PN Podcast: PokerNews Cup, Hellmuth Wins, & Bekavac Talks Midway Poker Payout Debacle
In the latest edition of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway and Jesse Fullen discuss Phil Hellmuth's victory over Scott Seiver in Round 4 of High Stakes Duel III, announce the upcoming PokerNews Cup June 24-28 at Golden Nugget Las Vegas, and preview the WPT Choctaw final table, which includes Chance Kornuth.
Speaking of Kornuth, he pledged 1% of his winnings to Randy Gordon, a poker dealer battling cancer, and he is also selling Las Vegas mansion for $3.5 million, two stories also discussed in this episode. Chad and Jesse then talk about Jaret Villarreal winning a WSOP Main Event seat on ClubGG for the second year in a row, remember noted poker author and columnist Bob Ciaffone, and preview this weekend's CSOP St. Jude “Against All Odds” charity event.
Finally, Chad sits down with Midway Poker Tour co-founder Dan Bekavac, who 19 months after a controversial payout debacle made affected players whole. Bekavac, a controversial figure himself who recently captured a record fourth MSPT title, talks openly about the situation for the first time.
Click here to learn what happened at the Midway Poker Tour.
Listen to those stories and more on the latest PokerNews Podcast!
Time Stamps
| Time | Topic |
|---|---|
| 00:30 | Welcome to the show |
| 00:45 | Two guys talking about poker |
| 01:28 | Teasing guest Dan Bekavac – here’s the plan |
| 06:30 | PokerNews Cup coming to Golden Nugget June 24-28 |
| 10:56 | Phil Hellmuth defeats Scott Seiver in High Stakes Duel III Round 4 |
| 15:00 | Sponsor: 888poker |
| 16:13 | Midway Poker Tour players made whole |
| 19:33 | Dan Bekavac joins the show |
| 21:00 | Genesis of the Midway Poker Tour |
| 23:20 | What was the payout situation? |
| 24:40 | Marked-up silver |
| 25:44 | Was it a scam from the get go? |
| 27:20 | Operating during the pandemic |
| 29:05 | Where was Bekavac when things went south? |
| 31:00 | The charity – 4 KIDS Sake, Inc. |
| 32:35 | Who is Jason Trezak? |
| 34:07 | Have you had any contact with the charity? |
| 35:40 | Were the hotels and dealers paid? |
| 36:48 | We’re you going to pay back players from PokerBros proceeds? |
| 38:06 | Showing up to play – what were you thinking? |
| 48:23 | Not being on-site was not a good look |
| 40:54 | What would you do differently? |
| 41:44 | Where did the tournament fees go? |
| 42:45 | Changing your social media to distance yourself from Midway Poker Tour |
| 43:40 | Issuing a statement after the debacle |
| 44:44 | Are you a degenerate? |
| 45:30 | Dealing with the stigma |
| 46:39 | Repayment timeline |
| 47:58 | Repayment details |
| 50:02 | Winning a 4th MSPT title |
| 51:45 | Is MSPT Player of the Year on your mind? |
| 52:25 | How do you want the poker world to regard you? |
| 54:05 | Did the state or any authority look into the Midway Poker Tour debacle? |
| 56:36 | Previewing the WPT Choctaw final table |
| 58:43 | Beloved dealer Randy Gordon wins free seat before impending cancer battle |
| 1:00:27 | Chance Kornuth selling Las Vegas mansion for $3.5 million |
| 1:02:43 | Jaret Villarreal wins WSOP Main Event seat on ClubGG for 2nd year in a row |
| 1:05:30 | Sponsor: GGPoker |
| 1:06:10 | Noted poker author & columnist Bob Ciaffone passes away |
| 1:07:05 | Chad & Jesse headed to St. Jude “Against All Odds” |
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