What the Hell is Going on at the WPT? The Story of Phil Hellmuth & Player’s Bar

PokerNews Podcast

In the 876th episode of the PokerNews Podcast, which has been nominated for 'Podcast of the Year' at the Global Poker Awards, Chad Holloway, Kyna England, and Mike Holtz discuss what's been happening over at the World Poker Tour (WPT), from them laying off their entire eight-person digital team to the sassy WPT Global Twitter/X account.

They then discuss the implications of using comps to pay for a date, WPT champ Scott Stewart claiming two WSOPC rings in short order, and Faraz Jaka shipping an MSPT title. Speaking of the MSPT, which recently surpassed the $200 million mark in awarded prize money, Chad and Kyna are headed to Milwaukee's Potawatomi Casino this weekend to play in the stop's $1,110 Main Event.

The crew also recap the PGT Kickoff Series, which included wins from Kristen Foxen, Masato Yokosawa, and Patrik Leonard, and offer up an opportunity to listeners and fans to win a copy of luxurious The Las Vegas Book, which is valued at $495!

Finally, Chad heads down to the famed Wisconsin poker bar, Player's Bar, where Phil Hellmuth used to play. Mark "P0ker H0" Kroon, who not only owns the bar but was an O.G. online player from back in the day, shares some stories about the bar including how they learned Hellmuth won the 1989 WSOP, players who've played poker in the bar, and much more.

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

A new PokerNews Podcast will drop weekly every Friday 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* 00:11 | Welcome Kyna England & Mike Holtz 00:24 | What’s going on at the WPT? 00:33 | Eight-person digital team let go at WPT 04:40 | An award-winning team 08:10 | WPT Global X account on fire 12:40 | Is using comps paying for the date? 15:36 | Kyna’s bad date stories 17:45 | Sponsor: WSOP Free-to-Play App 18:24 | WPT champ Scott Stewart claims two WSOPC rings in short order 21:25 | Faraz Jaka wins MSPT Bally’s Black Hawk; his student wins side event 24:00 | MSPT hits $200M mark; Gerald Cunniff enters MSPT Hall of Fame 24:32 | Chad & Kyna headed to MSPT Potawatomi in Milwaukee 28:34 | Mark “P0ker H0” Kroon’s poker famous Player’s Bar 38:27 | Winners from the PGT Kickoff Series – Kristen Foxen, Patrik Leonard & more 41:30 | PokerNews Giveaway – The Las Vegas Book