Doug Polk Kills Tony Stand-Up Comedy; Michael Kaplan's Final Stu Ungar Story

In the 898th episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway, Kyna England, and Mike Holtz are back at Level 9 Studio to offer their thoughts on Doug Polk's recent appearance on Kill Tony, the popular Austin-based stand-up comedy program. How did Doug do in front of Tony Hinchcliffe and company? Let's just say you might be surprised.

Mike, who made a recent appearance in Daniel Negreanu's vlog, then sounds off on the cancelled WSOP Online bracelet event, the crew discusses the recently-announced changes to the WSOP Circuit, Chad goes to the world's largest casino collectibles show, and Matt Savage offers his thoughts as a special guest speaker.

Other topics include bracelet wins by Nick Schulman, Jason Koon, and John Racener, highlights from recent Charity Series of Poker (CSOP) events, and an exclusive interview with famed poker author Michael Kaplan, who recently released a new book, Advantage Players. The veteran scribe shares several poker stories, including Phil Ivey and Kelly Sun's baccarat edge sorting, the legendary Billy Baxter, and what it was like working with Stu Ungar in what was one of the final, if not THE final, interviews before he passed in 1998.

A new PokerNews Podcast will drop twice a week during the 2025 WSOP every Thursday and Sunday 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 | How's your WSOP going?
01:35 | Mike on Daniel Negreanu's vlog
02:30 | Doug Polk's Kill Tony appearance
06:30 | Sponsor – WSOP Free-to-Play App
07:40 | Update on cancelled WSOP Online bracelet event
13:47 | Changes to the WSOP Circuit
18:00 | Sponsor – WPT Global
18:35 | Casino Collectibles Show at South Point
19:09 | Interview with Matt Savage
20:30 | Nick Schulman claims 7th gold bracelet
21:45 | Jason Koon captures 2nd gold bracelet
22:58 | John Racener wins 3rd bracelet after having 3rd son
23:55 | Estonia's Haik Tougu wins record-breaking Hendon Mob Championship
28:33 | Highlights from the CSOP
31:54 | Exclusive interview with Michael Kaplan
32:30 | Interviewing Stu Ungar
36:30 | Hard time nailing down the interview
39:23 | Ungar gets upset with photographer
42:20 | Ungar hated the interview
42:20 | Phil Ivey & Kelly Sun edge sorting
46:36 | Poker Hall of Famer Billy Baxter
48:30 | New book 'Advantage Players'
51:10 | Everyone has an advantage player inside them