Mar 05 2025 35 mins 25
In the 881st episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway, Kyna England, and Mike Holtz discuss the controversy out of the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Circuit stop in which the third-place finisher actually held the best hand against Maurice Hawkins, who went on to win the tournament for a record-tying 18th gold ring.
The crew also dive into the wild tale of Michigan poker player George Jannsen, who last year claimed to have been kidnapped and extorted by the cartel. But now, the FBI is telling a different story, one involving fraud and millions of dollars. Find out what the four-time WSOPC ring winner and MSPT champ allegedly did.
Other stories covered include Fedor Holz saying WSOP bans are coming for online cheaters, GGPoker cancelling their $5M GTD tournament on Day 2, Jeremy Ausmus and others capturing Triton Poker titles, Daniel Negreanu taking down a PGT Mixed Game tournament, and the unfortunate passing of poker player Mark Toulouse during a tournament at Texas Card House Dallas.
Finally, check out our new segment "New Vlogs on the Block", find out who won our giveaway for a copy of The Las Vegas Book, and details on our next giveaway in conjunction with Tilted Compass.
The podcast is sponsored by the #1 free-to-play WSOP app. Remember to use bonus code "POKERNEWS" if you download and play for an extra 1,000,000 in chips!
A new PokerNews Podcast will drop weekly 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*
00:10 | Welcome Kyna England & Mike Holtz
01:08 | Poker player’s alleged kidnapping & FBI fraud investigation
03:00 | George Janssen in hot water
05:32 | Sponsor – WSOP Free-to-Play App
05:40 | Maurice Hawkins wins WSOPC Horseshoe Baltimore for 18th ring
06:12 | Controversy – Third-place finisher actually won the hand
08:15 | Did Maurice Hawkins know that he actually lost the hand?
12:56 | Fedor Holz says WSOP bans are coming for online poker cheaters
15:45 | GGPoker cancels $5M GTD tournament on Day 2
18:20 | Poker player Mark Toulouse collapses and dies during tournament in Texas
20:15 | Jeremy Ausmus wins first Triton Poker title
21:30 | Sean Winter & other Triton Poker Jeju winners
22:20 | Daniel Negreanu wins PGT Mixed Game Festival title
24:20 | Giveaway – The Las Vegas Book
26:45 | New giveaway by Tilted Compass
30:25 | New Vlogs on the Block: Jesse Fullen’s Feast or Fold
32:26 | Life Outside Poker w/ Brad Booth
