Exclusive Interview w/ Will Kassouf, Self-Proclaimed ‘Donald Trump of Poker’ | PokerNews Podcast #912
In the 912th episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway comes to you from the Chamada Prestige Hotel & Casino, which is currently hosting the World Poker Tour (WPT) Cyprus Championship. It's there that he caught up with Will Kassouf for an exclusive interview to discuss his controversial run in the 2025 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event, why he acts the way he does, and where things currently stand between him and the WSOP. Chad also asks if he experienced any sort of mental health situation during the WSOP, or perhaps was influenced by any sort of substances, while also inquiring how Kassouf thinks he's perceived in the poker world. Spoiler Alert: he says he is the 'Donald Trump of poker.'
Chad then sat down with WPT commentator Tony Dunst, who bagged Day 1a of the $3,500 WPT Cyprus Championship. The two Wisconsin boys talk about visiting Cyprus for the first time, sports, and what life is like nowadays for the debonair Dunst, who has now been with the WPT for 15 years!
These are two interviews that you don't want to miss!
Time Stamps
| Time | Topic |
|---|---|
| 00:00 | Welcome to the show from Cyprus |
| 01:04 | Sitting down with the controversial Will Kassouf |
| 02:00 | Have you learned from the WSOP? |
| 06:00 | Feeling singled out by players & staff |
| 08:35 | Were you in your right mind? Was there a mental health episode? |
| 11:24 | How do you think you’re perceived by the poker world? |
| 13:45 | Do Americans not like table talk? |
| 15:19 | Where do things stand with you and the WSOP? |
| 18:20 | Did you tip? |
| 23:05 | Addressing the tanking issue |
| 28:40 | Playing the WSOP Circuit Bratislava |
| 31:15 | Do you have upcoming playing plans? |
| 33:00 | A Bay 101 Shooting Star? |
| 36:00 | Kassouf’s thoughts on Martin Kabrhel |
| 38:51 | WPT Cyprus at Chamada Prestige Hotel & Casino |
| 39:27 | Kassouf’s big hand in the WPT Cyprus Championship |
| 45:53 | Interview with the WPT’s Tony Dunst |
| 49:31 | Dunst’s thoughts on Will Kassouf |
| 51:18 | What were you doing back in Wisconsin? |
| 54:20 | What’s life like for Tony Dunst? |
| 58:45 | What remains on your poker bucket list? |
| 1:01:15 | A look ahead to the WPT World Championship |
Tell us who you want to hear from. Let us know what you think of the show — tweet about the podcast using #PNPod, and be sure to follow Chad Holloway on X.
Subscribe to the PokerNews Podcast on Apple Podcasts here! You can also find us on Spotify as well as our new page on SoundCloud!
In this Series
- 1 Kassouf & WPT Global Qualifiers Headline Start of the WPT Cyprus Championship
- 2 2025 WPT Cyprus Coming to Chamada Prestige Hotel & Casino August 6-18
- 3 Alexsandr Pak Leads WPT Cyprus Day 1a, Tony Dunst & Romulo Dorea Find a Bag
- 4 Miracle River Gives Brazilian Vlogging Superstar Rare Triple KO at WPT Cyprus
- 5 WPT Prime Cyprus Bubble Boy Gets Revenge By Bagging Championship Chip Lead
- 6 Exclusive Interview w/ Will Kassouf, Self-Proclaimed ‘Donald Trump of Poker’ | PokerNews Podcast #912
- 7 Germany’s Metin Yalciner Bags Biggest Stack on Day 1c of WPT Cyprus Championship
- 8 Will Kassouf Discusses WSOP Controversy: “I Was Only Reacting to How I Was Being Treated”
- 9 Ludovic Geilich Wins WPT Cyprus Mystery Bounty; Ilia Kitsbabahvili Claims Two Side Event Titles
- 10 Bubble Bursts: Big Prize Awaits Winner 11 Years After Last WPT Main Event in Cyprus
- 11 After Six Final Tables Ray Qartomy’s Quest for a "Dream" Title Continues at WPT Cyprus
- 12 WPT Cyprus Final Table Set, Elena Litviniuk Seeks to Become 3rd Women to Win WPT Open Main Event
- 13 It’s a Hattrick! Ilia Kitsbabahvili Wins Two Side Events Plus WPT Cyprus Championship ($401,100)
- 14 Hands of the Week: Crushed Dreams at WPT Cyprus; Kassouf Left Saying “Not Good”
