Today
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.
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.Lilian Welch FTW!
I honestly can’t get enough of this story or Lilian. Great interview!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?
The Triton Super High Roller Series starts today.
And we expect it to be full of glamour and gossip!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.Ask Chris Moorman anything over on Reddit.
Head over to Reddit over the next 48 hours to get involved with the AMA.Love all the poker memorabilia that Chad Holloway is collecting.
PSA for anyone who might have this 2007 retro chip set.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.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. 🗓️Yesterday
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.
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.
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.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.Enter Barny Boatman’s poll.
How do you rate sitting at tables without electronics being allowed? Let the man know!May 11
Will headphones be banned at live poker events?
It’s not a definite, but it’s on the table thats for sure.👏 This, this this.
Fair pay first. Rating systems second.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’.
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.Two weeks until the start of the WSOP.
Where has the year gone? Asking for a friend.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!May 08
PokerStars counts down the most iconic poker players over the past 25 years.
You can only access the article if you are in the UK, but guess who is number one?
In industry lingo, he has an “effect” named after him…
Triton Poker is bringing its high-stakes circus back to Montenegro, and PokerNews has all the details.
The 18-event festival runs May 13 to May 28 at the Maestral Resort & Casino and features some eye-watering buy-ins, including the $200k Invitational and a $150k 10th Anniversary Special.
The invitational is the main event to watch: 'The confirmed pairings already read like a dream lineup. Poker GOAT Phil Ivey teams up with Triton founding player Paul Phua, fresh off his victory in the $150,000 10th Anniversary Special in Jeju, while Ebony Kenney and Kristen Foxen make for one of the most eye-catching duos in the field.’
Fedor Holz is coming out of semi-retirement, Ethan 'Rampage’ Yau is teaming up with Alex Foxen, and there’s a Player of the Year race to keep things interesting.
Dan 'Jungleman’ Cates has never exactly played things safe, but his new 'Raising Hell’ vlog takes things to a new level, according to PokerOrg.
The series opens with Cates arriving in Prague for the WSOP Europe series, planning to win $2 million. Instead, he promptly loses $1.4 million—and that is just the start.
Cates’ wild ride is part comedy, part tragedy, and part existential meltdown. The article highlights his vanishing act on WSOP staff, near-miss at a feature table, and a now-iconic declaration to those nearby:
“I just want to lose a million dollars in peace.”
Apparently, the world of high-stakes poker is as chaotic as it is captivating. If you ever wondered what the downs of the high roller life look like, PokerOrg suggests you start here.
Absolute legends.
And that gold jacket 💫.The new dealer rating system at the WSOP seems like something out of Black Mirror.
I am sure there was an episode a few years back where everyone was rated on an app in all aspects of their lives, and it didn’t end well.
Dylan Linde thinks the new system is a cruel idea, and I tend to agree.
May 07
Shaun Deeb is already flexing his early lead in the 2026 WSOP Player of the Year race, according to PokerOrg.
After finishing runner-up three times and grabbing an eighth bracelet at the 2025 WSOP, Deeb says he has already completed 20 percent of his POY scoring.
Deeb says the points jump from second to first is massive, and with three top finishes from Prague already in his pocket, he is feeling good about his chances.
“If somehow those scores aren’t in my top 15, I’ve won the POY a hundred times over.”
The summer is still to come, but Deeb seems confident that just a couple more deep runs or a bracelet in Vegas will put him out of reach.
👏 Aaron’s not wrong.
Surely that’s the only credible reason. 🤷🏻♀️Oscar Issac to star in new Brian Koppelman series.
The new Netflix series will be set in a Las Vegas casino, and the poker community can’t wait to see what’s next from The Rounders creator.Absolute insane line up.
And those lifetime tournament earnings are also mental!May 06
Phil Hellmuth is doing an AMA on Reddit – get in the mix!
If there is a question you’ve always wanted to ask Phil Hellmuth, this might be your best shot at actually getting an answer.
The poker legend is doing an AMA on Reddit, the first one in over ten years, to celebrate his latest partnership with Octopi Poker, a fast-growing poker training platform.
All questions are fair game (within reason, of course), and there is even a giveaway going on, with some free Octopi memberships thrown into the mix.
PokerNews has put together a list of five poker pros who, in their words, could finally get their moment in the spotlight at the 2026 WSOP.
Shaun Deeb is the reigning Player of the Year, but he’s not the only one in the mix. The article highlights Chino Rheem, who has 14 WSOP final tables but is still looking for that elusive first bracelet. Rheem has already notched up $900,000 in live tournament cashes this year and has made 13 final tables in 2026 alone.Dara O’Kearney is planning ahead for the 2026 WSOP, and his approach is all about embracing the science.
He says that studying ICM and multi-way pots is the latest edge, thanks to solvers finally catching up to multi-way complexity.
According to Dara, “If you play by these, you’re going to win.”
He’s also working on his mental game and how he’s perceived at the table, admitting he used to treat poker a bit too much like a social event. “When you’re in a hand, you should give your entire focus to making the best decision that you can.”
Did PokerOrg take down that Mike Dentale, Nick Palma video?
Todd Witteles seems to think so… maybe at the request of Borgata Poker?Another new poker show coming soon?
Jamie Kerstetter has the details…May 05
Poker player Shannon Elizabeth, best known for her role in American Pie, has found a new way to connect with her fans—and her bank account.
PokerNews reports that in her first week on OnlyFans, she brought in over one million dollars, dwarfing her $247,851 in career poker earnings.
Elizabeth told PokerNews, “I’ve only been doing it a week so far. But so far, so good. It’s been amazing.” She says the move was about staying close to her fans: “I just thought that this was a way that I could connect with them more and get closer to them.”
In between charity poker tournaments and wildlife conservation in South Africa, Elizabeth has made it clear that content creation fits her lifestyle. It seems the fans agree, and so does her bank account.
Chance Kornuth on his top WSOP tips.
It’s all about that analogue life.PokerStars celebrates 25 years with a look at poker’s most iconic players.
As we know, PokerStars is marking its 25th anniversary this year, and the celebrations are already underway with a massive $50 million guaranteed Anniversary Series.
Today, the operator also shared its list of the 25 most iconic poker players from the past 25 years, names they consider among the most influential in the game’s history. We mostly agree with the selections. While the list isn’t particularly surprising, it’s definitely worth a look.
Many of the players have represented PokerStars as ambassadors over the years, but the list isn’t limited to just them; it spans a wide group of legends who’ve shaped the game.
Check it out and see if your favorites made the cut.
WSOP preparation: less solvers, more yoga mats.
Lexy Gavin-Mather is taking holistic prep for the WSOP to another level. As she told PokerOrg, her routine includes yoga, meditation, and a balanced, mostly unprocessed diet. She’s tried everything—vegan, keto, even a fruitarian stint—but now just focuses on balance.
She keeps her mindset steady with morning meditation and prayer, saying, “I really believe in manifestation and in telling myself, 'Today’s going to be a great day.’” Of course, poker still has ups and downs, but she tries to put things in perspective.
Her biggest thrill since last year’s WSOP? A deep run at WSOP Paradise, where she cashed $95K thanks to a strong finish and the vlogger program. And as for advice from her husband during deep runs: “He’s always telling me to get off my phone.”
To be or not to be (a poker player, or content creator)?
Barry Carter has the meme, Doug Polk has the answers.More delicious nostalgia from Chad Holloway.
His retro poker swag is everything!Phil Hellmuth headed to Philly.
Mark the calendars folks. The Poker Brat will be playing in the Deepstack Turbo Bounty Tournament on May 14 at the Rivers Poker room. The poker room is giving away tickets via their daily tournaments over on their app.Kmart’s new poker venture is shaping up.
Not much is known about the format of Kmart’s “new poker entertainment product” — apart from it will be a reality show style livestream — but he’s got staff, and it looks legit.May 01
The old poker guard meets a fresh batch of rivals.
PokerNews reports the National Heads-Up Poker Championship is back, packing the PokerGO Studio with 64 players. Last year’s winner, Sam Soverel, returns to defend his title, facing off against Kasey Lynn Mills in what promises to be a tough first match.
Phil Hellmuth, Daniel Negreanu, and Tom Dwan are all back in the mix after missing last year’s event. The headline matchups include Hellmuth against Josh Arieh, Negreanu versus Dan Sepiol, and Dwan taking on Randy “3Coin” Sadler.
A full chartered jet of poker players is heading to WSOP this summer.
Ok, this might be one of the most intriguing and unique partnerships in the poker world.
So here’s the headline: a full Boeing 787-8 packed with over 250 players, all flying together to Las Vegas to play the WSOP. Yes, an entire chartered jet dedicated to poker players.
This is happening through a collaboration between Japanese airline ZIPAIR, popular YouTuber Masato Yokosawa, and the WSOP, as part of a Las Vegas Grand Tour package.
It’s not just the travel either; the whole experience is built around it. Players can apply to join, and the package includes a direct charter flight from Narita to Las Vegas on June 22, a five-night stay at Horseshoe Las Vegas, airport transfers, a welcome party, and merch.
And as a very cool bonus, they’ll even be playing poker on board during the flight.
Seats are already close to selling out, which tells you how much interest this has generated.
A full plane of poker players heading to the WSOP… that’s something you don’t see every day.