PokerNews Podcast

In the 946th episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway, Mike Holtz, and Ben Ludlow shoot a show devoted to examining the recently-released affidavit against The Lodge in Texas, which was raided by authorities last Tuesday. What were the details of the warrant? Find out here.
Plus, Doug Polk recently issued a new statement and is committed to making sure players are taken care of. But what do the details of the affidavit mean for the future of The Lodge and Texas poker in general? Well, unfortunately, it doesn't look good. Find out why in the latest episode.
A new PokerNews Podcast drops every Thursday at 8a PT / 11a ET / 4p UK time. Remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you do not miss an episode!
Time Stamps
*Time    Topic*
00:00 Welcome to the show
00:37 Initial reactions to the warrant
04:40 Statement from Doug Polk
06:20 What does the affidavit say?
12:00 What should players do?
13:50 What state laws were violated?
14:40 Who are the owners?
16:30 Is the loophole being closed?
17:00 What about the $1.35M?
19:25 What's likely to happen next?
21:45 Will Doug Polk fight?
23:50 Is this the end of poker rooms in Texas?
27:13 Final thoughts

In the 945th episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway, Mike Holtz, and Ben Ludlow shoot a show devoted to the latest updates following The Lodge in Texas being raided by authorities. A lot has happened since the raid last Tuesday at Doug Polk's famed card room, which recently issued a new statement.
While we have some answers, there are still plenty of unanswered questions, given that the club remains closed and no formal charges have been filed. It remains an open investigation, os right now, players and owners have no recourse but to sit around and wait, not to mention the hundreds of staff currently out of work and awaiting some sort of clarity.
Hear about the facts as we know them, a timeline of events, and some of the current speculation as to what might be the root cause of the raid. Is it illegal gambling? Money laundering? Who might be involved? The crew explores it all.
A new PokerNews Podcast drops every Thursday at 8a PT / 11a ET / 4p UK time. Remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you do not miss an episode!
Time Stamps
*Time    Topic*
00:00 | Welcome to the Show
01:00 | The Lodge issues new statement
05:09 | WPT postpones event
09:30 | No formal charges filed at this time
15:00 | History lesson on the rise of poker in Texas
22:00 | Why no one should be gloating
24:30 | What did Brad Owen have to say?
26:00 | Speculation abounds
31:40 | Poker should just be made legal

In the 944th episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway, Mike Holtz, and Connor Richards react in real-time to breaking news -- that The Lodge in Texas was being raided by authorities. It was an unexpected development at Doug Polk's famed card room that you can read more about here.
From there, the trio updates you on the cheating poker dealer from Texas that was highlighted in Episode 940. See new surveillance footage obtained by PokerNews that clearly shows exactly what went down. Another story includes Fedor Holz departing as a GGPoker Ambassador and stepping away from poker, which led to a discussion as to whether or not he's had a Poker Hall of Fame-worthy career.
Other stories include winners from the PokerGO Cup, straddles in tournaments, Joseph Spanne taking down the 2026 Wynn Millions, Mukul Pahuja & Nick Rigby claiming PokerNews PowerStack titles, and the passing of a beloved poker player. Finally, the show ends with the reveal of a recent The Hendon Mob Award winner.
A new PokerNews Podcast drops every Thursday at 8a PT / 11a ET / 4p UK time. Remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you do not miss an episode!
Time Stamps
*Time    Topic*
00:00 | Welcome to the show
01:05 | The Lodge Card Club raided in Texas
06:00 | Cheating poker dealer exposed
13:30 | Worst fold in poker history?
20:58 | Fedor Holz leaves GGPoker; is he retiring?
24:03 | Fedor Poker Hall of Fame worthy?
26:42 | PokerGO Cup winners
29:35 | Straddles in tournaments?
32:33 | Joseph Spanne wins 2026 Wynn Millions Championship 
32:55 | Mukul Pahuja wins Borgata PokerNews PowerStack
33:10 | Nick Rigby wins three tournaments at RGPS St. Louis
34:20 | WWII Veteran Gene Bellar passes away at 101
36:00 | Koen Roos receives The Hendon Mob Award

In the 943rd episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway, Mike Holtz, and Ben Ludlow are joined by TJ Reid at Level 9 Studio in Las Vegas. The quartet talks about the viral and vulnerable tweet sent by famed vlogger Brad Owen, who was open about burnout and how he's currently feeling within the poker space. It's an intimate look at a part of the game that's not often talked about.
They then discuss the perfect 300 bowling game of Ryan Riess, who won some money from Jesse Lonis, as well as Jorge Abreu crushing the EPT Paris final table, getting lucky in a wild hand and against Felix Schneiders heads-up, and wins from Nick Seward and NFL Hall of Famer Richard Seymour. Plus, Chad was at the RunGood Poker Series (RGPS) Reno to play in his first PokerNews PowerStack. See highlights from that tournament, as well as Hamid Izadi's win in the stop's main event.
Finally, a shoutout to podcast colleagues Dara O'Kearney and David Lappin on their new respective sponsorship deals! Find out where they landed and what it means for the future of The Chip Race.
A new PokerNews Podcast drops every Thursday at 8a PT / 11a ET / 4p UK time. Remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you do not miss an episode!
Time Stamps
*Time    Topic*
00:00 | Welcome to the show
01:00 | Brad Owen's heartfelt tweet
09:40 | New content creators
12:15 | Ryan Riess bowls a perfect 300
16:10 | Jorge Abreu wins EPT Paris
16:51 | Wild hand at the final table
21:10 | Abreu vs. Felix Schneiders
24:15 | Big Sey wins at WSOP Circuit Cherokee
27:20 | Nick Seward wins WPT Venetian
29:15 | Hamid Izadi wins RGPS Reno
30:45 | Chad's PokerNews PowerStack adventure
32:50 | Dara O'Kearney & David Lappin land new deals

In the 942nd episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway, Mike Holtz, and Ben Ludlow are joined by Jeff Platt at Level 9 Studio in Las Vegas. The quartet talks about Platt's new role with the World Series of Poker (WSOP) and what all that entails.
Find out what all you can expect from the 2026 WSOP as the former cohost of the PokerNews Podcast talks about being a face of the brand, live viewer experience, storytelling, the Poker Hall of Fame, and much more.
Plus, Platt shares some of his favorite WSOP moments that he's been a part of over the years, moments that include Doyle Brunson and Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi.
Find out all about those stories and more in this week's episode of the PokerNews Podcast!
A new PokerNews Podcast drops every Thursday at 8a PT / 11a ET / 4p UK time. Remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you do not miss an episode!
Time Stamps
*Time    Topic*
00:00 | Welcome to the show
01:40 | New role with the WSOP
04:43 | Being the face of a brand
10:30 | WSOP Circuit to ramp up
12:33 | Live viewer experience
18:55 | Player storylines
21:50 | Poker Hall of Fame
25:46 | More leaderboards the better
28:16 | Favorite WSOP moments
33:00 | Creating buzz via storytelling
34:18 | What should poker fans expect?