ready for whatever came his way.

The video tracks his run as he moves from 60K to over 200K chips, navigates the money bubble, and finds himself at 350K by dinner break. “Post-break heater” is how he describes what happened next, as the chips start flying his way and the field shrinks to just 18, then 11, and finally down to the final 8.

Day 2 brings the real pressure, but Ausmus keeps things straightforward. He makes it to the final table, then to four-handed play, and eventually, the end of the run. Sometimes, all it takes is one tournament to turn the whole series around.

Schulman explains why he just can’t quit the World Series.

Nick Schulman sits down with Donnie Peters to break down the highlights from the 2026 World Series of Poker weekend. The podcast leans into Schulman’s take on what keeps pros coming back to the felt, and whether motivation is more about chasing bracelets or just surviving the grind.

According to Schulman:

“It’s always about the next hand, the next tournament. The game keeps you honest.”

Is the Poker Hall of Fame just swapping one problem for another?

The WSOP now lets up to six people in each year, using a system that starts with public nominations and ends with a vote from current Hall of Famers. That means more action, but also more questions about who actually deserves a spot.

One of the main concerns is that public voting could leave some lesser-known but highly accomplished players out in the cold.

Read the full article below ⬇️

The $250,000 Super High Roller at the WSOP is always a spectacle, but this time the spotlight shifted to the commentary booth.

Jared Bleznick, known for his candid style, spent much of the livestream criticizing the production team for showing coverage of the $5,000 Seniors event during the high roller final table.

Even after a calm explanation from co-commentator Ali Nejad about the stream format, Bleznick continued to voice his complaints, at one point removing his headset in protest until the Super High Roller coverage resumed.

“Blez was disrespectful not only to WSOP production, but also to his fellow commentators,” wrote ACR Poker Team Pro Drew 'BetOnDrew’ Gonzalez.

Some in the poker community felt Bleznick’s comments were out of line, especially considering the friends and family of the Seniors players who were likely tuning in.

The split reaction has left the poker world debating where the line should be drawn between authentic commentary and respect for all players on the stage.

Gus Hansen for the Poker Hall of Fame?

Eli Elezra thinks so. Again, his poker resume is hard to deny.

Adrian Mateos answers quick fire questions on WSOP Countdown.

Honestly, I’m not sure why the First World War gets a mention. Maybe it’s American humor?

There was loads of debate on the Dealer Appreciation Program ahead of the WSOP rolling it out.

Now, a dealer won a top prize and we get to hear from him directly. It’s hard to hate the idea after watching this.

Was the Chess cheating scandal of 2022 an omen for 2026? Jen Shahade thinks so.

Get her take on AI and why it is eroding trust, below.

Chess has been dealing with superhuman AI for decades.

The WSOP Player of the Year race keeps changing, which makes for an exciting sweat.

Shaun Deeb slips to 7th place, while Nick Schulman takes the top spot from Alex Foxen.

Justin Bonomo’s politics might not be to everyone’s taste, but his poker résumé is undeniable.

Agree with this take. Justin sits in position 6 on the All Time Hendon Mob Money List, which should mean an auto nomination for the Poker Hall of Fame.

Martin Kabrhel voting for Shuan Deeb for Poker Hall of Fame.

It’s hard to disagree looking at Shaun’s stats, but there’s some really tough competition like Jason Koon, who arguably is more high profile and has done more for the game. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Some really thoughtful insights from Lance Bradley here on the WSOP coverage this year.

WSOP organizers could take some good notes from this!

5 WSOP Ladies event tickets to be given away by Esther Taylor.

Go visit her site heredgeacademy.com and tell Esther why you deserve the seat, and you might be one of the lucky winners.

June 16

It’s the Colossus final table on the program tonight.

From over 16,000 players down to just nine remaining. The Colossus reaches its big conclusion tonight, and you can watch it live as players duke it out for the bracelet and the first place worth $550,000. What more could you ask for from a $500 tournament?

It happens to the best – Men “The Master” Nguyen misreads his hand.

Nguyen was pretty confident he rivered a flush and got upset that the dealer killed his hand, but it turns out there was no dealer mistake to speak of in this particular instance.

Apparently, you can only withdraw once from your Paris tournament account.

Once more, Kevmath comes through, answering an important question regarding players’ funds held in their WSOP tournament account. Only one withdrawal is available during the series.

Greg Reymer is still going at it.

The 2004 WSOP Main Event champ is still in the mix, shuffling chips, pulling bluffs, and chasing after bracelets. 'The Fossilman’ has no plans of quitting any time soon.

Allen Kessler has some questions about the new Poker Hall of Fame nomination process.

It does seem like the players who are better known to the public get an upper hand, but it also gives fans an opportunity to be actively involved in the process. There are certainly pros and cons, but having fans of the game directly included should be a net positive.

It’s was just one of those days for Daniel Negreanu…

A whole new vlog from DNegs is here, and this one brings quite a rollercoaster of emotions, showing that poker, as fun as it may be most of the time, can get frustrating at times, even for the best of the best.

The Colossus final table is finally formed.

From over 16,000 entries, only nine remain in this year’s Colossus, and they’re coming back today to battle it out for the bracelet and the first place of $550k! Among them is a five-time bracelet winner Eric Baldwin in search of his sixth gold.

PokerStars wants your vote for Jason Koon in the Poker Hall of Fame.

If you want to vote for him, you can follow their links.

Yasss Elaine Wynn! 👏

This is awesome!

The Big Game on Tour’s first Loose Cannon for Season 3, Andy Taylor, had a rough ride through a table of heavy hitters including Shaun Deeb, Jason Koon, and Matt Berkey.

Ivan at pokerfuse reports that Andy did well to not lose more than he did, especially after a tough spot against Koon knocked him back to his starting $50k.

With the rules stating he could only keep profits over his buy-in, Andy found himself with just over $48,000 going into the final hand.

As Ivan writes, 'he reached the very final hand of the session, sitting with just over $48,000 in front of him.’ Despite some last minute action set up by blind raises and aggressive pots, Andy ended up almost exactly where he started.

Read all ⬇️

GGPoker has quietly launched Escrow Trade, a new feature that lets players buy and sell tournament tickets, Cash Dollars, and other in-game currencies directly on the platform.

According to Anuj’s report on PRO, this move aims to reduce the risks that come with informal player-to-player trades that usually happen on third-party forums and chat groups.

The system works by holding the traded asset in escrow until both sides agree and payment is confirmed. GGPoker acts as the intermediary and claims not to charge a fee for the service. The company says this is a safer way for players to trade, noting that informal deals have often led to lost funds and other issues.

“While the poker community is largely built on trust, informal P2P trading carries real risk. There is no protection if the other party disappears, no recourse if a trade goes wrong, and no way to verify the person on the other side is who they claim to be.”

Players in the UK will have to sit this one out, as peer-to-peer transfers are prohibited there.

The Catch the World Series of Poker’s $250,000 No-Limit Hold’em Super High Roller highlights.

It is a final table that draws the best of the best, or at least the richest of the rich.

'The $250,000 No-Limit Hold’em Super High Roller represents the pinnacle of the high-stakes tournament scene, attracting many of the best players in the world to compete for one of the summer’s most coveted titles.’

For those who can’t make it to Las Vegas or scrape together a quarter million for a buy-in, the replay is the next best seat in the house.

Andrew Neeme hits the road with a $14,000 pot and a session giveaway that lets viewers grab a slice of the action.

According to his video, all you need to be eligible is an account with his code and at least a dollar in it, which is almost easier than making a cup of coffee.

Allen Kessler wants to go on Brian Rast’s podcast.

Let’s make it happen, people!

Few debates get poker players more animated than the annual Hall of Fame picks, and this year is no different.

PokerOrg’s Craig Tapscott and Mike Patrick asked some of the game’s biggest stars for their unofficial ballots, and the answers did not disappoint.

Esther 'ETay’ Taylor is firmly on Team Shaun Deeb, calling him “one of the best tournament players in the world” and giving a nod to JJ Liu as her sleeper.

Bryn Kenney, meanwhile, sees Jason Koon as the favorite for induction with Deeb as his backup. Brian Rast, inducted last year, is staying tight-lipped, while Norman Chad admits he’s got no clue this time around.

Public nominations for the 2026 shortlist are open, so if you’ve got a favorite, now’s the time to speak up.

Loving these Kristen Foxen, Adrian Mateos stats from Tim Duckworth.

Are these the best No Limit Hold’em players we’ve ever seen? It’s getting that way!

In the course of a month Winamax’s Adrian Mateos wins the Triton Invitational and WSOP high roller.

That’s over $10 million in live tournament winnings in one month! Absolute 🐐.

Bloody hell, get the guy stripped of his place in the Poker Hall of Fame immediately.

Or else it gives zero credibility to the institution.

If you were enjoying the Chris Moneymaker WSOP vlogs, you may be in for some disappointment.

It seems the World Cup is taking precedence as Moneymaker hits the road to follow the matches.

Let’s hope his guest editor role at PokerOrg won’t be affected 👀.

This! Adrian Mateos has a better month than some of us do in a lifetime.

Mateos now has 6 WSOP bracelets and moves to 5th on the Hendon Mob All Time Money List (according to Winamax). The Hendon Mob still has him in 7th place, but it may not have been updated yet.

This broke the cardinal rule: if you’re going to churn out some offensive AI slop, it at least has to be funny.

Like him or not, Martin Kabhrel does not deserve this; I’m offended for him!

Looks like Will Kassouf will be headed to the WSOP this year.

The polarizing poker player has confirmed to PokerNews that he will be back at the World Series at the end of June. Earplugs at the ready, guys!

The perfect post from GGpoker’s Kevin Martin.

#NeverForget 😂

WSOP coverage gets some upgrades.

The people spoke and the WSOP listened.

June 15

Streaming tonight: the $250k Super High Roller final table!

They’ll be fighting it out for the bracelet and the $4.3 million first prize. It’s a stacked final table, as one would expect, with Bryn Kenney coming back as one of the large stacks. Also in the mix are Jason Koon and Adrian Mateos.

Should “high-stakes” be one of the criteria for the Poker Hall of Fame?

Playing at high stakes is currently one of the things on the list of requirements for poker players to be considered for the Hall of Fame. But not everyone agrees with it.

You should never bet against Nick Schulman as long as he has chips in front of him.

While he may be on the short stack, Nick Schulman will certainly do his best to spin it up and get in the contention for another bracelet in the $10k Big O Championship. And Schulman’s best is pretty good!

Brad Owen is on the bracelet hunt.

We are used to seeing cash game action on Brad’s vlogs, but this one is all about his efforts in the $10k Omaha 8 WSOP Championship. Owen has been working on improving his mixed game skills, and this is a great way to put his newly acquired knowledge to the test.

Alex Foxen is now leading the Player of the Year race.

After taking down the $10k Super Turbo event, Foxen has leaped to the front of the WSOP Player of the Year race. It looks like we’ll have another exciting battle for the winner, as there is much more action to go before the race wraps up in December.

Daniel Negreanu is all over the place in his latest vlog.

It’s quite a day for DNegs at the World Series of Poker, as he goes from playing in the $250k high roller to a $10k Super Turbo to an $800 event. No one can accuse him of not grinding hard this summer.

WPT Global continues to expand its tournament schedule, this time adding two Sunday-only Grand Prix Europe Opener events.

The platform is focusing on affordable buy-ins with sizable guarantees, offering both a $22 entry for the $3,000 prize pool and a $220 entry for $7,500 guaranteed.

Both tournaments feature deep 200 big blind starting stacks and are timed to run just under six hours. Satellites are also available for the flagship events, making them accessible to a wider player pool.

Phil Hellmuth has a point.

His stats at this year’s WSOP are something else!

Official WSOP merch is here to stay.

They even rolled out Jack Binion for the grand opening.

The Chip Race episode we’ve been waiting for.

It’s an incredible line up with Tyler Poker, Leo Margets and Jeff Platt all being interviewed.

Nicholas Hellmuth, the 23-year-old son of Phil Hellmuth, is officially taking a shot at professional poker.

Despite his mother’s best efforts to steer him away from the felt, Nicholas has found himself drawn to the same tournaments that made his father famous.

He recently entered Event #34: $500 COLOSSUS at the WSOP and told PokerNews, 'My mom made a very conscious effort to push us away from poker, especially as we turned old enough to start gambling.’

While Nick and his brother Philip III both play poker, Nicholas emphasizes that competing at his dad’s level isn’t his focus.

Phil Hellmuth, with his 17 bracelets and $31 million in tournament winnings, casts a long shadow, but Nick seems content carving out his own path.

PokerNews covers Mike Holtz’s second WSOP bracelet win, describing his victory in the $1,500 Super Turbo Bounty as memorable, thanks in no small part to an especially lively group of supporters.

Holtz, joined by Ben Ludlow and guest Jeff Madsen, recaps the final table run and discusses whether his vocal rail helped push him over the finish line.

Holtz’s celebration is described as among the most epic in recent memory, with Ludlow and Madsen both on hand to add to the noise. The podcast also touches on Maurice Hawkins’ deep run and offers some strategic insights into super turbo events.

WSOP Poker Hall of Fame voting season: votes open.

PokerStrategy’s Barry Carter reports that the Poker Hall of Fame is once again asking fans for their nominations for the 2026 inductee. You have until June 20 to nominate your favorite, but as Carter points out, there is only one spot open, despite calls to induct more than one player per year.

This year, Shaun Deeb is the clear frontrunner according to the article. He has eight bracelets and two WSOP Player of the Year titles, not to mention leading the current Player of the Year race. Carter notes, “Like almost anything where Shaun Deeb is concerned, you simply would not bet against him.”

Still, the process remains the same: nominations, a shortlist, then the final vote by Hall of Fame members. Unless the rules change, only one will get in. So if you have a dark horse in mind, you might want to start campaigning now.

The secret life of the staked poker pro.

Jeremy Ausmus takes a deep dive into the world of high-stakes poker staking. According to the video, most tournament pros aren’t actually broke, even if they’re getting staked.

It’s more about reducing risk, keeping a healthy bankroll, and sometimes just making life easier when you have other responsibilities like kids.

He breaks down how makeup works, why even top players take backing deals, and how the myth of the 'trust fund baby’ doesn’t really match up with reality. There’s also a discussion of the new tax laws that are making life harder for pros, and why selling pieces is different from getting staked.

If you thought everyone at the final table was playing entirely for themselves, think again.

Nick Schulman keeps stacking bracelets, insists he’s just getting started.

Nick Schulman has claimed his eighth World Series of Poker bracelet topping a field of 780 players in the $1,500 H.O.R.S.E event. That adds another $183,366 to his poker winnings.

At just 41 years old, Schulman told PokerNews:

“I dedicate a lot of my life to the game, I feel like I am just getting into my prime.”

Watch Alex Foxen win WSOP bracelet number 4.

But does anyone else find this a tad underwhelming?

WE CAN’T UNSEE THIS. And now neither can you.

The latest WSOP Countdown Show dives into Yuri Dzivielevski’s career-defining win and his ongoing campaign for Player of the Year honors. The panel also discusses the $250,000 Super High Roller and Daniel Negreanu’s latest deep run at the tables.

But the real twist comes courtesy of Martin Kabrhel, whose unconventional eating habits become the talk of the show. According to the panel, 'Kabrhel’s unique technique left everyone speechless,’ making this one of the strangest moments of the summer.

Instead of the usual hand analysis, the episode spends time dissecting a moment that had nothing to do with the cards, and everything to do with dinner. For anyone keeping score, it’s not always about the poker at the World Series.

Alex Foxen has won the WSOP $10,000 Super Turbo Bounty No-Limit Hold’em. 🎉

Less than a week after his wife, Krissy Foxen, won her 6th WSOP bracelet, Alex wins his 4th!

Garrett Adelstein votes for Jason Koon for Poker Hall of Fame.

What do you think? Honestly, Koon does seem like a top contender for induction.

Josh Arieh’s pitch for the Poker Hall of Fame.

Read his origin story, and if you think he is deserving, you can follow the links and vote.

Justin Bonomo’s origin story.

If you think Bonomo deserves to be in the Poker Hall of Fame, you can vote for him below.

Eligible poker layers start the self-promotion as WSOP Poker Hall of Fame nominations open.

You can vote for Jeremy Ausmus here.

Katie Stone coming in hot on Jeff Platt.

Stone asks if a quad view is possible for WSOP coverage, but then comes in a bit too hot when man-of-the-people Jeff Platt asks for more specifics.

It’s worth digging into the chat, as Stapes adds his two cents.

Patrick Leonard praises Brian Rast and Phil Laak’s podcast, calling it the best poker podcast he has ever listened to.

We’ve already shared a link to this podcast before, but now, with such glowing praise from Pads, here it is again.

Who’s getting your Poker Hall of Fame vote?

The WSOP Countdown crew get into it with Nick Schulman.

Don’t love this exchange between Martin Kabrhel and Daniel Negreanu.

I think it’s fair for Dnegs to point out that Martin needs to quit talking, but to get affronted that Kabrhel is in “his space” seems over the top.

Eeesh, Martin Zamani and Martin Kabrhell get heated during recent WSOP hand.

To be fair to Zamani, we’d have wanted to shout back too!

BetRivers Poker has decided that the best way to celebrate World Cup season is to make poker even more hands-off.

Their new World Soccer Tournament Predictor lets you qualify for daily freerolls just by playing a single poker hand or tournament.

Once you’re in, you pick a team in the daily match and enter the corresponding Flip-A-Ment. The best part?

You don’t even have to show up – the tournament plays itself. Each correct prediction lands you a point on the leaderboard. Make five predictions and you’ll score a seat in the $5,000 Grand Final Freeroll.

“With freeroll prize pools ranging from $250 to $5,000 and all tournaments organized as Flip-A-Ments that don’t require actual play, the World Soccer Tournament Predictor is about to make this summer a whole lot hotter.”

Tune in for Day 2 of the $250k Super High Roller.

The largest buy-in event continues today, and you can tune in for Day 2 action and watch it all go down live!

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