Table Of Contents Every sport has its legends—icons who define the game and inspire generations. In soccer, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo reign supreme. Michael Jordan and LeBron James tower above the rest on the basketball court. On the gridiron, Tom Brady and Peyton Manning are synonymous with greatness. In poker, two names shine just as brightly: Phil Ivey and Daniel Negreanu. They’re the faces of the game—the players who captivate both seasoned pros and home game heroes.

The Venetian Las Vegas, which earlier this year debuted its new 50-table, 14,000 square foot poker room (the largest on the Las Vegas Strip), just wrapped up its latest DeepStack Extravagana IV, which ran from November 27 through December 24. Through 62 events, the festival catered to a combined 9,895 entries and awarded $4,289,045 in prize money (not including satellites). They also forked over $14,850 in overlays. One big winner from the series was Jonathan Dimmig, who took down Event #30: $600 PLO Bounty for $4,941.

Table Of Contents We learned in 2024 that not only are bots still a problem at online poker sites, especially the unregulated ones, but they’re becoming an even bigger problem than in the past. Online poker is a great platform for learning how to play poker, playing poker for a living, or playing recreationally. But players should be aware that bots and real-time assistance (RTA) use aren’t just going to magically disappear.

Table Of Contents The New Year is not only an opportunity for poker players to look ahead, perhaps setting new resolutions and goals, but also a chance to look back at the year gone by. In 2024, that entails remembering those poker players, industry members, and personalities who unfortunately passed on. Here’s a look at some of those we lost over the past year. Founding Tiltboy Member Perry Friedman Passes Away Perry Friedman, one of the most colorful characters during the “Poker Boom,” passed away in January from pancreatic cancer at the age of 55.

Phil Nagy, ACR Poker’s head boss, reportedly told Scott Ball to “sue me” over a financial dispute, and that’s exactly what occurred just before Christmas. The poker pro filed a lawsuit in a San Diego Superior Court on Dec. 23 over a breach of contract against Nagy, ACR (formerly Americas Cardroom), International Processing Services, and Foozle Ventures. Ball’s talent agency, End Game Talent, LLC, was hired by ACR to arrange streamers to promote the poker site, many of whom reported they were never paid, including Ludwig Ahgren.

Table Of Contents Throughout the history of modern poker, women have shattered expectations, dominated tables, and built legacies. From Annette Obrestad conquering online games as a teenager to Vanessa Selbst reaching world number one in 2014, women have played pivotal roles in poker’s evolution. Names like Maria Ho, Liv Boeree, and Gaelle Baumann highlight the depth of female talent that has enriched the game. In 2024, no name shone brighter than Kristen Foxen.

Detroit police suspect poker pro Craig Bergeron shot and killed a man in his 30s Monday night and then fled the scene in a white SUV. The alleged killer, 34, was apprehended and arrested Tuesday evening. He was booked in the Wayne County Jail and will likely face a murder charge. Brief Details About Poker Player’s Alleged Crime Bergeron, according to a press release from the Detroit Police Department, is suspected to have fatally shot Tommy “Mike” Ireland, 37, on Detroit’s east side.

Table Of Contents Since the inception of the World Poker Tour World Championships (WPTWC) in 2022, the WPT has consistently ensured that each edition of its flagship festival offers something extraordinary to promote the game and give back to the community that has made the WPT one of the most recognizable brands in all of poker. The inaugural WPTWC set a new standard by featuring a $15 million guarantee on its $10,400 WPT World Championship—the largest guaranteed prize pool in live poker history at the time.

Table Of Contents The Vamos Poker Tour and Faded Spade, the playing card company, are partnering up for 2025. Under the terms of a new deal, Faded Spade will be providing the tour with decks to be shuffled up and dealt at each of the VPT’s European stops next year. As of now, the VPT has announced three stops — one in Milan, one in Bucharest, and one in Cyprus — with plans for further stops in Slovakia, Malta, Bulgaria, Portugal, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

Table Of Contents It was only February this year, but one of the big stories from early 2024 was Shaun Deeb’s bold $1 million prop bet with hedge fund manager Bill Perkins. Just under 12 months earlier, the five-time WSOP bracelet winner wagered $100,000 against Perkins that he could reduce his body fat to 17% by the start of the 2024 World Series of Poker (WSOP). With 10:1 odds, Deeb stood to win $1 million if successful.

Table Of Contents The Seminole Hardrock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood Florida and the Charity Series of Poker (CSOP) is hosting a charity tournament and social on January 16, 2025. The event will be an unusual mixed event, combining poker with blackjack. The event is called the All In for St. Jude Social and all proceeds from the tournament and social will go to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital — a specialist hospital in Memphis, Tennessee that focuses on research and treatment of cancers in children.

Table Of Contents In what was one of the most electrifying nights of poker action streamed in 2024, the July Hustler Casino Live special celebrity game delivered some of the biggest cash game moments, including massive slowrolls to huge bluffs. But amid the chaos, one hand in particular stood out: a remarkable showdown between soccer legend Neymar and fan-favorite poker player Alan Keating. The PokerStars ambassador Neymar found himself deep in a wild pot with Keating, where the action escalated to jaw-dropping levels.

Table Of Contents The story of the summer at the 2024 World Series of Poker (WSOP) was that of Scott Seiver winning three gold bracelets, a feat that hadn’t been accomplished in Las Vegas since Jeff Lisandro did it back in 2009 (Note: George Danzer won three bracelets enroute to becoming 2014 POY but one of them was at WSOP Asia-Pacific). Seiver’s summer performance was so good that it not only earned him 2024 WSOP Player of the Year Honors, despite strong competition from both Michael Rocco and Jeremy Ausmus but also the honor of being PokerNews’ No.

Table Of Contents The Sheraton Hotel and Casino in San Jose, Costa Rica, is the venue for the 2025 Costa Rica Poker Festival, an exciting way to kick off your live poker endeavors in the New Year. The Costa Rica Poker Festival runs from January 27 to February 3, promising an action-packed tournament schedule against a luxurious backdrop and with plenty of off-the-felt activities to help you relax away from the tables.

Table Of Contents It’s the season for giving and both PokerNews and PokerStars are giving you the chance to win a share of almost $2,500 worth of added tickets, including a seat in the massive $1,050 buy-in, $1 million guaranteed New Year Series Main Event. We have four PokerNews-exclusive tournaments running online at PokerStars between December 26 and January 9 that have $109 and $1,050 tickets added to their prize pools.

If given the option the pay off a $5,000 poker debt or have talented UFC fighter Chris Weidman choke you out, which do you choose? One poker player faced that exact scenario — pain or pay. The latter was chosen, and the mixed martial artist (MMA) posted a video of it on his Instagram page. “He Lost in poker last night. It was either pay 5k or get choked unconscious! What do you do?

Table Of Contents Everyone loves a poker underdog story, which is one reason for the popularity of the PokerStars Big Game. The PokerStars Big Game pitted a rank amateur, known as the Loose Cannon, against five professional players and poker celebrities over 150 hands of high-stakes No-Limit Hold’em. PokerStars staked the loose cannon with $100,000, with the amateur player keeping all winnings in excess of this initial amount. The highest-earning loose cannon at the end of each season won a North American Poker Tour (NAPT) passport worth $50,000.

Table Of Contents Kerryjane Craigie, a PokerStars Ambassador and Director of Poker at the Hippodrome Casino, has been busy navigating a whirlwind of poker events. But the highlight of her recent journey was the Women’s Winter Festival, a groundbreaking collaboration between The Hippodrome Casino and PokerStars. Focused on creating a welcoming, inclusive, and joy-filled environment, the festival showcased the very best of what poker can offer. In this blog, Craigie reflects on the festival’s success, the importance of positivity in poker, and her mission to celebrate the game’s unique sense of community.

Table Of Contents High Roller and Super High Roller poker tournaments are nothing new; they appear on the schedules of almost every major live tour. However, when you think about Super High Roller events, one name immediately springs to mind: the Triton Poker Super High Roller Series. Triton Poker ran its first event in 2016, a single HK$490,000 No-Limit Hold’em tournament in Manila. The series has since gone from strength to strength, adding more stops and events each year, culminating in an incredible 2024 that saw the world’s best players head to four destinations and battle it out across 47 events.

Table Of Contents A champion has been crowned in the $10,400 buy-in World Poker Tour World Championship (WPTWC) on Saturday, and his name is Scott Stewart. The newest member of the WPT Champions Club defeated Rob Sherwood heads-up to win $2,563,900, while the runner-up secured $2,200,000. It took almost no time on Day 6 for fireworks to ensue at the final table. Two players busted in the first two orbits, and another went out moments later.

Table Of Contents The World Poker Tour World Championship final table got underway on Saturday afternoon, with six players vying for a massive $3.1 million top prize and the honor of having their names engraved on the prestigious Mike Sexton Cup. The action, livestreamed on the WPT’s YouTube channel, exploded right out of the gate with three all-ins in the first orbit, setting the stage for one of the most exciting FTs of the year.

Daniel Negreanu gave his opinion on how to improve the game of poker, which includes banning face masks and sunglasses among other changes. The Poker Hall of Famer just completed a World Series of Poker Paradise (WSOPP) series that sums up his 2024 tournament performance — up and down. He reached two final tables and cashed in the $50 million guaranteed WSOPP Super Main Event (170th place), but lost money due to striking out in the $500,000 buy-in Triton Million Invitational.

Antonio Esfandiari made his presence felt in a long-awaited return to Hustler Casino Live Friday night. “The Magician,” who is now more focused on raising a family than playing poker, hadn’t appeared on the show since April 2022. It took little time for the poker legend to spin up his stack in the $100/$200 with a $200 big blind ante no-limit hold’em cash game. But despite winning almost $300,000, he was on the losing end of the biggest hand of the six-hour session.

Table Of Contents The 2024 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Paradise is in the books, and over the course of the series 15 gold bracelets were awarded. The PokerNews Live Reporting Team was on site throughout providing live updates, and during that time they caught some interesting and game-changing hands. Here’s a look at five hands of particular interest. Hellmuth Bricks Combo Draw In Event #5: $25,000 Dealers Choice Championship, it was Level 12 on Day 2 in a game of Omaha Hi-Lo when reporter Connor Richards wrote a big hand.

Table Of Contents The third annual $10,400 buy-in World Poker Tour World Championship (WPTWC) reached its final table, and six players still have a shot at the $3,138,900 first place prize. One of those players — Chris Moorman — made the final day in this same event a year ago. Edward Pak bagged the chip lead at 66,200,000, with Moorman in second place (60,800,000). Play will resume at 4 p.m. on Saturday from Wynn Las Vegas.

Table Of Contents What would you do if you won $10 million? Would you splash out on a luxury car, upgrade your home, or take the ultimate vacation? For 2024 World Series of Poker Main Event champion Jonathan Tamayo, none of those indulgences topped his list. During the World Poker Tour World Championships, Tamayo sat down with PokerNews and shared the scoop on some of his purchases thus far. He also reflected on his time as the reigning Poker World Champion, “solver-gate”, and gave his opinion on the WSOP’s new electronic device rules.

Table Of Contents It’s hard to imagine anyone busier this December than World Poker Tour CEO Adam Pliska. A constant presence at the WPT World Championships (WPTWC), Pliska has been at the heart of the action at Wynn Las Vegas, engaging with players from all walks of life as they share their stories of how they arrived at the WPT’s flagship event. From those at the top of the poker pyramid to those getting a taste of the action for the first time, Pliska consistently takes time out of his packed schedule to connect with the people who have made the WPT one of poker’s most iconic brands.

Table Of Contents This weekend, poker fans are in for a Christmas treat as PokerStars Ambassador and long-time Gloucester City FC fan Benjamin “Spraggy” Spragg takes on Brazilian football icon Neymar Jr at Brazil’s most prestigious poker event. The highly anticipated BSOP One Poker Show will feature a star-studded lineup, with the action live-streamed globally. PokerStars Ambassador Spraggy has travelled all the way to South America, and will sit down at the table alongside Neymar Jr, boxing champion Chris Eubank Jr, and fellow PokerStars Ambassador Alejandro “Papo MC” Lococo.

Table Of Contents Grosvenor Poker and the Amateur Poker Association & Tour (APAT) are celebrating their joining forces in 2025 by running two winter leaderboards, each boasting £3,000 in added prizes, including a £1,500 UK Open seat. The leaderboards are split into two: Main and Mini. You’ll earn points for the Main Leaderboard by competing in the £30 buy-in APAT Main Leaderboard tournament each Sunday. Points for the Mini Leaderboard are awarded for playing in a £5 APAT Mini Leaderboard tournament, also on Sundays.

Table Of Contents After two weeks of action on the felt here at the beautiful Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas, the 2024 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Paradise officially ended with Nick Schulman claiming victory in Event #15: $5,000 The Closer No-Limit Hold’em Bounty Turbo. The final tournament of the series attracted 238 entries, generating a prize pool of $1,190,000. Schulman defeated Ren Lin in a short heads-up match to capture the first-place prize of $145,000 as well as the coveted WSOP gold bracelet.

Table Of Contents A lucky queen on the turn to bring his World Series of Poker Paradise to an end was the culmination of a lifelong dream and a goal that Johannes Straver set for himself over the last few years. The Dutch high roller made it a point to play more live tournaments, dreaming of a moment like the one he experienced today when he took down the $10,000 GGMillion$ Championship, prevailing over a field of 532 entries and defeating Jon Vallinas heads-up to win the $807,430 top prize and his first WSOP gold bracelet.

Table Of Contents The Irish Poker Tour kicks off 2025 with a bang with the Galway Poker Festival running at the Galmont Hotel in Galway from January 1-6. However, before that festival, which comes with a €300,000 guaranteed Main Event, the Irish Poker Tour Final takes place at The Green Isle Hotel in Dublin from December 27-29. Many people feel like they are in limbo during the few days between Christmas and the New Year, but Irish Poker Tour fans won’t be short of things to do.

Table Of Contents Online and live poker crusher Chris Moorman is in a good position to reach the World Poker Tour World Championship (WPTWC) final table for the second straight year. The $10,400 buy-in tournament, which started with 2,392 entries, played down to the Sweet 16 on Thursday night at Wynn Las Vegas. Michael Berk entered the Day 4 session with the chip lead. But he busted in 31st place for $101,000.

Table Of Contents Today, 24-year-old Yinan Zhou bluffed poker’s toughest opponent, busted his poker idol and became the first-ever World Series of Poker (WSOP) Paradise Super Main Event as he won the $25,000 buy-in event in the Bahamas for $6,000,000 and his first bracelet. The first-ever Super Main Event, a $50 million guaranteed event that fell short of that lofty and historic goal by $550,000, drew 1,978 runners across four live starting flights and three online flights.

Table Of Contents While Day 4 of the World Poker Tour World Championship captured most of the attention, a quieter but equally intense showdown unfolded at Wynn Las Vegas. The $25,800 WPT Alpha 8, the highest buy-in event of the WPT World Championships, played out without live streams or big crowds—just an elite group of players focused on the game. For these top-tier luminaries, it wasn’t about fanfare. It was about closing out 2024 with one last shot at glory, battling some of the sharpest minds in poker for a year-ending triumph and taking the largest slice from the $2,775,000 prize pool.

Table Of Contents On Thursday, Day 2 of the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Paradise Event #14: Super Saver $1,000,000 Invitational played out. The freezeout tournament – which invited either bracelet holders who participated in the Super Main Event, $100K Package Early Bird purchasers, or GGPoker Package winners to participate – started with 487 players, but the last player standing was Brazilian poker pro Pablo Silva. Silva, who has been playing poker professionally for 14 years after initially learning the game online, had more than $3.

Table Of Contents Phil Hellmuth has reached a final table at WSOP Paradise as the all-time bracelet leader looks to extend his lead with an 18th bracelet. Hellmuth is one of nine players remaining in Event #12: $10,000 GGMillion$ NLH Championship, an event being live reported by PokerNews. Hellmuth is seated in the one-seat and toward the bottom of the counts, but he was front and center in the final table photo alongside the likes of Johannes Straver, Rui Neves and Arthur Conan.

Table Of Contents The first-ever World Series of Poker Paradise Super Main Event has been an event to remember with one of the most entertaining high-stakes players enjoying a dominant chip lead, an accomplished science communicator making a rare return to cards, and the man who ignited the Poker Boom falling just short of the final table. Yet all of this was overshadowed on Wednesday’s Day 4 by a checkered black-and-white piece of traditional Middle Eastern garb that almost led to poker’s second-winningest player of all time being disqualified from the $50 million guaranteed event.

Table Of Contents PokerStars ambassador Jason Koon has a price on his head in a new promotion from PokerStars North America. In a pair of special “Chasin’ Jason” freeroll tournaments that are scheduled for just before Christmas, PokerStars has put a massive bounty on Koon’s head. The prize for knocking Koon out of these tournaments is a European Poker Tour Gold Pass to the EPT Monte Carlo worth $10,300. The Gold Pass includes a buyin to the EPT Monte Carlo main event and it also covers the cost of plane tickets and accommodation.

Table Of Contents There’s a brand-new poker series coming to Europe in 2025 and it’s going to be massive: The PokerStars Open. The series comprises six standalone stops plus two Open Main Events at European Poker Tour (EPT) Barcelona and EPT Monte Carlo, with each featuring a €1/£1 million guaranteed Main Event. The PokerStars Open replaces the Estrellas, Eureka, FPS, and UKIPT , promising to take elements of these popular tours to make the new PokerStars Open a roaring success.