6,000 MAD Main Event | 2025 Unibet DeepStack Open Marrakech

09-21-2025 21:23 UTC+1

Is this the End of Poker in America? Here's Why the Future Looks Bleak | PokerNews Podcast #917

Calum Grant

Level 30 : Blinds 75,000/150,000, 150,000 ante

In the 917th episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway and Mike Holtz are joined by Ben Ludlow to talk about the latest stories from the poker world, including a discussion on the future of poker following the failure of a provision that would've mitigated the concerning gambling tax implications of the Big Beautiful Bill. Is there still time to turn things around?

The trio then discusses some of Monarch's recent seven-figure heads-up matches, Phil Hellmuth issuing a $1,000,000 challenge, and recent tournament winners from the 888poker LIVE London, including Gang Wang, Aaron Barone, and Vivian Saliba.

Chad then sits down with the winner of PokerNews' World Tournament of Slots (WTOS) giveaway. Find out who will be headed to the Bahamas in October, where they'll have a shot at a million bucks and the opportunity to meet reigning World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event champ Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi.

Finally, Chad reveals the latest code word for this year's NAPT Gold Pass giveaway valued at $10,000! There are not many up for grabs this year, so you won't want to miss out on this limited opportunity to win one just by listening to the PokerNews Podcast and MSPT Podcast Presented By PokerNews.

A new PokerNews Podcast drops every Thursday at 8a PT / 11a ET / 4p UK time. Remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you do not miss an episode!

Click here to listen to the new PN Podcast!

09-21-2025 21:32 UTC+1

Updated Stacks

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Calum Grant

Level 30 : Blinds 75,000/150,000, 150,000 ante

Player	Chips	Progress
Ahmed Blili	11,025,000 150,000	150,000
Quentin Laugt	9,500,000 200,000	200,000
Habib Rachedi	7,800,000 7,800,000	7,800,000
Tristan Forge	6,800,000 150,000	150,000
Belghiti Smail	5,425,000 1,650,000	1,650,000
Manuel Lopez	4,000,000 500,000	500,000

Frederic Popot	2,225,000 150,000	150,000

09-21-2025 21:42 UTC+1

Small One for Forge

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Calum Grant

Level 30 : Blinds 75,000/150,000, 150,000 ante

Belghiti Smail A♥9♥ raised to 300,000 from early position and Tristan Forge A♠5♠ called from the small blind.

The latter paired up to take lead after the dealer put out the 7♥6♦5♦ flop. It checked through to the 10♠ turn, where Forge remained ahead. Belghiti check-called a bet of 325,000, bringing in the 4♥ river. It checked through to showdown and Forge took the pot.

Player	Chips	Progress
Tristan Forge	7,125,000 325,000	325,000
Belghiti Smail	4,800,000 625,000	625,000

Tags: Belghiti Smail Tristan Forge

09-21-2025 21:51 UTC+1

Lopez Chips Up

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Calum Grant

Level 30 : Blinds 75,000/150,000, 150,000 ante

Manuel Lopez opened to 300,000 from under the gun. Quentin Laugt called from the big blind.

Laugt check-called for 200,000 on the J♥9♥5♦ flop. On the 2♣ turn, Laugt folded his 8♥5♥ to a bet of 750,000. Lopez was ahead with Q♠Q♦ and he took in the pot.

Player	Chips	Progress
Quentin Laugt	9,900,000 400,000	400,000
Manuel Lopez	4,650,000 650,000	650,000

Tags: Manuel Lopez Quentin Laugt

09-21-2025 21:54 UTC+1

Dinner Break on Stream

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Calum Grant

Level 30 : Blinds 75,000/150,000, 150,000 ante

The stream is now on the dinner break, and will resume in 15 minutes.

Player	Chips	Progress
Ahmed Blili	10,725,000 300,000	300,000
Quentin Laugt	10,200,000 300,000	300,000
Tristan Forge	7,125,000
Habib Rachedi	7,125,000 7,125,000	7,125,000
Manuel Lopez	4,950,000 300,000	300,000

Belghiti Smail	4,425,000 375,000	375,000
Frederic Popot	2,225,000

Level: 31

Blinds: 100,000/200,000

Ante: 200,000

09-21-2025 22:20 UTC+1

Frederic Popot Eliminated in 7th Place (120,000 MAD)

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Calum Grant

Level 31 : Blinds 100,000/200,000, 200,000 ante

Habib Rachedi raised on the button and snap-called when Frederic Popot jammed for 1,825,000 from the small blind.

Frederic Popot: Ax7x All in
Habib Rachedi: KxKx

Rachedi found another set of kings on the K♣10♠8♣ flop. He sealed the checkmark on the 8♠ turn before the 4♣ river arrived.

Player	Chips	Progress
Habib Rachedi	9,350,000 9,350,000	9,350,000
Frederic Popot	Busted

Tags: Frederic Popot Habib Rachedi

09-21-2025 22:33 UTC+1

Life Outside Poker: Sam Abernathy's Journey from Poker Stardom to Motherhood

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Calum Grant

Level 31 : Blinds 100,000/200,000, 200,000 ante

Life Outside Poker is a podcast for PokerNews hosted by Connor Richards that seeks to pull back the curtain on poker players and allow viewers and listeners to get to know them on a personal level.

In the 34th episode, Connor talks with WSOP free-to-play app ambassador Sam Abernathy about growing up in Georgia, studying design, the similarities between gymnastics and poker, finishing third in the 2016 Aussie Millions Main Event, and a notorious slow roll she suffered in that event.

Abernathy also talks about first getting into poker through the WSOP Play app before becoming an ambassador years later, motherhood and being married to fellow poker player Lautaro Guerra, who finished 15th in this year's WSOP Main Event for $450,000.

Learn More About Life Outside Poker!

09-21-2025 22:39 UTC+1

More Chips for Blili

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Calum Grant

Level 31 : Blinds 100,000/200,000, 200,000 ante

Ahmed Blili defended his big blind with 8♥6♣ after Quentin Laugt made it 450,000 with A♣8♣ from the hijack.

The chip leader outflopped his opponent, cacthing a pair on the 7♦6♠4♣ flop that checked through to the 3♦ turn.

Blili fired out 375,000 and Laugt called with his ace-high. The [] river checked through to showdown and Blili extended his lead.

Player	Chips	Progress
Ahmed Blili	12,550,000 1,825,000	1,825,000
Quentin Laugt	9,375,000 825,000	825,000
Habib Rachedi	9,100,000 9,100,000	9,100,000
Tristan Forge	6,125,000 1,000,000	1,000,000
Manuel Lopez	5,200,000 250,000	250,000

Belghiti Smail	4,425,000

Tags: Ahmed Blili Quentin Laugt

09-21-2025 22:57 UTC+1

Laugt Flats with Big Slick and Takes the Lead

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Calum Grant

Level 31 : Blinds 100,000/200,000, 200,000 ante

Ahmed Blili J♦9♦ raised to 400,000 from under the gun. Quentin Laugt A♣K♥ and Habib Rachedi 2♠2♣ called from the cutoff and big blind.

The A♥J♣5♦ flop checked through to the 6♦ turn. Laugt was ahead with top pair-top kicker, while Blili had a pair and a flush draw. Blili bet 375,000 before Laugt made it 1,400,000. Rachedi ditched his ducks and Blili went into the tank, and then called.

Blili checked when the 8♥ river arrived, and faced a bet of 2,800,000. He ended up making a good fold and Laugt took the pot.