Poker In The Ears

This week’s podcast begins with everyone’s favourite sound effect, as James apologises for the lack of the advertised #TurboSeries freeroll. However, the good news is the boys have organised a NEW freeroll, with an increased prize pool. Huzzah! Joe looks back on the hugely successful comedy night at #PCA2019 with Clayton Fletcher – a comedian who’s just as funny as Joe, but far more proficient at poker. On that subject, ‘The Life of Stapes’ sees Joe talk about his recent showbiz escapades, playing in a Hollywood home game and at a charity tournament in LA. There’s even a couple of ‘Hand Histories’ (which provide evidence supporting the earlier statement about Mr Stapleton’s poker prowess). Finally, the Michael Douglas-Val Kilmer movie ‘The Ghost and the Darkness’ is the specialist subject in this week’s edition of ‘Superfan vs Stapes’, as Alex Parkin from Canada attempts to win an #EPTSochi satellite ticket. Please rate, review and subscribe to #PokerInTheEars

The boys are back from the Bahamas, and recap their 11-day live streaming marathon from the #PSPC and #PCA2019, with some behind-the-scenes stories, including James’s encounters with the “hosts” at Atlantis! Plus, Joe recounts what it’s like to spend Christmas with the Stapletons (and their multiple remote controls and missing flashlight). In celebrating the success of the PokerStars Players No Limit Hold’em Championship, there’s an interview with 4th place finisher Scott Baumstein, who reveals what he’s planning to do after cashing for $1.65m. Also, James and Joe have details of an exclusive podcast freeroll, awarding tickets for the forthcoming Turbo Series, and an invitation for listeners to come on the show and review 6+ Hold’em. Finally, Blair Matheson from Scotland competes for an #EPTSochi satellite ticket in an ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ themed edition of ‘Superfan vs Stapes’. Please rate, review and subscribe to the podcast. For Superfan and 6+ reviewer applications, tag your tweets #PokerInTheEars

James and Joe have received a strongly-worded memo from PokerStars HQ, which could change the editorial direction of the podcast for ever! This week, they summarise the key results from #EPTPrague, and look ahead to 11 days of live streaming from the #PSPC and #PCA2019, with details of the broadcast schedule (on twitch.tv/pokerstars and youtube.com/pokerstars), plus the forthcoming ‘Mini PSPC’. Most excitingly, the boys have a celebrity guest: ‘West Wing’ star and ‘Celebrity Poker Showdown’ co-creator Joshua Malina. Josh talks about the origins of his poker TV show, with some great behind-the-scenes stories, and gives James the opportunity to geek out about his favourite moments from ‘The West Wing’. Finally, Paul Catt from the UK competes against Joe in a ‘Taxi Driver’-themed edition of ‘Superfan vs Stapes’. Please rate, review and subscribe to the podcast. #PokerInTheEars will return in late January 2019, after an extended break for Christmas, New Year and the PSPC/PCA.

James and Joe have some early results from #EPTPrague, and headline info on the forthcoming Winter Series on PokerStars. Plus, they reveal details of an exclusive Winter Series freeroll for #PokerInTheEars listeners. In their TV Recap, the boys discuss the last few episodes of #PCA2018 (available to watch at YouTube.com/PokerStars), including the Main Event final table. They talk to someone who as AT that table: Shawn Buchanan. Shawn is a Canadian pro with a string of live and online results, who finished second to Maria Lampropulos at the PCA, and was involved in some interesting hands along the way. Finally, Joe is tested on his knowledge of the Hitchcock classic ‘North by Northwest’, as Tim Willems from the Netherlands competes for prizes in ‘Superfan vs Stapes’. Please rate, review and subscribe to the podcast.

James and Joe reflect on last week’s epic #PlatinumPass giveaway, before turning their attention to this week’s poker headlines. They pay tribute to the late Thor Hansen, and catch up with Kevin Martin from Team PokerStars Pro Online, who’s been on a heater in recent months. Kevin talks about his amazing live run and dominance of the Calgary poker circuit, plus his expectations for the #PSPC in January. Joe also has some tales from the poker tables – both real and virtual; both reasonably disastrous. Finally, Simon Morrison from the UK answers questions about the 1959 classic ‘Some Like It Hot’ in ‘Superfan vs Stapes’. Please rate, review and subscribe to #PokerInTheEars.

James and Joe are back from their mini break, and have a few movies and TV shows to review. They run through the latest poker headlines, including an important #EPTPrague update and plans for the #PSPC/#PCA2019 live stream, plus successes for Fatima de Melo and Fintan Hand. This week’s guest is #PlatinumPass winner Nathan Manuel, who spent most of 2018 #ChasingPlatinum, before winning the Moneymaker Tour event at Run It Up Reno. He also takes on Joe at ‘Fifth Element’ trivia in this week’s first round of ‘Superfan vs Stapes’. Yes, there’s a second Superfan: the boys welcome Danish student Toke Gerding Jensen to the show. Toke was in contention for the top prize in the #PokerInTheEars Freeroll League, before server issues stopped him being able to play the two games. So, James and Joe try to make amends with a ‘BoJack Horseman’-themed competition. Please rate, review and subscribe to the podcast.

James and Joe run through the latest poker headlines, including a couple of big results for Chris Moneymaker on his own tour (conspiracy theories abound), and the launch of Fusion and PokerStars VR. They break down the two most recent #PCA2018 TV shows (airing on Channel 4 in the UK and Ireland, and available for the rest of the world to watch at YouTube.com/PokerStars) with the help of Maria Konnikova, the author and psychologist who make a deep run in the Main Event and bagged a #PlatinumPass in the National Championship. Talking of #PSPC packages, there’s key info about the final week of the #PokerInTheEars Freeroll League. Plus, there’s a mini-review of ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’, followed by a quiz about the sci-fi classic, as Jonathan Eger from Canada competes for a #PCA2019 satellite ticket AND an #EPTPrague satellite ticket in this week’s edition of ‘Superfan vs Stapes’. Please rate, review and subscribe to the podcast. We’re back after our one-week Thanksgiving break on Thursday 28th November.

This week’s guest is poker player and vlogger Andrew Neeme, who recently shared a table with Joe at Run It Up Reno. Andrew talks about his journey into poker and content creation, and the recent #VloggerInParadise competition he ran with Jeff Gross. The boys also discuss this week’s #PokerInTheEars Twitch stream, which featured some bonus High Roller coverage from Igor Kurganov, and reveal all the details you need to play Game 6 of the #PlatinumPass Freeroll League. Finally, James is very excited that ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ is this week’s specialist subject in ‘Superfan vs Stapes’, as Jim Vaughn from the USA tries to win some coveted PokerStars swag. Please don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe to the podcast.

Joe is back from being a karaoke judge (!) at Run It Up Reno, and has a few final anecdotes from his trip. Meanwhile, James has been spending far too much money on new tech, and gives his early thoughts on ‘Red Dead Redemption II’. The main focus of this week’s podcast is the #PCA2018 on TV (Wednesday nights on Channel 4 in the UK and Ireland; Thursdays on YouTube.com/PokerStars), specifically the first three Main Event shows. This week’s guest is Mo ‘The Destroyer’ Schwab, the Canadian qualifier who became the star of Episode 2. The boys also discuss the controversy surrounding Game 4 of the #PokerInTheEars #PlatinumPass Freeroll League, and explain why it’s important to listen to ALL of this show to play in next Monday’s $500 PKO event. Finally, Olly Durham from Essex chooses ‘I’m Alan Partridge’ as his specialist subject, as he competes for a PCA satellite ticket in ‘Superfan vs Stapes’ Please don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe to the podcast.

James is in London, while Joe is at Run It Up Reno, having an awesome time with ‘JCarver’ and the crew. He talks about the various tournaments and games he’s played, including Taiwanese Poker, and tells the incredible story of the winner of the Moneymaker Tour #PlatinumPass event. This week’s guest is RIU Warrior Danielle ‘dmoongirl’ Andersen, best known as one of the subjects of the documentary ‘Bet Raise Fold’. Danielle talks about moving her family from Minnesota to Vegas, and transitioning from online to live poker in the period following Black Friday, and her legendary karaoke night at The Peppermill. Plus, there’s the latest info on the #PokerInTheEars Freeroll League. And Christian Toms tries not to lose his head, as he answers questions about the movie ‘Highlander’ in ‘Superfan vs Stapes’. Please don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe to the podcast.

There’s a very different vibe to this week’s podcast. James and Joe find time for a quick recap of their last Twitch stream, featuring Arlie Shaban’s 6th challenge, and have details of the next round of the #PokerInTheEars Freeoll League, but there’s no TV Recap or Superfan, as the boys dedicate most of this episode to an extended interview with Erik Audé, the American actor, stuntman and poker player who was jailed in Pakistan for three years after being duped into drug smuggling. Erik tells his story – as documented in the new film ‘3 Years in Pakistan’ – and explains how the game of poker played an important role during his time in prison, and helped him readjust and rebuild his life when he eventually returned to the USA. Please don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe to the podcast.

James and Joe discuss #DisasterNight on Twitch, explaining what went wrong with the freeroll, and what they’re doing to make things right. They also run through this week’s poker headlines, which include results for Chris Moneymaker and an altruistic Lex Veldhuis fan, and break down the three #PCA2018 Super High Roller TV shows (available to watch at YouTube.com/PokerStars). They boys are joined by Chris Kruk, a Canadian player who features in the first two episodes, and inspired Joe’s latest meme: “You got Krukked!” There’s new info on the #PokerInTheEars Freeoll League, including the all-important Star Code for Game 2 (which WILL work). And Kevin McDonnell from Dublin answers questions about the Kevin Bacon classic ‘Footloose’ in ‘Superfan vs Stapes’. Please don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe to the podcast.

Off the back of their first Monday-night stream, James and Joe run through the latest poker headlines before welcoming Arlie Shaban to the show. The former ‘Big Brother Canada’ contestant, best known for his 125-day and 43-hour Twitch marathons, is currently undergoing the ’12 Labours of Arlie’, and uses the podcast to “tell the world about his deeds,” and share his life story. The boys also have details of Week 2 of the #PokerInTheEars Freeroll League, awarding two Platinum Passes (worth $30k each), and their next evening of Home Games (Monday 8th October, 19:30 BST at twitch.tv/pokerstars). Finally, Jason from New Jersey tries to outsmart Joe at ‘Big Lebowski’ trivia in this week’s edition of ‘Superfan vs Stapes’. Please don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe to the podcast.

There’s a full recap of the recent Moneymaker PSPC Tour event in LA, where Joe drank a lot of shots, and lost a lot of money to Chris Moneymaker. This week’s guest is Lex Veldhuis, aka the “Mr Disaster of Poker” on Twitch (it’s a long story). In an extended interview, Lex discusses the success of his recent WCOOP streams, and talks openly about the highs and lows of 2018: building a huge following on Twitch, while also enduring numerous losing sessions at the tables. James and Joe look ahead to their forthcoming series of Monday night streams, with details of the first week of the #PokerInTheEars Freeroll League, awarding TWO Platinum Passes (worth $30k each). Finally, Scott Samarel from New York is tested on his knowledge of ‘Better Call Saul’ in ‘Superfan vs Stapes’. Please don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe to the podcast.

James and Joe kick off the show with the final results and stats from #WCOOP2018, and discuss the recent controversy surrounding William Kassouf. But, for the most part, it’s another #PlatinumPass themed episode, with an update on the number of #PSPC packages awarded so far, plus an interview with Platinum Pass winner Jennifer Carter from Canada. The boys also have ALL the details on the #PokerInTheEars Freeroll League – running from 1st October to 19th November, and streamed live at twitch.tv/pokerstars – which will award TWO Platinum Passes (worth $30k each) to podcast listeners. Finally, James Satchell from the UK goes up against Joe in a ‘Team America: World Police’ quiz in ‘Superfan vs Stapes’. Please don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe to the podcast.

James and Joe are back from Barcelona! Before looking back at the biggest EPT of all time, the boys run through the poker news headlines, including the latest from #WCOOP2018. They talk to Jason Somerville about his long-awaited return to Twitch for the World Championship of Online Poker, and look ahead to Run It Up Reno in October. After a full #EPTBarcelona report – including some epic food-related fails – there are details of the forthcoming #PokerInTheEars #PlatinumPass promotion, as James and Joe reveal how they’re planning to award TWO $30k #PSPC packages to podcast listeners. Plus, Justin Stahley from London competes for prizes by answering questions about ‘Planes, Trains and Automobiles’ in ‘Superfan vs Stapes’. Please don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe to the podcast.

It’s the Barcelona preview show! James and Joe look ahead to five days of European Poker Tour coverage with co-commentator Fintan Hand. They run through the #PokerStarsTV streaming schedule, and their plans for freerolls and #PlatinumPass giveaways. Plus, Fintan is tested on his knowledge of the city of Barcelona in one of Joe’s trademark terrible quizzes. The boys also respond to some of your tweets (#PokerInTheEars), reveal details of the next $500 podcast freeroll, and give UK player Mike Constantine the chance to win a #WCOOP2018 ticket in an ‘Everest’-themed edition of ‘Superfan vs Stapes’. Please don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe to the podcast. Then, join James and Joe on Twitch and YouTube from Wednesday 29th August – Sunday 2nd September 2018 for the #EPTBarcelona Main Event.

James and Joe are back from their ridiculously over-long summer break, and they’re already bringing out the big guns: special guest star Daniel Negreanu joins the boys to recap the key event of the summer, the World Series of Poker. Other news stories discussed on this week’s podcast include the technical issues faced by PokerStars in recent days, the 2018 WCOOP schedule, and the launch of the Moneymaker Tour in Sacramento. There are details of the next #PokerInTheEars $500 freeroll. And the subject of the ‘Superfan vs Stapes’ quiz is one of Joe’s favourite movies, ‘Swingers’, as American poker fan Brian Siegel competes for some PokerStars merch. Please don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe to the podcast.

It’s the “season finale!” Ahead of their eight-week summer break, James and Joe review a couple of gambling-themed movies: the most recent Star Wars adventure, ‘Solo’, and the 1974 James Caan classic ‘The Gambler’. They also catch up with the newest member of Team PokerStars Pro, Muskan Sethi, and find out what she’s been up to since qualifying for ‘Shark Cage’ four years ago. Joe drops a LOT of names, as he recounts playing in some recent LA poker games. And loyal listener Colin Bradley tries to win an #EPTBarcelona satellite ticket by answering questions about ‘The Gambler’ in ‘Superfan vs Stapes’. Please don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe to the podcast. #PokerInTheEars returns on Thursday 16th August 2018.

There’s a #PlatinumPass theme to this week’s podcast, as James talks through his attempt at winning a $30k PokerStars Players No Limit Hold’em Championship package at the London MEGASTACK at The Hippodrome (resulting in an unfortunate forfeit involving Chris Moneymaker and peanut butter). Plus, there are interviews with two recent Platinum Pass winners: Toin Voncken, who took down the #PokerStarsTV freeroll during #EPTMonteCarlo, and Mike Page, the #NJSCOOP Main Event champion. The boys also have details of their next $500 freeroll, and Chris Unsworth from Norwich in the UK competes for an #EPTBarcelona satellite ticket in a ‘Fugitive’-themed edition of ‘Superfan vs Stapes’. Please don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe to #PokerInTheEars.