In the 889th episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway, Mike Holtz, and [Kyna England talk about the recent drama involving, you guessed it, Maurice Hawkins and Denise Pratt. The latter claims to be owed $11,200 after backing the former, and things boiled over when she confronted him at the payout desk at the WSOP Circuit Horseshoe Tunica stop.

What's more, the crew reacts to an interview Hawkins gave on his own podcast, him agreeing to come on the PokerNews Podcast before not responding, and then goes one-on-one with Denise Pratt to hear her side of the story.

Mike then shares his experience as the last guest on the final episode of the Only Friends Podcast (they were kind enough to gift a piece of their set to the PokerNews Podcast set), Kyna joins Team Hotdog at the LIPS Spring Festival, and Chad headed up to the NFL Draft in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Oh, and Connor was busy at PokerGO Studio interviewing Jennifer Tilly, Mike Matusow, and comedian Ray Romano during the One Step Closer Foundation's "All in for CP" charity event.

Other stories include Pennsylvania online poker joining the MSIGA merged player pool, Mori Eskandani interviewing PA Governor Josh Shapiro, and Robbie Strazynski & others voicing concern over YouTube's algorithm crackdown on poker content. Check out all those stories and more on the latest episode of the PokerNews Podcast!

The podcast is sponsored by the #1 free-to-play WSOP app. Remember to use the bonus code "POKERNEWS" if you download and play for an extra 1,000,000 in chips!

A new PokerNews Podcast will drop weekly every Thursday at 8a PT / 11a ET / 4p UK time. Remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you do not miss an episode!

Time Stamps
*Time | Topic*
00:15 | Welcome Kyna England & Mike Holtz
01:00 | Maurice Hawkins does a podcast defending himself
06:25 | Maurice wins 19th WSOP Circuit gold ring
07:29 | Denise Pratt confronts Maurice Hawkins in Tunica
09:05 | Was it backing or buying action?
12:05 | Maurice invited to appear on PokerNews Podcast
14:35 | Interview w/ Denise Pratt
25:28 | Sponsor – WPT Global
26:15 | OnlyFriends ends after 719 episodes – Mike the final guest
27:54 | Adding a part of the OnlyFriends set to the PokerNews Podcast set
28:549 | Kyna heads to LIPS Spring Festival at South Point
30:43 | Video – Highlights from the Ladies Tag Team Event
31:44 | Chad attends Round 1 of the NFL Draft in Green Bay
33:00 | Video – Highlights from the “All in for CP” charity event
35:15 | Sponsor – WSOP Free-to-Play App
35:47 | Pennsylvania finally joins MSIGA
37:07 | WSOP releases online bracelet schedule
38:12 | PokerGO scores interview with PA Governor Josh Shapiro
39:37 | Recent Tournament Winners Presented by WPT Global
41:37 | Poker content under fire from YouTube algorithm
42:19 | CardPlayer Lifestyle’s Robbie Strazynski speaks out
47:37 | Mixed Game Festival XI coming to Bellagio June 8-19
48:25 | Kyna headed to MSPT in San Diego