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.
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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