Poker In The Ears

Joe is in LA, while James is where the action’s at: Aspers Casino in London. This week’s podcast was recorded at Lex Live 2, with many members of Lex’s community and other popular streamers (plus Spraggy) in attendance. Joe talks about his experience playing PokerStars VR for the first time and his lack of success in the VRPT. But most of the show is focussed on special guest/co-host Lex Veldhuis, as he explains the objectives of #LexLive, the learnings from the first event, and his hopes for the second. He also weighs in on the recent Twitch debate started by Doug Polk and Jaime Staples. Finally, Sanne Bombeek – a Lex fan from Belgium – competes for an #EPTPrague satellite ticket and some Stars swag in ‘Superfan vs Stapes’. Please rate, review and subscribe to #PokerInTheEars.

Joe’s gearing up for a weekend of action on PokerStars VR, while James pays tribute to the late Al Alvarez, author of ‘The Biggest Game in Town’. The main focus of this week’s show is #WCOOP2019. There’s a full recap of the World Championship of Online Poker, including key stats and notable victories, and the boys are joined by WCOOP-23-M champion – and three-time WSOP bracelet winner – Benny Glaser. Finally, Shaun King from the UK chooses ‘The Magnificent Seven’ (1960) as his specialist subject, as he goes up against Joe in ‘Superfan vs Stapes’. Please rate, review and subscribe to #PokerInTheEars.

James and Joe continue their occasional series of retrospective reviews of “classic” poker movies by looking back at the 2007 comedy ‘The Grand’ (aka: ‘Loser’). They’re joined on the podcast by actor, writer, producer and ‘Celebrity Poker Showdown’ co-creator Andrew Hill Newman who played the dealer in the film and served as the on-set technical poker advisor. ‘The Grand’ is also the subject of this week’s quiz, as Ben Martin from the UK competes for an #EPTPrague satellite ticket in ‘Superfan vs Stapes’. Please rate, review and subscribe to #PokerInTheEars.

James and Joe are back from Barcelona. After discussing an unfortunate incident that resulted in the destruction of James’s new shoes, the boys recap their trip to Spain and the record-breaking #EPTBarcelona Main Event. They also talk about the #ChaseYourDream live stream, which included the launch of the PokerStars Players’ Championship 2020 and the presentation of the first five packages to next year’s #PSPC. Two of those #PlatinumPass winners are on this week’s show: Danielle Summer from Tenerife and Daryl Inglis from Canada re-live the experience of entering the ‘Chase Your Dream’ promotion, coming to Barcelona and enduring a day of disappointment and delight. They boys also have some early headlines from the World Championship of Online Poker and announce a special #WCOOP freeroll for podcast listeners. And Patrick Winterbottom from the UK competes for prizes in a ‘Patriot’-themed edition of ‘Superfan vs Stapes. Please rate, review and subscribe to #PokerInTheEars.

The boys start this week’s podcast with a few movie and TV reviews, and Joe has details of another losing session in a Hollywood home game. He also tells the tale of an unnecessary road trip across Florida caused by a gap in his geographical knowledge. Talking of Florida, James and Joe run through the winners of the “Big Four” at the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open, and speak to the champion of the $2,650 event, Jessica Dawley. Jessica is a US Air Force veteran and pro player who has some interesting thoughts on how the poker world needs to evolve to bring more women into the game. There’s a preview of next week’s #EPTBarcelona live stream, including info on the special ‘Chase Your Dream’ event taking place on Tuesday 27th August. And James Read from the UK picks ‘Shaun of the Dead’ as his specialist subject as he competes for an #EPTOpenSochi satellite ticket in ‘Superfan vs Stapes’. Please rate, review and subscribe to #PokerInTheEars. Next episode: Thursday 12th September 2019.

James and Joe are back from their summer break and kick off the show by discussing what they’ve been up to in the last eight weeks. In Joe’s case, that’s mostly nothing, but he did make the final table of a charity tournament in LA, and has a fun anecdote involving Bruce Buffer and a swag bag. As the boys find themselves pitted against other poker commentators in a slightly awkward popularity contest, they resurrect ‘Social Media Beefs’ to take issue with Daniel Negreanu’s Twitter polls. But the main focus of this episode is the 2019 World Series of Poker, and the success of EPT fan favourite Hossein Ensan and James and Joe’s friend and colleague Garry Gates. Garry, who’s Senior Manager of Player Relations at PokerStars, finished 4th in the Main Event for $3,000,000. He’s this week’s guest, and talks about his WSOP experience and all the podcasts he’s already appeared on! Finally, Scott Bonz from Iowa competes for some brand new PokerStars merch in a ‘Pet Sematary’-themed edition of ‘Superfan vs Stapes’. Plea

For their "season finale," the boys have a bumper episode, kicking off with some TV chat (04:00) and Joe's report from the World Series of Poker (09:20), where he played in the Big 50. Expect some questionable analysis, as Joe breaks down a hand he played/butchered on the first day of the event (13:35). There’s an extended interview with this week’s special guest: UFC announcer Bruce Buffer (20:30). The “Veteran Voice of the Octagon” talks about the two passions in his life – MMA and poker – and how we can expect to see him at more major tournaments in the future, including #EPTBarcelona. In the latest instalment of their occasional series looking back at classic poker movies, James and Joe have a retrospective review of Robert Altman’s ‘California Split’ (49:40). And that’s the subject of this week’s ‘Superfan vs Stapes’ quiz (01:11:30), as Martin Nocedal from Illinois competes for some PokerStars merchandise. This show is now on an extended summer break, with the next episode of #PokerInTheEars due on Thurs

James is in London, while Joe is in Vegas, after spending SIX whole days at home playing video games (02:50). The boys run through the latest poker headlines (07:30), including Daniel Negreanu’s big announcement and the dates for Lex Live 2, before launching into a recap of the 2019 Spring Championship of Online Poker with their #SCOOP2019 Correspondent Benjamin Spragg (13:25). Spraggy talks about his personal highs and lows of the series, including his epic folds – some good and some bad – and deep run in SCOOP 69-H. Joe has a few anecdotes from the Gavin Smith Memorial Tournament (37:50), including a couple of amusing encounters with Phil Hellmuth. Finally, Harry Messenger from the UK tries to win an #EPTBarcelona satellite ticket in a ‘Count of Monte Cristo’-themed edition of ‘Superfan vs Stapes’ (43:20). Please rate, review and subscribe to #PokerInTheEars.

For the last time on this podcast, James and Joe talk ‘Game of Thrones’, as the series FINALLY concludes (05:30), before summarising the big winners and headline-grabbing stories from #SCOOP2019 (10:40). There’s a quick recap of Joe’s final few days in Montenegro, including an interesting encounter with Jungleman and durrrr (15:55), plus the boys speak to Danny Tang, who’s worked his way up from Manchester’s low stakes cash games to playing Super High Roller events (17:55). There’s a recap of the “Poker Event of the Century,” with all the biggest names in the game, and Joe Stapleton, coming together in LA for the wedding of Daniel Negreanu and Amanda Leatherman (40:15). Finally, Noah Asher from Florida tries to win some PokerStars swag in ‘Superfan vs Stapes’, answering questions about the 2009 comedy ‘I Love You, Man’ (47:35). Please rate, review and subscribe to #PokerInTheEars.

Joe is starting to suffer the effects of physical and mental exhaustion, after working 16 consecutive long days, watching and talking about people play poker for ridiculous sums of money! He and James have a quick chat about ‘Game of Thrones’ (05:00) and #SCOOP2019 (09:05), before launching into a recap of the Triton Super High Roller Series in Montenegro (11:40), including details of the secret cash game that’s even MORE secret than the other secret cash game that everyone secretly knows about. This week’s guest is poker pro and vlogger Marle Cordeiro, who’s working alongside Joe at the Montenegro event. Marle talks about her journey into poker – via modelling, acting and comedy – and her recent experiences playing high stakes cash in Vegas (20:10). Finally, Riek Rudolph, a German student currently living in Hong Kong, tries to win his way to #EPTOpenMadrid by answering questions about the movie ‘Inception’ in ‘Superfan vs Stapes’ (49:30). Please rate, review and subscribe to #PokerInTheEars.

James is in London, while Joe is in Montenegro – still working! They discuss THAT video starring Jungleman (03:20) and their “issues” with recent episodes of ‘Game of Thrones’ (06:25), before launching into an extended #EPTMonteCarlo recap. The boys talk about the epic final table (13:20), and chat to Norwegian qualifier Evy Widvey Kvilhaug (24:20) about her deep run in the Main Event, and ridiculous run of good fortune at the start of Day 4, KO’ing three players in the first three hands of the day. Finally, Stefan Neskakis from Germany picks ‘The Breakfast Club’ as his specialist subject in this week’s edition of ‘Superfan vs Stapes’ (50:25). Please rate, review and subscribe to #PokerInTheEars

James and Joe respond to some of your questions and comments (6:45), before launching into a recap of Run It Up Reno 8 (11:20), including Joe’s misfortunes at the poker tables and misguided attempt at heroism on the streets of Nevada. There’s also a preview of what fans can expect from #PokerStarsTV’s four days of live streaming from #EPTMonteCarlo on YouTube.com/PokerStars and Twitch.tv/PokerStars (33:20), and an interview with Nick ‘OP-Poker Nick’ Walsh (37:00), who’ll be part of the commentary team for this event. Nick also talks about streaming on Twitch, crushing Power Up, and his interesting connection to this podcast. Finally, Fraser Shaw Morris tries to win #EPTOpenMadrid satellite tickets in a ‘Hook’-themed edition of ‘Superfan vs Stapes’ (56:15). Please rate, review and subscribe to #PokerInTheEars. Next episode: Thursday 9th May

Joe is at Run It Up Reno, and is suffering in the aftermath of a night of karaoke and heavy drinking! He and James get their geek on, as they discuss the return of ‘Game of Thrones’ and the new ‘Star Wars’ trailer (03:35), before rounding up the latest poker news (12:30), including the result of the Sunday Million 13th Anniversary, and the countdown to the 200 billionth hand on PokerStars. Joe recaps what’s happened so far in Reno (16:40), and the boys talk to Brad Owen – winner of the People’s Choice Award at the Global Poker Awards – about his popular vlogs, meet up games, and the highs and lows of being a poker pro (26:05). And Chris Longworth from Crewe in the UK choses ‘Donnie Darko’ as his specialist subject in this week’s edition of ‘Superfan vs Stapes’ (51:25). Please rate, review and subscribe to #PokerInTheEars.

Joe is finally back in LA…just for a few days, before setting off for Run It Up Reno. He and James kick off this week’s podcast with a few TV and movie reviews (03:55), before recapping Joe’s gig in Estonia working on the ‘Patrik Antonius Poker Challenge’, and partying at McDonald’s with Patrik (12:10)! In the wake of the Global Poker Awards in Las Vegas, the boys are joined by Broadcaster of the Year Maria Ho (20:40), who – in a rare strategy segment – provides in-depth analysis of the key hands Joe played during his recent deep run in the Bay 101 Shooting Star event (26:40). Finally, ‘Tropic Thunder’ is the theme of ‘Superfan vs Stapes’ (47:20), as Chris Hatton from Stroud in the UK competes for an #EPTMonteCarlo satellite ticket. Please rate, review and subscribe to #PokerInTheEars.

James has returned home from Russia, while Joe is still out in the field. He’s in Estonia for the first ever ‘Patrik Antonius Poker Challenge’, and has already experienced frightful fortunes at the Tallinn tables (09:05). The boys talk about their trip to #EPTSochi (16:10), and provide some in-flight entertainment reviews (20:05) and tell tales of post-tournament shenanigans (29:40). They’re then joined by this week’s guest: Patrik Antonius. The poker end boss discusses his latest business ventures, and gives his thoughts on the current state of the industry and his “issues” with the modern game (37:40). Finally, Roy Muir from New Zealand selects ‘Starship Troopers’ as his specialist subject, as he tries to win an #EPTMonteCarlo satellite ticket in ‘Superfan vs Stapes’ (01:02:35). Please rate, review and subscribe to #PokerInTheEars.

This week’s podcast features an extended interview with Brian Koppelman, co-writer of ‘Rounders’ and co-creator, showrunner and executive producer of ‘Billions’. James is in London, while Joe is in San Jose for the Bay 101 Shooting Star tournament. There’s a summary of Joe’s incredible Day 1 (02:20), and some stories from his recent comedy gigs with Norm Macdonald (09:00), while James has the dates for #SCOOP2019 (11:40) and details of #PrizepoolMadness (12:05). The boys look ahead to four days of live streaming from #EPTSochi on YouTube and Twitch (13:45), before breaking down Season 3 of ‘Billions’ (19:05), and looking ahead to Season 4 with Brian Koppelman (23:20). Brian also talks about ‘Rounders’, and its place in poker history, and discusses the prospect of a sequel (34:10). Finally, Sumreet from Toronto attempts to win an #EPTMonteCarlo satellite ticket – while Joe tries to win $$$ for PokerStars players – in a ‘Billions’-themed edition of ‘Superfan vs Stapes’ (55:45). Please rate, review and subscribe

James has just about recovered from the lurgy, so the boys are back from their unplanned break. They talk about a few TV shows and movies (04:00), including ‘Captain Marvel’ and the #PCA2019 highlights shows on the PokerStars YouTube channel, before discussing the new Global Poker Awards (09:05) and speaking to poker couple Ashley Sleeth and Jesse Sylvia (11:40), who recently both won tournaments in Las Vegas. In the latest instalment of ‘The Life of Stapes’ (28:35), Joe recaps his recent trip to Vegas, and has some interesting hand analysis – not his own – from his Hollywood home game. Plus, there’s a “deep dive” into Season 2 of ‘Billions’ (37:50), and Paul Cunningham from the UK competes for an #EPTMonteCarlo satellite ticket in an ‘Untouchables’-themed edition of ‘Superfan vs Stapes’ (48:30). Please rate, review and subscribe to the podcast, and/or apply to be our ‘Billions’ Superfan on Episode 147: #PokerInTheEars.

James is back from holiday – where he endured freezing temperatures and a burger crisis – while Joe’s counting his losses from his most recent Hollywood home game with Jennifer Tilly and Norm Macdonald, and is STILL trying to sell action for next month’s Bay 101 Shooting Star event. The boys run through the latest poker news headlines, and speak to Twitch streamer and former video games producer Vanessa Kade. They also have the first of their “deep dives” into the TV drama ‘Billions’, with a summary of Season 1 (Season 2 is on the agenda for next week’s podcast). Finally, Neil Collins from Australia/New Zealand* (delete as applicable) competes for PokerStars swag in ‘Superfan vs Stapes’, answering questions about the 1979 classic ‘Alien’. Please rate, review and subscribe to #PokerInTheEars.

This week’s podcast starts with a rant from James about the BAFTA Film Awards, and a plea from Joe, as he tries to sell action for next month’s Bay 101 Shooting Star event. He also drops a few names, as he recounts some stories from his recent Hollywood home game. There’s a ‘TV Recap’, breaking down the Neymar Jr Charity Special (now available to watch in two parts at YouTube.com/PokerStars). The boys are joined by Andre Akkari, who played in this fun STT at #EPTBarcelona last year, alongside various sports stars, including Neymar, Gerard Pique and Sergio Garcia. Finally, Nicholas Besser from Florida tries to win some PokerStars swag, as he competes against Joe in a ‘Shawshank Redemption’-themed edition of ‘Superfan vs Stapes’. Please rate, review and subscribe to #PokerInTheEars.

The boys run through some of the results from the 2019 #AussieMillions, and speak to Ricky ‘ratedGTO’ Guan, who was part of the broadcast team covering the Main Event and the $100k Challenge on Twitch. There are also top-line reviews of all the movies and TV shows James and Joe have watched in the last couple of months, and, in a special edition of ‘Adventures in Online Poker’, two #PokerInTheEars listeners (one of whom sounds VERY familiar) provide their personal perspectives on the new PokerStars game 6+ Hold’em. Finally, Brad Morrison from Illinois chooses UFC trivia as his specialist subject in this week’s ‘Superfan vs Stapes’ contest. Please rate, review and subscribe to the podcast.