In the 829th episode of the PokerNews Podcast, which is sponsored by PokerStars, Chad Holloway, Mike Holtz, and Kyna England are back at Level 9 Studio in Las Vegas to talk about Doug Polk being denied a new poker room in Texas. Check out some highlights and clips from a city council meeting in which Polk went to the podium to plead his case. While some respected what he had to say, some poker players like Chris “Big Huni” Hunichen and Matt Waxman were critical of his motives.
Speaking of Polk, he indicated he might be available to participate in Hustler Casino Live’s (HCL) $1,000,000 Cash Game at the end of the month after Ethan “Rampage” Yau dropped out. The latter, who has been on a downswing and recently admitted to shedding tears over a $550K loss, caught some flack for pulling out after asking fans to buy pieces and was the subject of a negative video released by Alex Duvall. Find out what the crew thinks about Rampage’s current predicament, including a World Series of Poker (WSOP) challenge issued by Holtz.
Also, learn about Sofie Dossi contorting herself at the Celebrity Poker Tour Invitational III, which was won by Katie Thurston for $20,000, as well as hearing from PokerNews Ambassadors Keith Becker (Pennsylvania) and Kyle Anderson (Ontario). Finally, the crew remembers two-time bracelet winner & music icon Steve Albini, who unexpectedly passed away earlier this week.
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Time Stamps
| Time | Topic |
|---|---|
| 00:49 | Welcome to Episode #829 |
| 01:01 | Kyna is back! |
| 01:09 | Doug Polk denied new poker room in Texas |
| 02:15 | Other parties against poker expansion |
| 02:53 | Farmer’s Branch Council votes down request 4-1 |
| 03:20 | Doug Polk talks to PokerNews before the vote |
| 05:24 | Kyna’s thoughts on the city council meeting |
| 06:58 | Is sports betting legal in Texas? |
| 08:08 | Texas still the wild west; no regulations & scandals |
| 10:10 | Disparity on how Texas poker rooms are run |
| 11:45 | “No Card Room” sign at meeting |
| 14:00 | Doug Polk speaks at the meeting |
| 16:20 | What’s next for Polk’s Texas efforts |
| 16:55 | Big Huni, Matt Waxman & other call out Polk |
| 19:45 | Doug Polk read for the Million Dollar Cash Game? |
| 20:00 | Ethan “Rampage” Yau backs out of HCL Million Dollar Cash Game |
| 21:35 | Rampage on a downswing |
| 23:48 | Rampage admits he cried after $550K loss |
| 25:32 | Alex Duvall releases inflammatory video about Rampage |
| 29:00 | Has Rampage lost perspective? |
| 32:30 | Do young players in the game know/respect history of the game? |
| 34:47 | Rampage offers WSOP prop bet |
| 35:19 | Mike Holtz challenges Rampage to WSOP bet |
| 36:35 | Rampage feeling the heat |
| 39:03 | Sofie Dossi contorts herself at Celebrity Poker Tour Invitational III |
| 44:28 | How do you feel about celebrity events? |
| 44:53 | Do you love or hate Vegas Matt? |
| 48:48 | Katie Thurston wins Celebrity Poker Tour Invitational III for $20,000 |
| 49:45 | Sponsor: PokerStars – 2024 SCOOP is happening now! |
| 51:41 | Get to know PokerNews Pennsylvania Ambassador Keith Becker |
| 52:26 | Get to know PokerNews Ontario Ambassador Kyle Anderson |
| 53:40 | Two-time bracelet winner & music icon Steve Albini passes away |
Tell us who you want to hear from. Let us know what you think of the show — tweet about the podcast using #PNPod, and be sure to follow Chad Holloway, Kyna England, and Mike Holtz on X.
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PR & Media Manager
PR & Media Manager for PokerNews, Podcast host & 2013 WSOP Bracelet Winner.