Jared Bleznick, who has featured on the World Series of Poker (WSOP) livestream, received backlash from some poker fans after comments he made about Monday’s Seniors High Roller event during a broadcast.
The sports cards entrepreneur and founder of Blez Sports let it be known while in the commentary booth that he was none too thrilled with the cameras shifting away from the $250,000 Super High Roller to some Seniors High Roller coverage.
This year’s daily WSOP livestreams focus mostly on one event, but also dip away at times to catch up on action in other bracelet events. Bleznick, a colorful commentator and accomplished high-stakes player, didn’t seem to appreciate the additional coverage on Monday.
“I Don’t Care”: Blez’s Seniors Comments Spark Debate
Bleznick’s frustration boiled over during broadcast cutaways to Monday night’s final day of the $5,000 Seniors High Roller, while the $250,000 Super High Roller played down to three-handed action on the feature table.
Turning to fellow commentator Ali Nejad, he said, “Ali, I can’t take this… I’m not watching a Seniors Event when we’re three-handed for $4 million dollars. Get me out of the Seniors Event, Ali, get me out of here folks!”
Bleznick doubled down moments later, adding, “All 25-30,000 people are not here to watch the Seniors Event. I’m not sitting next to you, you are one of the greatest commentators to ever do this, I’m not sitting next to you to watch a Seniors Event, Ali.”
Nejad, one of the lead commentators on this summer’s WSOP broadcasts, attempted to steer the conversation back to the action by highlighting an interesting hand developing on the secondary table. But Bleznick replied bluntly, “I’ll say it again, I don’t care!” prompting Nejad to respond, “Come on! It’s not fair!”
The poker community was quick to react to Bleznick’s polarizing commentary, with many taking to X to criticize the one-time WSOP bracelet winner’s brutal assessment of the Seniors High Roller.
888poker Main Event co-host Aaron Barone said he found Bleznick ‘using the broadcast as a vehicle to openly belittle another event… in poor taste.’
Meanwhile, Lee Bradbury questioned whether the commentator’s attitude would deter new people from getting into the game of poker.
Commenter Mz Rosenberg accused Bleznick of “throwing a tantrum” before offering his own Czech-inspired solution to the matter.
However, the reaction to Bleznick’s commentary was not all negative, far from it, with plenty rushing in to defend the commentary.
WSOP bracelet winner and two-time WSOP circuit winner Rob Kuhn said there was ‘argument to be made that Bleznick might be the GOAT commentator.’
One commenter largely concurred with Kuhn on the debate, saying Bleznick’s shtick was a ‘parody of the modern commentator’ and that he is ‘the greatest commentator to walk the planet and it’s not even close’…
Finally, perhaps one X user, Greg Branson, offered the most measured analysis…
Bleznick is a high roller himself, having won the $50,000 High Roller at the 2024 WSOP for $2,037,947. So, mid-stakes tournaments aren’t his jam. But, judging by some tweets, there clearly is an audience for these lower-stakes events, and not only for the nosebleed games.
What do you make of Blez’s attitude to the Seniors High Roller event? Let us know below!
Eliot Thomas
Editor, Poker & Casino