Put Your Hands Up! Another Poker Room Raided in Texas

In the 968th episode of the PokerNews Podcast, which is sponsored by FanDuel Poker, Chad Holloway, Mike Holtz, and Ben Ludlow are at Level 9 Studio in Las Vegas for the 2026 World Series of Poker (WSOP).

To kick things off, they show footage from a recent police raid at Houston's Lucky J's Social Club in Texas. While it may have been reminiscent of the raid at The Lodge back in March, it's actually quite different, as the crew explains.

From there, they turn their attention to the WSOP, including a look at the brand new main stage arena that debuted on Friday. Hear from the new WSOP Countdown crew, including Jeff Platt, David Williams, Norman Chad, and Joe "Stapes" Stapleton. Plus, a tour of the WSOP shop featuring brand new merchandise and clothing that harkens back to the WSOP days of old.

Speaking of the WSOP, the first bracelet has been awarded, 90-year-old legend Perry Green made a deep run, and High Stakes Live is coming in June!

Other stories include Shawn Sheikhan getting out of prison, Daniel Negreanu and his wife are expecting their first child, and an entertaining live-stream from The Lodge featuring Doug Polk, Garrett Adelstein, and Alan Keating, the last two playing against each other for the first time. Oh, and you won't want to miss the tale of Big John Oakinson.

A new PokerNews Podcast drops three times a week during the 2026 WSOP! You can expect a new episode every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday 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
00:30 | New Sponsor: PokerStars x FanDuel
01:09 | Houston poker room raided
08:20 | Shawn Sheikhan out of prison
11:30 | WSOP debuts new main stage arena
15:20 | A look at the new WSOP merchandise
16:55 | Big John Okinson
17:47 | Daniel Negreanu having a baby!
19:00 | PokerNews Podcast giveaway
21:09 | PokerNews MyPlayers
22:25 | First WSOP bracelet awarded
23:15 | WSOP legend Perry Green makes a run
24:20 | High Stakes Live coming to WSOP
26:45 | Polk vs. Adelstein vs. Keating at The Lodge
28:10 | CSOP Event #100