In the 895th episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway is joined by Mike Holtz and four-time bracelet winner Jeff Madsen to dive into the world of the ultra-rich at the World Series of Poker. Which billionaires have participated in the WSOP over the years? How much money has the WSOP actually awarded? And who are the wealthiest players at the tables today?

After introducing the topics, Chad, Mike, and Jeff take a deep dive into WSOP statistics to determine just how many billions the World Series of Poker has awarded to players over the last five decades.

They also take a closer look at some of the most ultra-wealthy poker players and face off in a special WSOP Billionaire trivia challenge to see who knows the most about poker’s richest.

In the second half of the episode, Chad sits down with two prominent voices in the high-stakes scene to further peel back the curtain on poker’s elite.

First up is author Michael Craig, best known for writing The Professor, the Banker, and the Suicide King: Inside the Richest Poker Game of All Time. The 2006 book explores the legendary high-stakes battle between billionaire Andy Beal and a syndicate of top pros at the time including Phil Ivey, Jen Harman, and Howard Lederer.

Craig’s book is widely regarded as one of the best poker books of all time — if you haven’t checked it out, you can find more information below.

Learn More About Craig's Famous Book

Next, Chad connects with veteran Dutch high-stakes player Wouter Beumers, better known under his online alias 'MMAsherdog'. Beumers has crushed the top online stakes for years and regularly offers insights into the high-stakes grind through his X account.

To close out the show, Beumers shares some incredible stories and personal reflections from his time battling at the top of the online and live poker world.

A new PokerNews Podcast will drop twice a week during the 2025 WSOP every Thursday and Sunday at 8a PT / 11a ET / 4p UK time. Remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you do not miss an episode!

Tell us who you want to hear from. Let us know what you think of the show — tweet about the podcast using #PNPod, and be sure to follow Chad Holloway on X.

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!

Subscribe to the PokerNews Podcast on Apple Podcasts here! You can also find us on Spotify as well as our new page on SoundCloud!

In the 894th episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway, is joined by Mike Holtz, Christina Gollins, and Joey Ingram to draft their favorite teams for the 2025 World Series of Poker.

Each of the four hosts can pick seven players and one alternate player who will score points throughout the 2025 WSOP. The hosts need to follow several rules, such as drafting at least one female poker player, and one poker vlogger/creator, as well as adding an alternate that they can swap in for any of their seven players.

The rules of this draft are simple:

Only live bracelets count for points.

Who are the 'blue chip', slam dunk, first-round pick players in this draft? And who is picked lower than they should? Find out in this episode what Chad, Mike, Christina, and Joey's favorite WSOP teams for the series are. This draft follows a very simple concept that can be recreated at home if you're interested in adding a little extra sweat during the series!

If you're interesting in upping the ante a bit and adding a bit more complexity to your WSOP fantasy, check out our dedicated $25K Fantasy Draft blog on PokerNews to learn more about this widely popular draft format hosted by Daniel Negreanu and David "ODB" Baker.

Inside Daniel Negreanu's $25K WSOP Fantasy Draft

Subscribe to the PokerNews Podcast on Apple Podcasts here! You can also find us on Spotify as well as our new page on SoundCloud!

In the 893rd episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway, Mike Holtz, and Kyna England celebrate Jeff Madsen's 40th birthday before talking about two poker players who murdered their parents. Recently in Texas, Benjamin Frakes, 39, was taken into custody at Doghouse Poker Club in Cypress, a town 25 miles northwest of Downtown Houston. He was charged with capital murder for allegedly shooting his parents.

The tragic situation was reminiscent of poker player Ernie Scherer, who was convicted in 2011 of killing his parents in an elaborate plot to collect an inheritance. It's a true crime story that's been featured on 48 Hours but often overlooked by the poker world, that is, until the crew takes a look back in history and shares details of the horrific crime.

Chad then offers a behind-the-scenes look at Daniel Negreanu's 25K Fantasy Draft, including an interview with the man himself, before recapping recent tournament winners from the Triton Montenegro, including Jesse Lonis, Jason Koon, and Aleksa Pavicevic. Other stories covered include the return of the PokerStars Big Game and a preview of the Bar Poker Open coming to the Golden Nugget Las Vegas from June 8-13.

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 [I]PokerNews[/I] Podcast will drop twice a week during the 2025 WSOP every Thursday and Sunday 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*
00:00 | Welcome to the show
01:02 | Celebrating Jeff Madsen’s 40th birthday!
03:06 | Texas poker player accused of murdering parents
05:02 | Reminiscent of poker player Ernie Scherer
08:49 | How would Kyna fare in a women’s prison?
11:24 | Daniel Negreanu’s 25K Fantasy Draft
15:05 | Sponsor – WSOP Free-to-Play App
15:50 | The Return of PokerStars Big Game
20:16 | Recent Tournament Winners Presented By WPT Global
20:31 | Jesse Lonis wins Triton Montenegro Main Event
21:23 | Jason Koon Wins 11th Triton Title
22:24 | Aleksa Pavicevic wins Triton $200K Invitational
24:13 | Bar Poker Open coming to Las Vegas from June 8-13
27:21 | What’s Coming Up on the PokerNews Podcast?

In the 892nd episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway, Mike Holtz, and Kyna England talk about the counterfeit poker chips that were discovered at a Texas cardroom, a home game robbery in Hawaii, and a huge laydown in a $2.4 million cash game pot from Triton Poker.

Speaking of, Xuan Liu became the first woman to claim a Triton title, while Jesse Lonis and Alex Foxen also won Triton tournaments. Speaking of big winners, Kevin Li took down the 2025 WSOP Tournament of Champions, Stephen Song was victorious on The Lord Poker Tour for $750K, and both Corey Wick and Josh Freund claimed big mid-major wins.

The crew then discusses Alan Keating's NBA adventure that involved busting Steph Curry and winning a bracelet; the return of the PokerStars Big Game; and how Mike avoided a deadly shooting at his Las Vegas gym thanks to his friend, Jeff Madsen.

Finally, Chad sat down with "The World's Greatest Unknown WSOP Historian" Robert Jen to discuss records that could be set or broken at the upcoming 2025 World Series of Poker (WSOP). If you like stats and figures, you'll thoroughly enjoy this conversation, so be sure to check it out!

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*
00:00 | Welcome to the show
01:01 | Texas Poker Room catches counterfeit chips
05:03 | Hawaii poker home game robbed
06:47 | Sponsor – WSOP Free-to-Play App
07:38 | Laying down a full house in a $2.4M pot
12:40 | Big winners from the Triton Poker Montenegro
14:00 | Xuan Liu becomes first woman to claim Triton title
15:53 | WPT Global Summer Million Playground Festival
17:00 | Kevin Li wins WSOP Tournament of Champions
19:43 | Stephen Song won The Lord Poker Tour $15,000 Main Event for $750,000
21:30 | Corey Wick wins 2025 MSPT Michigan Poker State Championship for $397,587
23:12 | Josh Freund wins RGPS Kansas City for $87K
24:00 | Alan Keating’s vlog features incredible NBA adventure
26:34 | PokerStars Big Game returns
27:40 | Mike narrowly avoids deadly LAVC shooting
32:40 | Robert Jen joins the show
35:00 | W50P and his passion for poker history
38:12 | Compiling “THE” WSOP record book
39:20 | What’s one record to get excited about for 2025 WSOP?
41:43 | Cash records to keep an eye on
42:30 | Watch out Ladies!
43:15 | Kristen Foxen a crusher
43:50 | Are too many bracelets awarded?
45:44 | Watch out Annie Duke!
46:55 | Can someone win three bracelets again?
49:10 | What’s a longshot record that could come to fruition?

In the 891st episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway, Mike Holtz, and Kyna England talk about that viral knockout punch between two poker players at Red Rock in Las Vegas. See the video and learn what the Las Vegas Metro Police Department had to say when reached by PokerNews.

Also, learn about a controversy from the EPT Monte Carlo final table in which Aleksandr Shevliakov, who won the tournament, allegedly shot an angle with six players remaining. It caused quite the stir on the live stream, but was it all as it seemed? Shevliakov took to social media to share his perspective, and let's just say it led to an interesting discussion between the crew.

From there, it's recent tournament winners including Jesse Lonis, Maria Konnikova, and Valentin Vornicu; a preview of the WSOP+ App and Tournament of Champions; Allen Kessler living the life of a tournament floorman; and Chad's live reality game charity drive featuring a special "Burger of the Week" at Mark "P0ker H0" Kroon's Player's Bar in Madison, Wisconsin.

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*
00:00 | Welcome to the PokerNews Podcast
01:00 | Poker fight goes viral
01:42 | Video of poker players fighting at Red Rock
04:01 | What did the police department have to say?
06:02 | Was there an angle shot at the EPT Monte Carlo final table?
06:20 | Aleksandr Shevliakov wins EPT Monte Carlo
07:17 | Video of the controversial hand
13:30 | Poll – What do the fans think?
13:47 | Aleksandr Shevliakov issues clarifying statement
18:50 | Sponsor – WPT Global
19:34 | Jesse Lonis scores big at EPT Monte Carlo
20:50 | Maria Konnikova captures her first PokerStars “Spadie”
21:43 | Ian Steinman goes back-to-back in RGPS events
22:36 | Valentin Vornicu captures WSOP Circuit ring No. 14
23:20 | WSOP Tournament of Champions kicks off
29:20 | The WSOP+ App
30:50 | Allen Kessler serves as a floorman
32:19 | 888poker’s XL Spring Series
32:52 | Chad’s Live to Give charity game – “Burger of the Week”

In the 890th episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway, Mike Holtz, and Kyna England talk about admitted poker cheat Ali Imsirovic being DQ'ed mid-tournament from an event in Florida. Was it the right thing to do? It was a highly debated development, and the crew dove headfirst into the drama by discussing a poker black list, what bestbet Jacksonville could've done differently, and if poker pariahs could even be welcomed back to the game.

They then give an update on Tom Dwan, whose recent social media posts really concerned the poker community, and then Connor Richards headed to PokerGO Studio to chat with the controversial Haliey “Hawk Tuah Girl” Welch and others at the Celebrity Poker Tour (CPT) Game Night VI.

From there, it's highlights from the Hustler Casino Live (HCL) Million Dollar Game III, such as old-school player Erick Lindgren satelliting his way in, Texas Mike's wild ride, and an interview with Steve! Oh, and we'd be remiss if we didn't talk about that epic hand between Alan Keating and Peter.

Mike then talks about making a final table at the Venetian and playing with Batman at a recent Charity Series of Poker (CSOP) event, Brad Gafford and John Juanda both won tournaments, and poker media veteran Paul Oresteen talks about his new Substack, which you can subscribe to here.

Finally, PokerStars North America has introduced a dozen new "Throwables" and the PokerNews Podcast crew not only shares their favorites, but they also offer fans of the show an opportunity to win some just by either listening to or watching the 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*
00:21 | Welcome Kyna England & Mike Holtz
01:01 | Admitted poker cheat Ali Imisorvic DQ’ed from poker tournament
02:47 | Second time this has happened
03:28 | Should poker have a black list?
09:11 | Is there a gray area when it comes to cheating in poker?
14:01 | Is Ali Imsirovic being made an example of?
15:56 | Update on Tom Dwan
19:10 | Haliey “Hawk Tuah Girl” Welch plays Celebrity Poker Tour event
20:38 | Highlights from CPT Game Night VI
22:31 | Sponsor: WSOP Free-to-Play App
23:00 | Hustler Casino Live (HCL) Million Dollar Game III
23:15 | Erick Lindgren wins satellite into MDG
25:40 | Texas Mike’s up-and-down ride
27:00 | Steve & Tom Goldstein
27:21 | Interview w/ Steve at HCL
29:57 | Alan Keating & Peter battle it out
30:33 | Peter picks off Keating’s bluff
32:27 | Alan Keating big winner with $1.9 million
33:41 | Biggest winners from all three Million Dollar Games
34:08 | Sponsor – WPT Global
34:40 | Mike makes final table at Venetian
36:15 | Mike & Batman play CSOP event supporting Critical Care Comics
37:20 | Matt Savage wins CSOP title
37:34 | George Wolfe wins RunGood Jacksonville Main Event for $92,817
37:45 | Brad Gafford Wins MSPT Season 16 Sycuan Main Event
39:20 | Graham Keith takes down PokerNews Championship at Malta Poker Festival
39:40 | John Juanda Wins Second Tournament of 2025 at APT Taipei
41:11 | New Substacks on the Block – Paul Oresteen
42:26 | PokerStars introduces new Throwables
43:57 | Win a PokerStars Throwable by listening to the PokerNews Podcast

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

In the 888th episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway, Mike Holtz, and Kyna England talk about a WSOP gold bracelet while out on bail, who recently pleaded guilty to intent to commit murder against his wife. It's a sad tale, but the victim is now openly sharing her tale of survival and the horrific aftermath.

The crew then talks about Maurice Hawkins, who has yet to address the $100K+ judgment against him despite racking up wins and big paydays, and offers a behind-the-scenes look at the new poker room slated to open next month at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas.

Other stories include the second-largest Bad Beat Jackpot in history being hit, recent tournament winners including Christian Harder and from the Irish Poker Open, and another edition of New Vlogs on the Block featuring JW Wilder’s Parody Poker.

Finally, given it's the 888th episode of the show, it only made sense to celebrate 888poker. As such, Chad sat down with 888poker Ambassador Nick Eastwood, who has established himself as one of the industry's premier content producers.

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*
00:10 | Welcome Kyna England & Mike Holtz
00:47 | Poker player to plead guilty to attempted murder
06:45 | Maurice Hawkins still not paying on judgment against him
12:41 | Sponsor – WSOP Free-to-Play App
13:27 | Planet Hollywood opening a new poker room
15:35 | Second-Largest Bad Beat Jackpot in history!
18:03 | Sponsor: WPT Global
18:50 | Christian Harder wins two Korea Poker Cup Series events
20:40 | Robbie Toan wins Irish Open Super High Roller for €163,800
20:50 | Simon Wilson wins record-breaking Irish Open Main Event
23:04 | New Vlogs on the Block – JW Wilder’s Parody Poker
26:10 | Kyna is excited for upcoming LIPS Ladies Week at South Point
29:37 | Favorite 888poker memories
31:20 | Interview with 888poker’s Nick Eastwood
32:15 | How Nick Eastwood became a part of 888poker
33:00 | Prioritizing content & building a strong YouTube channel
35:30 | Working alongside other 888poker Ambassadors
42:15 | Upcoming XL Spring Series
43:17 | 888 Ride with David Tuchman
44:20 | Nick Eastwood’s Las Vegas experience