Poker In The Ears

All three hosts are in London this week, and Joe is considering playing the PokerStars MEGASTACK at The Hippodrome. There’s plenty of poker news to discuss, with updates from #PSCMacau and the Sunday Million 11th Anniversary. The boys also have an exclusive: an interview with an insider who was on THAT boat with Bill Perkins, Jeff Gross and the Staples brothers. He’s promised to dish the dirt and reveal some hot gossip from behind-the-scenes (obviously, we’re protecting our source, and respecting the anonymity of our #StreamBoat ‘Deep Throat’). James, Joe and Matt finally close the book on #PSCPanama, as they speak to Kenny Smaron – the winner of last month’s PokerStars Championship Main Event. And Johnathon Gallagher from the UK goes fishing for prizes in ‘Superfan vs Stapes’. #PokerInTheEars

James, Joe and Matt are back from Panama City. They look back at their trip to #PSCPanama, with some behind-the-scenes stories from the #PokerStarsTV live stream, and some anecdotes from the journey home, including James’s (literal and metaphorical) meltdown at Panama Airport. There’s a brief look at the #SCOOP2017 schedule (more info on the PokerStarsBlog.com), and Jason Somerville makes a cameo appearance on the podcast, as Ky Waddell from Canada proves her knowledge of all things JCarver in this week’s edition of ‘Superfan vs Stapes’. #PokerInTheEars

It may sound like it, but this episode of #PokerInTheEars was NOT recorded on a TDK C90 cassette (without Dolby NR). It’s the audio version of the video podcast from Panama City (that first aired on PokerStars.tv) and the less-than-amazing quality is due to technical issues on site. James, Joe and Matt interview MMA legend Tito Ortiz about his deep run in the #PSCPanama Main Event; Matt re-lives the highs and lows of his trip to #PSFRozvadov and his 79 hours of live streaming; and Andres Korn from Argentina challenges Joe to a game of World Cup trivia in ‘Superfan vs Stapes’.

James, Joe and Matt kick off the podcast with some ‘Adventures in Online Poker’, as they re-live the highs and lows of last week’s #PokerStarsTV Home Game. They boys have got two live events on the horizon, and two live streams to preview, with Matt heading to #PSFRozvadov and the entire team going to #PSCPanama. Listen out for key dates and broadcast times, plus an interview with ElkY, who takes a short break from a €100/€100 cash game at King’s Casino to talk about the Rozvadov Festival. There’s a summary of the Top 5 WTF Moments (now available to watch at PokerStars.tv), and ‘Superfan vs Stapes’ features Andrew Pieper from Las Vegas, questions about ‘Rocky’, and one of the best original jokes Joe has EVER come up with on ANY show. #PokerInTheEars

Joe is an American Poker Award winner! And he wants everyone to know it. James and Matt help him celebrate his success, as they run though the highlights of last week’s ceremony in Los Angeles. Cate Hall was named GPI Female Player of the Year, and delivered a thought-provoking acceptance speech. She’s the guest on this week’s podcast, discussing her controversial comments and reviewing her year on the live poker circuit. There’s a new Top 5 (Table Nightmares) now available to watch at PokerStars.tv, so the boys pour over the hands and characters in this countdown. Finally, Joe “Pesci” Romagnano from New York takes on Joe at ‘Empire Strikes Back’ trivia in ‘Superfan vs Stapes’. #PokerInTheEars

James and Joe welcome Matt to the podcast full-time, following his recent hardware and software upgrades. The boys kick off the show with a reminder of next week’s #PokerStarsTV Home Game and details of how YOU can win a trip to Monte Carlo to compete against the pros in an exclusive televised cash game, the PokerStars Championship Cash Challenge. The world’s newest Twitch star, Mike ‘Timex’ McDonald, is this week’s guest. He talks about the success of his poker streams and tells the surprising story of his…er…first time! James, Joe and Matt break down another countdown: the Top 5 Huge Mistakes (now available to watch at PokerStars.tv). And Julez Redding from London demonstrates his knowledge of ‘Scott Pilgrim vs the World’ in ‘Superfan vs Stapes’. #PokerInTheEars

Plenty of poker news for James and Joe to discuss this week, including Igor Kurganov joining Team Pro, the forthcoming launch of Power Up Poker, details of a bonus live stream on PokerStars.tv, and more info about next month’s #PokerStarsTV Home Game, including the Club ID and Invitation Code. With new Top 5s being released weekly on PokerStars.tv, the boys break down two of the most recent countdowns: the Top 5 Poker Controversies and the Top 5 Hands of 2016. Plus, Will Ho competes for a hoodie and a tournament ticket in this week’s edition of ‘Superfan vs Stapes’. #PokerInTheEars

James, the die-hard NFL fan, didn’t watch Super Bowl LI. But Joe did, and the result has left him feeling a little low. Luckily, he’s got the banging beats of ‘Space Monkey’ to cheer himself up. Jaime Staples from Team PokerStars Pro Online is this week’s guest, talking about his American Poker Award nomination, his victory in the recent ‘TwitchStars’ tournament at #PSCBahamas, and his plans for ‘Streamboat 2017’! James has details of the forthcoming #PokerStarsTV Home Game, including the all-important date. And one of the greatest poker movies of all time is the subject of ‘Superfan vs Stapes’, as Thomas Shevlin from Scotland faces off against Joe in a game of ‘Rounders’ trivia. #PokerInTheEars

After entertaining themselves with a brief burst of ‘Space Monkey’ (the thumping dance track that’s taking the US by storm), James and Joe delve into the American Poker Awards, and Joe’s unsuccessful campaign to secure a nomination for #KidPoker. But there’s still cause for celebration, as Joe is up for Media Person of the Year! There’s a look back at the hugely successful #PSFLondon. Neither of the boys could make it to The Hippodrome, so they enlist the help of Liv Boeree to review the event. Liv talks about her deep runs in the High Roller and Main Event, and her recent success in the #TCOOP. The second guest on this week’s podcast is Gary Davis, co-director of #KidPoker and the creative powerhouse behind much of #PokerStarsTV’s output. Gary reflects on his early career as an editor, reveals how he (literally) stumbled into televised poker, and is tested on his knowledge of library music in ‘Superfan vs Stapes’. #PokerInTheEars

James and Joe were hoping to be joined by Liv Boeree on this week’s podcast, but she rather inconveniently made a deep run in the £2k High Roller at the PokerStars Festival London, so, instead, they take a look at the categories in this year’s American Poker Awards. Joe is a member of the nominating panel, and is able to reveal some of the names on the shortlist. He also appeals for YOUR help in deciding who to vote for! As promised on the last episode, the boys review some of the TV shows and movies they’ve watched recently, including ‘Westworld’ and ‘The Night Of’, and James reveals he “quite enjoyed” an atrocious film that practically everyone else in the world hated. Finally, Poland is the subject of this week’s ‘Superfan vs Stapes’ contest, as Sebastian Mojko competes for a #PSCPanama satellite ticket and a hoodie. #PokerInTheEars

James and Joe look back at the first ever PokerStars Championship in the Bahamas. The boys reveal what happened at Atlantis after the final card was dealt (spoiler alert: many of Joe’s stories involve Tinder), and Matt tells the tale of ‘The Hulk, the Bomb and the Corpse’! Christian Harder is this week’s guest, discussing his #PSCBahamas victory and the history of his relationship with runner-up Cliff Josephy. He’s also forced to play one of the stupidest games every created by man. Or Stapes. And #PokerStarsTV viewer Christian Obermaier takes on Joe in a game of ‘Scrubs’ trivia in this week’s ‘Superfan vs Stapes’. #PokerInTheEars

James, Joe and Matt are in the Bahamas for the first ever PokerStars Championship, mixing with celebs like Kevin Hart and Aaron Paul. In this audio version of the podcast first broadcast on #PokerStarsTV, there’s a quick flashback to the last ever #EPT in Prague, specifically everyone’s reaction to the emotional closing video and the equally emotional after-party. Joe asks for help with a social media dilemma, while James and Matt tell tales from their flight from London to Nassau. Plus, there’s a brief review of ‘Rogue One’, although Joe is only able to critique the first half of the movie, as he chose sex over ‘Star Wars’! Finally, Spin & Go qualifier Richard Freemantle talks about his Bahamas experience, and demonstrates his knowledge of Monty Python movies in ‘Superfan vs Stapes’. #PokerInTheEars

This is the audio version of the show first broadcast on PokerStars.tv, and is the final episode of the podcast in its current incarnation. James and Joe to reveal what #EPTNotLive will be called in 2017, and award prizes to the listeners who helped come up with the new name. The boys also talk about their antics in Prague, and re-live some of their favourite moments from 13 seasons of the European Poker Tour. Finally, Huw Rees, a member of the #EPTLive graphics team, competes against Joe in a Tom Hanks-themed edition of ‘Superfan vs Stapes’. We’re back in mid-January with the rebooted/rebranded podcast. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

James and Joe as they look ahead to the last ever #EPTLive from the last ever #EPT in Prague. There’s a rundown of what’s being streamed and when (at PokerStars.tv/live), and a list of the freerolls and Bounty Bonus tournaments running during the seven-day webcast. Former Prague resident Sam Grafton is this week’s guest, and provides some tips on places to go and things to do in the Czech capital. Joe re-lives his experience hosting 236 hours of Twitch coverage of the GPL Finals, and there’s a brief recap of the latest TV show: the €2k Estrellas High Roller final table. Plus, Artem Korolev from Moscow aims to win a Step C ticket by demonstrating his knowledge of the Michael Bay movie ‘Armageddon’ in this week’s edition of ‘Superfan vs Stapes’. #EPTNotLive

After a two week break, you’d think the boys would be refreshed, reinvigorated and re-energised. But no. James is coming down with the lurgy, and Joe is recovering from hosting an epic 15-hour live stream and facing the prospect of hosting ANOTHER epic 15-hour live stream! He’s in Vegas for the GPL play-offs and final, and gives an insight into the closing chapter of the inaugural season of the Global Poker League. There’s a bit of Thanksgiving and movie chat, before the guys break down the two most recent #EPT TV shows (both available to watch at PokerStars.tv): The Best of the EPT Episode 3 and the EPT 13 Barcelona Super High Roller. Finally, John Lindley from California aims to prove he knows more about ‘The Princess Bride’ than Joe in this week’s edition of ‘Superfan vs Stapes’. #EPTNotLive

This week’s podcast focuses on the second part of the top 40 countdown of the greatest hands in European Poker Tour history, as James and Joe break down The Best of the EPT Episode 2 (now available to watch at PokerStars.tv). They’re joined by PCA 2010 finalist Ryan D’Angelo, whose infamous and hilarious rant at Ben Zamani is featured in the show. Away from the small screen, there’s an update on the number of qualifiers who’ve won PokerStars Championship packages courtesy of the Bahamas Spin & Go promotion (which continues until 4th December). And Phil Cooper from Aberdeen competes for a Step C ticket in a Top Gear-themed edition of ‘Superfan vs Stapes’. #EPTNotLive is taking a short break for Thanksgiving, and returns on Thursday 1st December.

Joe is not quite himself this week, as he recovers from the shocking result of the US Presidential election. But he soon gets down to business, telling James about his recent gig hosting Daniel Negreanu’s charity poker tournament in Las Vegas. The boys also discuss the latest TV show: The Best of the EPT Episode 1 (now available to watch at PokerStars.tv). They’re joined by Jake Cody, who features in the top 40 countdown, to look back at 12 seasons of the European Poker Tour. There’s a summary of how you can Spin & Go to the Bahamas, and James reveals his current obsession with Beat The Clock tournaments. Finally, Joe’s former flatmate Jesse Abramowitz narrates a disturbing late-night tale, and demonstrates his knowledge of Uber fares in this week’s edition of ‘Superfan vs Stapes’. #EPTNotLive

James and Joe, as they recount tales from the last few days of #EPTLive in Malta, including dramatic events at the airport that led to both Matt and Joe becoming foreign correspondents for a variety of media outlets. Matt also reveals how he angered his fellow passengers on the fight home, and tells the story of how he was once accidentally introduced on stage as Arnold Schwarzenegger. There’s a review of the two most recent TV shows: the #EPT 12 Grand Final Super High Roller and Main Event final tables (both now available to watch at PokerStars.tv). And there’s PokerStars goodies on the line, as Classic Rock enthusiast Jeffrey Anbinder takes on Joe in ‘Superfan vs Stapes’. #EPTNotLive

This is the audio version of the video podcast originally broadcast on #EPTLive, so apologies for the plethora of visual references. James and Joe at EPT Malta, mid-way through the Main Event. The boys reveal the winners of the various competitions from last week’s show, Matt tells an amusing tale from one of his recent WCOOP Twitch streams, and Joe explains how he managed to mess up yet another winner’s presentation. There’s an in-depth interview with Tournament Director Toby Stone, and the first (and probably last ever) edition of ‘The Stone Bubble’. And that’s not the only quiz, as Andrew Milto from Maryland does his best to out-smart Joe at Adam Carolla trivia in ‘Superfan vs Stapes’. #EPTNotLive

It’s a packed podcast this week, with prizes galore. James and Joe are giving away satellite tickets for the first ever PokerStars Championship in the Bahamas. There’s a couple of competitions, one of them involving pyjamas! Chris Moneymaker joins the boys to talk about his Hall of Fame nomination, #NJCOOP and the upcoming PokerStars Festival in New Jersey. And, as has become tradition, he’s forced to play a round of ‘Is That Your Real Name?’ James discusses his accidental photo-bombing incident at the Quintessentially Foundation Poker Night, there’s a recap of the EPT 12 Dublin Main Event final table highlights show (now available to watch at PokerStars.tv), and a preview of EPT 13 Malta, including a rundown of the freerolls and Bounty Bonus tournaments available to play during the seven days of streaming on #EPTLive. Finally, in ‘Superfan vs Stapes’, Ethan Westhead takes on Joe in a game called ‘Knowie Your Bowie’. After listening to #EPTNotLive, please watch #EPTLive from Malta, Sunday 23rd – Saturday 29th