Poker In The Ears

Joe is back from a live poker series in San Diego. He provides James with a field report and a few hand histories, including an accidental angle shoot which led to a controversial ruling (let us know your thoughts: psta.rs/Discord). The guys also talk about online poker in the USA, as they're joined by the newest member of Team PokerStars Pro, Michigan-based streamer David Kaye. Finally, Alfie Brepotra from the UK competes for a #SundayMillion ticket in 'Superfan vs Stapes', answering questions about 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone'. Please subscribe to #PITE and join the podcast community on Discord (psta.rs/Discord).

Welcome to the Jungle! The legendary Daniel 'Jungleman' Cates is the guest on this week's podcast, discussing how he's changed as a person since the days of the nosebleeds on Stars and Tilt, his interest in music and charity, the importance of integrity in poker, and the things he'd like to change about the game (he's not a fan of players who feel the need "to randomise and tank 20 seconds on each hand”). Plus, there's the chance to learn about Yu-Gi-Oh, as Sam Di Taranto from New Jersey competes for prizes in 'Superfan vs Stapes'. Please subscribe to #PITE and join our community on Discord (psta.rs/Discord).

A few weeks later than originally planned, James and Joe are able to draw a line under #WCOOP, and provide a full recap of the 2022 World Championship of Online Poker. Having spent three consecutive nights covering the $10k Main Event, the guys deliver a slightly shorter podcast than usual, but summarise the key stats and stories (just how many trophies did Brazilian players win?), and find time for a general trivia themed edition of 'Superfan vs Stapes', with long-time listener and live stream viewer Julian Laing competing for a #SundayMillion ticket and PokerStars merch. Please subscribe to #PITE and join our community on Discord (psta.rs/Discord).

Following their week of live streams from the UK capital, Joe is back in LA and James is in Malta "on PokerStars business.” They look back at #EPTLondon 2022, summarising the key winners and recapping the Main Event, a tournament filled with many accomplished players and interesting characters. One of those characters was the Romanian film-maker (and producer of #dogpoopgirl) Dan Chisu. He joins the guys to reflect on his deep run in London, which resulted in a seat at the final table, and his career in cinema and comedy. Finally, Canadian listener Tim Assie competes for a #SundayMillion ticket in 'Superfan vs Stapes', answering questions about the movie 'What We Do in the Shadows'. Please subscribe to #PITE and join the podcast community on Discord (psta.rs/Discord).

It's the #EPTLondon preview show. James and Joe look ahead to the European Poker Tour festival at the Hilton Park Lane, summarising their streaming schedule (on the PokerStars Twitch and YouTube channels) and providing the headline details of the accompanying Mini EPT online series. Plus, they take a trip down memory lane, re-living moments from London Main Events of yesteryear, and speak to former champion Robin Ylitalo: the Swedish player who lifted the trophy back in 2013 and recently won two #WCOOP titles. Finally, the nerd factor is super high in 'Superfan vs Stapes', as Matt Cooper from the UK answers questions about 'Star Trek: The Next Generation'. Please subscribe to #PITE and join the podcast community on Discord (psta.rs/Discord).

In the wake of new revelations and dramatic developments, James and Joe revisit the controversy surrounding the hand between Robbi Jade Lew and Garrett Adelstein on Hustler Casino Live. They also get the thoughts of this week's guest, Maria Ho. But her primary responsibility is to analyse Joe Stapleton. Specifically, to break down his play in a recent cash game. So, there's some detailed strat talk, as Maria pores over a series of hand histories (NLHE and PLO). Finally, Aaron Sinukoff from Canada competes for #PITE merch in 'Superfan vs Stapes', answering questions about the movie 'Catch Me If You Can'. Please subscribe and join the podcast community on Discord (psta.rs/Discord).

In the wake of the most controversial "hero call” of all time – a hand on Hustler Casino Live that has provoked allegations of cheating – James and Joe enlist the help of high stakes pro Sam Grafton to analyse the confrontation between Garrett Adelstein and Robbi Jade Lew (8c7c vs Jc4h), and provide his thoughts on what REALLY happened. Sam also discusses his recent huge score: winning $5.5m in a $200k invitational event at the Triton Super High Roller Series in Cyprus. None of this should overshadow Joe's accomplishment! He explains how he won a $10k World Series of Poker Main Event seat in a charity tournament in California at the weekend. Finally, Daniel Baron from the UK volunteers to 'Go' for glory and a #SundayMillion ticket in 'Superfan vs Stapes'. Please subscribe and join the #PITE community on Discord (psta.rs/Discord).

This was meant to be the #WCOOP 2022 recap episode. But the agenda changed on Sunday 25th September when there was a malicious Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack on PokerStars, resulting in the cancellation of all World Championship of Online Poker Main Events. Understandably, this left thousands of players angry and disappointed. So, James and Joe are joined by Chris Straghalis, Director of Online Poker Experience at Stars, to discuss what happened. Strag talks through the events of that night, apologises to those affected, explains how the site is responding to the threat of further attacks, and reveals plans for a bigger and better final weekend of WCOOP in November. Even though several tournaments have been postponed, there are still results from the series worth highlighting, so the guys check in with Howard Swains from the PokerStars Blog. And Sebastian Generali from the USA picks 'Donnie Brasco' as his specialist subject in 'Superfan vs Stapes'. Please subscribe and join the #PITE community on

Three weeks into the 2022 World Championship of Online Poker, James and Joe take stock of the series so far with Howard Swains from the PokerStars Blog. Plus, they speak to UK pro Benny 'RunGodlike' Glaser, who's having a solid #WCOOP: at the time of recording, he's won two trophies and has come second in five other events, making him a strong contender for Player of the Series. There's also some (amateurish) strat talk, as James tries to get his head around a hand that Joe played in a recent live tournament. Finally, Irish podcast listener Bennet Griffin goes for glory in 'Superfan vs Stapes', answering questions about the 1969 movie 'The Wild Bunch'. Please subscribe and join the #PITE community on Discord (psta.rs/Discord).

James and Joe recap a hugely successful #EPTBarcelona, re-living the highs (an incredible turnout, a series of entertaining live streams) and the lows (James getting sick, lightning striking the venue). Plus, they speak to the winner of the record-breaking EPT Main Event, Italian pro Giuliano Bendinelli. Joe also talks about his post-Barcelona vacation with Ben and Marle Spragg, and the guys look ahead to the 2022 World Championship of Online Poker: previewing their cards-up coverage of some of the biggest #WCOOP tournaments, including the 12 new World Championship events. Finally, Reece Poole from the UK is tested on his knowledge of the UEFA Women's Championship as he tries to win a $109 #SundayMillion ticket in 'Superfan vs Stapes'. Please subscribe and join the #PITE community on Discord (psta.rs/Discord).

In their final summer special, James and Joe look ahead to #EPTBarcelona 2022. The guys will be kept busy, with eight days of live streaming from the birthplace of the European Poker Tour (August 14th – 21st on the PokerStars Twitch and YouTube channels). On this podcast, they're joined by a Barcelona veteran: a player who won the first ever EPT Seniors Event and made the final table of the #EPT100 Main Event in 2014, before going on to win #EPTPrague and the WSOP Main. Yes, Hossein Ensan makes his first ever appearance on #PITE to discuss his poker career. Elsewhere, James and Joe find time to talk about what they've been up to in the summer months: a combination of poker, comedy, overseas travel and mingling with YouTube stars. Please subscribe and join the podcast community on Discord (psta.rs/Discord). Next episode: Friday September 2nd.

In their second summer special, James and Joe are joined by actor and poker fan Nick Peine ('A.P. Bio', 'Office Christmas Party') to review a gambling-themed film from 1955. Yes, it's a Poker Movie Monday (on a Wednesday, released on a Thursday), with an in-depth review of 'The Man with the Golden Arm', starring Frank Sinatra, Kim Novak and Eleanor Parker. The film is also the subject of this week's Superfan quiz, as long-time listener Stefan-Razvan Ens tries to win THREE #SundayMillion tickets. Please subscribe to #PITE and join the podcast community on Discord (psta.rs/Discord).

In the first of their #PITE summer specials, James and Joe tackle the serious subject of cheating in online poker. This comes in the wake of some high-profile cases involving the use of real-time assistance software. So, how big a problem is it? What other methods are players using to try to gain an unfair advantage? How does Stars stop people breaking the rules? These questions are directed to Francis Lincoln, Head of Game Integrity at PokerStars. Think of him as the Chief of the Poker Police! Francis talks in detail about his remit, and how his team combines advanced tech and human detective work to keep the online tables safe and fair. If you'd like to hear more from Francis – and have a specific subject you'd like him to address – please join the podcast community on Discord (psta.rs/Discord) and submit your question.

James and Joe reflect on the changes announced to the #SundayMillion and the first few days of the #WSOP in Las Vegas, before focussing on #PSPC 2023. They look ahead to the PokerStars Players No Limit Hold’em Championship – now confirmed for January in the Bahamas – with a summary of what’s happened so far (including the announcement and postponement), details of how to qualify, and an interview with a recent #PlatinumPass winner: Colm Chan from Ireland. Plus, with highlights of the first PSPC about to appear on the PokerStars YouTube channel (new episode every Friday), the guys chat to a qualifier who’s been there, seen it, done it. Toke Gerding Jensen, the former Superfan who won a Platinum Pass on #PITE, talks about playing the PSPC in January 2019 and featuring in the first couple of TV shows. Finally, Marco Biondi from Scotland chooses the Monaco Grand Prix as his specialist subject in this week’s edition of ‘Superfan vs Stapes’. Please subscribe to the podcast and join the conversation on Discord (psta

With the Spring Championship of Online Poker now in the books, James and Joe present their #SCOOP 2022 recap. They're joined by Howard Swains from the PokerStars Blog to provide the key stats and headline stories from the series. Plus, they talk to the champion of the $10k Main Event: 'WElcomeINnferNO'. The Austria-based player bested a field of 654 to win the trophy and $1.1m. In addition, the guys speak to Canada-based streamer Rayan 'Beriuzy' Chamas who was a fan favourite during the live coverage of the Main Event on Twitch and YouTube, and eventually placed 10th. Finally, Chris Robinson from Canada answers questions about the history of the World Series of Poker in his quest to win a #SundayMillion ticket in 'Superfan vs Stapes'. Please subscribe to #PITE and join the conversation on Discord (psta.rs/Discord).

It's an incredibly busy month for James and Joe. They've returned from Monaco, having streamed five days of the PokerStars EPT Presented by Monte-Carlo Casino, and are now half way through the 2022 Spring Championship of Online Poker. They recap #EPTMonteCarlo and enlist the services of the PokerStars Blog's Howard Swains to provide a mid-series #SCOOP update. Plus, there's the chance to hear from a couple of recent SCOOP winners: Fintan 'easywithaces' Hand and Tobias 'Senkel92' Leknes. Finally, Jordan McKnight from Canada competes for a #SundayMillion ticket in a basketball-themed edition of 'Superfan vs Stapes'. Please subscribe to #PITE and join the conversation on Discord (psta.rs/Discord).

James and Joe are heading to Monaco for the first time in three years for the PokerStars EPT Presented by Monte-Carlo Casino. They reveal they'll be hosting five consecutive days of live coverage (on Twitch and YouTube) and talk through the streaming schedule (Tuesday 3rd – Saturday 7th May). The guys are also joined by Masato Yokosawa, the Japanese poker player and vlogger who was recently named Favourite Poker Personality at the Global Poker Awards. He discusses the growing popularity of poker in his home country and reflects on playing EPT Prague last month. Finally, Charles Allen from Canada tries to win a #SundayMillion ticket, answering questions about 'The Book of Boba Fett' in 'Superfan vs Stapes'. Please subscribe to #PITE and join the conversation on Discord (psta.rs/Discord).

James and Joe are back from their Easter break with an extended episode, unveiling the streaming schedule for #SCOOP 2022, the new dates and venue for the second #PSPC and a couple of additional European Poker Tour stops. They recap the recent #UKIPTLondon festival, with Joe revealing what happened on and off the felt (minor spoiler alert: there's a hot tub involved). Plus, high-performance expert Coach Bahman joins the guys to discuss his work helping high stakes players and the new partnership between Raise Your Edge and PokerStars Learn. In addition, there are plenty of #FunFacts about a different type of coach! Finally, a #SundayMillion ticket is up for grabs, as Scott Barnett from the UK is quizzed on the sports comedy 'Slap Shot' in 'Superfan vs Stapes'. Please subscribe to #PITE and join the conversation on Discord (psta.rs/Discord).

James and Joe are joined by the reigning No Limit Hold'em world champion, 2021 WSOP Main Event winner Koray Aldemir. In addition to talking about his start in poker and his epic victory in Vegas, Koray answers YOUR questions (thanks to everyone who posted on Discord: psta.rs/Discord) and shares his expert knowledge of bears. Elsewhere, Joe prepares for his trip to England for #UKIPTLondon. He'll be playing a few tournaments at The Hippodrome. Plus, there's the chance to meet both podcast hosts at the special movie screening taking place on Wednesday 6th April. Finally, Scott Cooper from Australia gets his shot at 'Superfan vs Stapes', answering questions about the film 'Croupier'. #PITE is now taking an Easter break, and will be back at the end of April. Between now and then, please subscribe to the show.

Since their last podcast, James and Joe have been to #EPTPrague, where they streamed five days of the Main Event, and they've hosted live coverage of the final day of the epic #SundayMillionAnniversay. They recap both tournaments on this week's episode, with a particular focus on the long-awaited return of the European Poker Tour, and an interview with the online qualifier who claimed the Prague Main Event title: Grzegorz Glowny. Plus, #PITE listener Danny Hobo tries to win a #SundayMillion ticket answering questions about Maria Konnikova's book 'The Biggest Bluff' in 'Superfan vs Stapes'. Please don't forget to subscribe, and join the conversation on Discord (psta.rs/Discord).