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FLATLINE: US Online Poker Revenue Stabilizes After Decline from Pandemic Highs

Online poker had a tremendous year and Internet gaming revenue continues to hold strong compared to previous years. US poker revenue has stabilized month over month, but overall totals are up almost double year over year.

In November that meant a slight dip in New Jersey and staying the same in Pennsylvania. Online poker revenue has slowed since the initial boom when the Coronavirus pandemic began.

However, these numbers remain high in comparison to recent years. They could also see gains in coming months. Brick and mortar poker rooms were mostly open in the Northeast throughout November.

However, temporary shutdowns are now coming to live poker rooms again in some states including PA.

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New Jersey online poker dips just a bit, WSOP.com retains market lead

In the Garden State, online poker remained flat month over month in November. But with the winter approaching another upward trend could be on the horizon. 

The NJ Division of Gaming Enforcement’s (NJDGE) reported online operators brought in $2.4 million in revenue for the month.

The total was slightly down month over month, but a 60.6% increase year over year. The state reported $2.5 million in revenue in October. New Jersey online operators currently include:

WSOP.com remains top dog in NJ and was the only operator to see a revenue increase from October. The platform reported $958,481 in revenue in November, up from $951,651 in October. The site’s Fall Online Championships may have helped.

WSOP.com scored $1 million revenue numbers at the beginning of the pandemic. That might be possible again in December. 

The operator is currently hosting the annual $10,000 Main Event along with international operator GGPoker. The final tables are to be played live in Las Vegas and the Czech Republic (the latter has now wrapped up).

The winner from each final table will go heads up for a bracelet and an additional $1 million. WSOP.com remains the only operator with a shared player pool among New Jersey, Nevada, and with 888poker in Delaware. 

PokerStars, partypoker revenues slide slightly 

PokerStars earned the silver medal in the state, but saw a small dip in revenue. The site reported $736,590 for the month, a decrease from $842,307 in October.

The partypoker US Network (including the BorgataPoker.com and BetMGM skins) produced $701,546 for November. That’s a decrease from $723,816 in October.

However, both sites remain strong for the year. With more players at home during December, those numbers could rise. PokerStars has scheduled the New Jersey Classic for Dec. 27. The $200 event features a $100,000 guaranteed prize pool.

Partypoker ran one of its Online Series in early December. The site is also partnering again with the World Poker Tour.

The $3,500 buy-in WPT Online Poker Open runs Dec. 27–29 with a $1 million guarantee. This is the first WPT Main Tour online event held in the US and should produce nice numbers.

NJ poker rooms reopen, Internet gaming surges

The Borgata was the first live casino to reopen in New Jersey since the pandemic lockdown. However, the property hasn’t made any plans for a major live tournament series in the near future.

Harrah’s will become the second poker room to reopen in Atlantic City on Dec. 26. 

“Harrah’s Resort is thrilled to re-open our World Series of Poker room just in time for the new year, which will serve as the destination for poker in Atlantic City at our Caesars Entertainment resorts,” senior vice president and general manager Ron Baumann told the Press of Atlantic City.

While some surrounding states have announced casino closures, Gov. Phil Murphy (D) hasn’t announced any future closings for NJ.

Overall online casino revenue is up year over year. According to the NJDGE , iGaming reached $91.8 million in November compared to $49.1 million in 2019. That’s an increase of 87%.

The Garden State brought in a total of $30.6 million in gaming tax revenue for the month. Gaming taxes represent 8% of taxable casino gross revenue and 15% of Internet gaming gross revenue.

PokerStars keeps pace in Pennsylvania

In the Keystone State, PokerStars remains the only operator through its partnership with Mount Airy Casino. Partypoker and WSOP.com have also been approved in the state but have yet to launch.

In November, PokerStars saw revenue of $2.4 million. That’s the same revenue figure as October, but an increase of 225% from the same month in 2019.

With the state’s casinos now closed again, those numbers may rise again for December. The site is currently running the Turbo Series with $500,000 guaranteed across 56 events.

The site is also planning another Pennsyl-MANIA event on Dec. 27. The $200 event comes with a $500,000 guarantee.

For total online gaming, the Keystone State brought in just under $60 million for November. That’s a massive increase from $9.7 million for the same month in 2019. That total generated $24.5 million in tax revenue. 

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Delaware sees online poker decline

The Delaware Lottery reported online poker revenue totaled $36,471. This is down about 20% from October but up 50% year over year.

Delaware online poker is operated by the 888poker platform. Three brick and mortar racetrack/casinos host the software and make up the online player pool. Those include: 

  • Delaware Park
  • Dover Downs
  • Harrington Casino and Raceway

Delaware Park continues to draw the largest revenue in the state, about half of the poker revenue. Dover Downs brought was second and the only site to show a month-over-month increase. 

Delaware live poker rooms are still out of operation because of COVID-19 closures. No plans have been announced to reopen at this time. 

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ONLINE STRATEGY SESSION #2: Sit & Go’s, Short Stacks, and More with Maria Ho

Maria Ho may be one of the busiest people in poker. That includes commentating on major events on the PokerGO streaming service and ESPN.

Her schedule also includes regular speaking gigs via the PeTalk coaching app. Ho’s poker and communication skills have certainly paid off. In 2019 she won the Global Poker Award for broadcaster of the year.

At the tables she’s earned $4 million in live tournament winnings including five World Series of Poker final table appearances. Ho’s resumé includes four World Poker Tour final tables and a WPTDeepstacks title.

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Ranked among the top five female players in the world, she became the youngest member of the Women in Poker Hall of Fame in 2018.

Players looking to improve their online poker skills will find Ho has plenty to offer. She spoke with USPoker about sit and go strategy, satellite survival, and dealing with hyper-aggressive players.

Some sit & go, satellite strategy advice

When it comes to these single-table tournaments, Ho says it’s not ideal to turn up the aggression early. Stay focused and avoid spots where you’d have to risk a lot of chips. She sees these events as similar to how one might play a satellite.

“My general strategy is to take a fairly conservative approach until the later stages,” Ho says. “It’s important to remember that it doesn’t matter how many chips you end up with at the end as long as you qualify.

“Finding opportunities to chip up in low variance pots that don’t involve a lot of confrontation is a great way to put yourself in a qualifying chip position.”

Expanding on that scenario, maybe a player has been smart and won a few nice pots. That player has now built a nice chip stack and may be looking to adjust to this situation.

Maria Ho jumping in the World Poker Tour commentary booth with Vince Van Patten at the HyperX Esports Arena. (photo courtesy WPT)

How does a player handle a big stack in a sit & go or satellite when with quite a few players left? Ho says it’s important to not become too aggressive. Forget those ideas of running the table with any two cards.

“Make sure to not over-pace yourself as the big stack,” she says. “It’s easy to fall in the trap of wanting to play every pot and bully other players as the big stack.”

That doesn’t mean to avoid engaging. Make some moves with good cards, especially toward players with smaller stacks.

“If you are getting close to the bubble then there is definitely a huge advantage to being increasingly aggressive as the big stack when most players are in survival mode,” she says. “But pay close attention to the game flow and shift gears when necessary.”

Battling aggression from the blinds and working up a short stack

Every player has been there. Each time you’re on the small or big blind, the same player keeps putting in a hefty raise right near the button. How do you battle these players and defend those blinds?

“If the effective stack size is still fairly deep, then consider peeling a bit wider especially when facing small raises,” Ho advises. “Getting to the flop is a good way to realize your equity especially against a wide opening range.”

In the opposite scenario of the previous section, playing a short stack well is also important. What are some things to keep in mind when trying to work a small chip stack back up?

Maria Ho battles is out at a WPT final table in Las Vegas. (photo courtesy WPT)

Staying in control and not feeling the need to just “get it in” is key. Knowing your opponents at the table also helps.

“Nowadays there is a lot more maneuverability with a short stack than previously exercised,” she says. “You can peel from the big blind against a min raise much more liberally than before.

“The best tip I can give on working a short stack up is to not to allow desperation or panic to creep in. Instead focus your energy on finding a good spot to shove and honing in on your opponents’ preflop ranges to gain more insight on how to play your hands accordingly.”

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Bonus advice on folding from Maria Ho

Obviously, folding is a major part of poker. Key folds can extend a player’s life in a tournament or help avoid big losses in a cash game.

It may hurt to lay down a big hand, but sometimes players have to think long term in these situations. Ho recently took to Twitter to offer players some advice on the subject.

To follow Maria Ho on Instagram click here. To book her a PepTalk speaking or coaching session, click here.

For the first edition of Online Poker Strategy Session with Jonathan Little, click here.

Photos courtesy WPT

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MASSIVE MOMENTS: A Look at Five of the Biggest Hands from ‘High Stakes Poker’

High Stakes Poker returns Dec. 16 with 14 new episodes on PokerGo with 20 of the top cash grinders in the world. Some new faces emerge, but many famous players such as Phil Ivey, Phil Hellmuth, and Tom Dwan will be back in action.

The legendary cash game started during the poker boom in 2006 and was an instant hit. The series ran on the Game Show Network (GSN) until 2010.

♠♠♠ For more on the debut of the eighth season of High Stakes Poker including insight from Phil Hellmuth and Doyle Brunson, click here. ♠♠♠

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Ten years after the show ended, reruns and YouTube clips have kept its popularity alive. The high rollers are now back at the table and viewers will be pleased.

 

High Stakes featured some huge moments through the years – highlighting some of the biggest bluffs ever caught on camera. Viewers also saw how fast a million bucks could swing from player to player with the turn of a card.

With the new season debuting this week, here’s a look at some of the most memorable hands.

1 – Greenstein’s Aces get cracked 

Barry Greenstein went toe to toe in this hand for heaps against Sammy Farha. Greenstein is in a dream situation when he gets it all in with his A♥A♣ against Farha’s K♣K♦.

The hand turns into a $361,000 nightmare when Sammy hits a K♥ on the flop.

 

2 – Brad Booth bluffs Phil Ivey 

Recently Brad Booth was the center of a missing person case. Luckily Booth was located and confirmed to be okay. Many will remember Booth for one of the most epic bluffs ever against poker legend Phil Ivey.

Ivey held K♥K♦ and Booth did him dirty with 4♠2♠. It is quite memorable hand against one of the biggest names in the game.

 

3 – Gus Hansen hits quads against Daniel Negreanu 

Daniel Negreanu’s 6♠6♥ went heads-up against Gus Hansen 5♦5♣. Both players hit a set on the flop of 9♣6♦5♥. The fireworks began and the pot exploded. Hansen ended up winning more than $575,000 when after making quads on the turn. 

 

4 – Aces no good Barry Greenstein

Greenstein had his luck tested again in as he reraised with A♦A♣ preflop. Dwan called with K♠Q♠ and Peter Eastgate with A♠K♥. The pot was already at almost $50,000 before the flop.

The flop came Q♥4♠2♠, creating a giant hand about to erupt. Dwan ended up cracking Greenstein in a $919,000 pot – one of the biggest cash game pots ever on television. 

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5 – Jamie Gold cut down by Patrik Antonius 

Fresh off of his 2006 World Series of Poker Main Event victory, Jamie Gold appeared on the show. His duel with Patrik Antonius stands out. After an Antonius raised to $4,000, Gold three-bet to $14,000 with K♠K♦ and Antonious called with A♠J♦.

The flop brought 3♠Q♦10♥ and Antonious called Gold’s $15,000 bet. The turn then dropped the K♥. Action kicks up as both players get it all in. The players decide to run the river three times for insurance and Gold sucks out on two of those. 

Where to see more High Stakes Poker

Along with the new season, all the classic episodes can be watched exclusively on PokerGo. Poker fans will see plenty of high stakes action mixed with some trash talk and fun.

“It truly represents a raw, unscripted high stakes cash game,” legendary televised poker producer Mori Eskandani says. “We don’t make the rules, we react to the rules players make. That’s why you will see many cash game situations like running it twice, sleeper straddle, and more in HSP first.”

Here’s an inside look of the new High Stakes Poker set and some things to watch out for.

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DECEMBER NINE: Final Table Set in WSOP Main Event With Joseph Hebert Chip Leader

After two days of action at WSOP.com, the final table is now set in the World Series of Poker $10,000 Main Event. The action now shifts to live play at the Rio in Las Vegas on Dec. 28.

Joseph Hebert returns as chip leader when play resumes. The final table of the GGPoker international half was set for Tuesday at King’s Casino in the Czech Republic.

The two winners then battle it out heads-up on Dec. 30 at the Rio for the bracelet and $1 million. It’s been a unique Main Event, but the end appears now in site barring any COVID-related setbacks.

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A look at the WSOP Main Event final table

Joseph Hebert

Hebert hails from Metairie, Louisiana, and looks to be in the driver’s seat when action resumes. With more than twice his nearest opponent, he’ll have plenty of chips to battle with.

Three-time bracelet winner Upeshka De Silva may be the most recognizable name remaining in the field. He emerged from Day 1 as chip leader, but now finds himself with work to do.

De Silva sits in eighth and looks to be the most experienced player on this stage. When looking at US online poker markets, three players remain from New Jersey and one from Pennsylvania. Here’s a look at all the final table players.

2020 WSOP US Main Event Final Table

Position Name Chips Hometown Resumé
1st Joseph Hebert 13,052,534 Metairie, Louisiana • $668,000 in live tournament winnings
• Biggest cash (2013) – 2nd in WSOPC New Orleans Main Event for $140,932
2nd Shawn Stroke 5,252,000 Lawrence, New York • $68,175 in live tournament winnings
• Biggest cash (2013) – 2nd in $365 WSOP.com Online event for $94,265
3rd Ryan Hagerty 5,071,572 Somerset, New Jersey • $341,128 in live tournament winnings
• WPTDeepstacks winner (2019) – $70,865
4th Ye Yuan 4,829,459 Madison, Wisconsin • $6,774 in live tournament winnings
5th Michael Cannon 4,408,847 Harrisburg, Pennsylvania • $184,584 in live tournament winnings
• Took 9th in WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open in 2019 for $ 72,842
6th Gershon Distenfeld 3,475,481 Bergenfield, New Jersey • $10,375 in live tournament winnings
• 7th in a WPTDeepstacks event in 2019
7th Ron Jenkins 2,476,746 Los Angeles, California • $388,819 in live tournament winnings
• Won $225 event at the Bicycle Casino in 2010 for $70,012
8th Upeshka De Silva 2,151,969 Katy, Texas • $3.1 million in live tournament winnings
• 3 WSOP bracelets
9th Harrison Dobin 1,581,392 West Long Beach, New Jersey • $101,125 in live tournament winnings
• 8 cashes in recent WSOP Online at GGPoker

 

Other big names hit the rail

Several other big name players were in the mix for Day 2 but didn’t make the final table. Maria Ho made a deep run, finishing 22nd for $35,194, and Jason Somerville finished 32nd for $29,779.

Scott Seiver finished 39th for $25,718 and Freddy Deeb 46th for $22,334. 2013 WSOP Main Event Ryan Riess took 47th for $22,334.

Four-time World Poker Tour champion Darren Elias took 50th for $22,334. Two-time bracelet winner Shankar Pillai finished 51st for $22,334. 2018 888poker Crazy Eights bracelet winner Galen Hall bowed out in 53rd for $22,334. Poker commentator Nick Schulman took 55th for $20,304.

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Key links to follow the action

ESPN will be filming all the action at both final tables and the heads-up match. However, those looking for live coverage of the GGPoker final table will be out of luck. There are a few places fans may want to follow to check out the action.

  • WSOP.com – will be providing live updates on the US final table
  • GGPoker YouTube – will be posting highlights from the final table in the Czech Republic
  • GGPoker Twitter – regular updates throughout the final table
  • WSOP  and WSOP.com Twitter – regular updates on the final table and heads-up match

The action at the live final table was already underway on Tuesday afternoon. At press time, Damian Salas moved from third to chip leader with three players remaining.

A win would complete quite a Main Event run for Salas after finishing seventh in the event in 2017 for $1.4 million.

★★★ For a complete review of WSOP.com and an exclusive USPoker bonus, click here. ★★★

Joseph Hebert photo courtesy WSOP

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Despite Dismissal Of Lawsuit, Tribes Not Done Fighting Against California Cardrooms

The latest lawsuit from California Native American tribes — which aimed to force the state to crack down on cardrooms for offering traditionally banked games such as blackjack — failed this month.

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower court’s ruling in the lawsuit against California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

The Yocha Dehe Winton Nation, Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians and Sycuan Band of Kumeyaay Indians tried to compel the state to enforce their exclusive right to offer banked card games.

PlayCA spoke with representatives of Yocha Dehe and the California Gaming Association to get their reaction to the decision.

California cardrooms celebrate court ruling

California cardrooms haven’t had much to celebrate in 2020, as many of them are currently closed due to stay-at-home orders related to the coronavirus spike while tribal casinos remain open.

But they did just receive good news that they can continue operating as normal when the state returns to normal.

Kyle Kirkland, president of the California Gaming Association, called the lawsuit an attempt by tribal casinos to gain a monopoly.

“We applaud the decision made by the Ninth Circuit Court which supports the right of California cardrooms to operate and dismisses the tribes’ baseless claims,” Kirkland said. “This lawsuit is another attempt by certain tribes to monopolize gaming in California and waste taxpayer dollars defending against the tribes’ false perception of gaming exclusivity. We appreciate the Court recognizing the State has no obligation to enforce tribal opinion.”

Kirkland pointed to the following as the key language in the court decision:

“Nothing in the compacts purports to impose on the State the obligation to enforce its laws against non-Indian cardrooms, and nothing in the contracts suggests the Tribes may seek that remedy based on an alleged breach of any exclusivity guarantee. We would also be reluctant to read such an extraordinary remedy into the compacts because California law does not permit the State to ‘contract away its right to exercise the police power.”

Tribes disagree with lawsuit outcome

Yocha Dehe public information officer Ben Deci said the tribes respect but strongly disagree with the Ninth Circuit’s decision.

“A right without a remedy is meaningless,” Deci said. “The State’s police powers cannot be at issue when, as detailed in the Tribes’ complaint, the State itself has expressly allowed and encouraged the illegal cardroom gaming.”

Deci noted that the Ninth Circuit did not affirm the dismissal on the same grounds as the lower court. The district court found that tribal gaming compacts do not compel the state to protect Tribes’ constitutional rights. Instead, Deci said, the appeals court concluded that any remedy the federal courts could provide would invade the state’s police powers.

“It is important to keep in mind that the State has never disputed the merits of the Tribes’ position that cardrooms are violating the law,” Deci said. “To the contrary, various high-ranking representatives from the Department of Justice, the Bureau of Gambling Control and the Attorney General’s office have admitted that California cardrooms are playing prohibited house-banked card games, and are also playing blackjack, which is illegal under the Penal Code. This illegal gaming could not occur absent the State’s express approval.”

What’s next for tribal-cardroom battle

Yocha Dehe is not ready to say if it will pursue this case any further. But the only place it can go is to the Supreme Court, which isn’t likely to take up the case.

Deci asserted that tribes will continue efforts to preserve the rights guaranteed them by the constitution through whatever means necessary.

They could get additional means if voters approve the tribal sports betting initiative in 2022. Tribes recently submitted signatures for local officials to check for validity. The initiative would allow tribes to file lawsuits directly against cardrooms if the state will not act.

Kirkland is confident the cardrooms would continue to fend off legal challenges from the tribes.

“Just because they say our games are illegal doesn’t make it true,” Kirkland said. “Ask them to point to the law that makes them illegal. Our games are legal and regulated by the Bureau of Gambling Control. The tribes don’t have exclusivity to offer blackjack games. Blackjack is a general term, and the way our games are offered is very different from their games. You couldn’t go into a tribal casino and ask to be the dealer.”

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BACK IN ACTION: ‘High Stakes Poker’ Returns to PokerGO With Plenty of Cash on the Line

Big cash, big hands, and big personalities. Those are some of the reasons poker fans fell in love with High Stakes Poker – and it all made for big fun.

Poker fans are in luck with the eighth season of the show returning to PokerGO with 14 new episodes. The show debuts on Wednesday, Dec. 16, with a lineup of high rollers ready for action.

Viewers can look for plenty of Hold’em and hijinks from players like Phil Hellmuth, Phil Ivey, Ben Lamb, Jean Robert Bellande, Bryn Kenney, and others.

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Bringing back a poker classic

High Stakes Poker debuted in 2006 on GSN (Game Show Network) and was one of the first televised cash games. The show ran until 2011 and featured hundreds of thousands of dollars wagered in a single night.

Betting and bluffing such large sums of money was intoxicating for players more accustomed small stakes games with friends. The table talk from players like Doyle Brunson, Antonio Esfandiari, and Mike Matusow only added to the entertainment value.

The series featured AJ Benza and Gabe Kaplan calling the action with Kara Scott later stepping in for Benza. Norm Macdonald replaced Kaplan in the show’s final season and original episodes are also available on PokerGO.

Originally filmed at the Palms, Golden Nugget, South Point, and Bellagio casinos, the action now shifts to the PokerGO Studio at Aria. PokerGO has gone all out to bring the show back a decade since it went off the air.

That process involved purchasing the show from GSN then building a stage similar to previous seasons. Producers then invited players they thought would mix well. Strict pandemic rules were also put in place to keep players and staff safe. 

“Players were thrilled to find out the show was making a comeback,” Poker Hall of Famer and legendary televised poker producer Mori Eskandani says. “Many were disappointed that they couldn’t travel to participate due to COVID. The process was similar to what we’ve done in the past – finding a group of players who know each other well and are willing to mix it up on camera.”

 Finding that mix helps make the show more than just simply about cards and chips. While the stakes may be high, fans can relate to the needling, jokes, and festive atmosphere.

“It truly represents a raw, unscripted high stakes cash game,” Eskandani says. “We don’t make the rules, we react to the rules players make. That’s why you will see many cash game situations like running it twice, sleeper straddle, and more in HSP first.”

Fans can expect producers to continue with that winning formula. There are some new players, but the feel of the show remains the same. Benza and Kaplan are even back in the commentary booth for the revival.

Eskandani notes: “I’m confident the future seasons will build upon this season and get better and better.”

Phil Hellmuth ready for High Stakes

No one may be more excited for the return of High Stakes Poker than 15-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner Hellmuth. He believes the show mixes “great personalities and great players.”

The first episode has $400/$800 blinds with a $200,000 minimum buy-in and features Bellande, Kenney, Rick Salomon, Tom Dwan, Nick Petrangelo, and others.

Hellmuth wasn’t up for playing as much during the show’s first incarnation. Almost 10 year later he was happy to jump in the mix.

“I wasn’t playing much No Limit Hold’em, not regularly, and I wasn’t nearly as steady as I am now,” he told USPoker. “I had trouble playing my best when I was tired. And my cash bankroll had me feeling short when I played. I lost money, and didn’t look great doing it.”

The Poker Brat says that’s changed and he’s won 23 of 25 times in televised cash games recently. That’s included shows like Poker After Dark, Live at the Bike, Poker Night in America, and others. He felt ready and in Hellmuth style, hoped to show off his skills.

“This year on High Stakes Poker I risked $400,000 of my own money,” he says. “I was comfortable, I knew that I had earned my seat at the table, and I was ready to show the world that I’m a great player.”

What to expect on PokerGO

PokerGO has led the charge in offering live poker in recent years. High Stakes Poker adds to a growing lineup that includes shows like High Stakes Duel, Poker After Dark, WSOP Classic, and more.

When new High Stakes episodes go live, Hellmuth believes fans will be pleased. Look for plenty of chips flying around the table with plenty of jabs among players.

“The atmosphere was amazing,” he says. “Fun, jovial, and Tom ‘durrrr’ Dwan put on quite a show. It’s amazing that he can play so many hands, and still manage to win –  truly impressive.

“We all get along so well, lots of laughter on the set. This group is so clever. Watching Dwan and Rick Solomon battle is great. I win a lot of money, but not by playing every hand. There aren’t many players on the planet that can do that, play 40% of the hands and win big. But Dwan and Solomon are two of those rare guys.”

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Looking back with Doyle Brunson

When it comes to playing high stakes poker, Doyle Brunson might be more synonymous with those terms than anyone. The 87-year-old, 10-time bracelet winner still plays at some of the highest stakes around.

Like Hellmuth, Brunson describes High Stakes Poker as the “best show ever. Everything about it was good.” While he hasn’t been asked to appear yet, he’s expecting an invitation soon and is interested in jumping in.

Brunson played in some of the original episodes and one aspect of the series sticks out in his mind. His memory coincides with some action and talk surrounding the current battle between Daniel Negreanu and Doug Polk.

This old school player plans on sticking to his experience and instincts rather than software and solvers.

“I remember Daniel Negreanu repeatedly ran into coolers,” he says. “Those bad beats made people think Daniel was a bad player when he really is one of the elite players.

“Of course after hearing about all these solvers I know nothing about, I’m anxious to see if I can compete now. I’ve played nothing but mixed games for years.”

On a show with so much money on the table and interesting personalities, which did Brunson enjoy more – the action or the camaraderie? Both it turns out – with a goal in mind.

Ever the card shark, Brunson used some of his opponents’ bravado against them. His strategy brought plenty of paydays.

“Everybody was trying to impress the audience with unusual plays, so I played ABC hands,” Brunson says. “I remember winning 15 times before finally having a loser.”

High Stakes Poker debuts Dec. 16 on PokerGO.

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