Big things are happening in the USA. The inaugural #NACOOP has been a huge success. Maria Konnikova, author of 'The Biggest Bluff', is returning as an ambassador. The North American Poker Tour is coming back after more than a decade. So, James and Joe bring Steve Preiss, VP of PokerStars North America, onto the podcast to talk about what players can expect at #NAPTLasVegas (November 4-12 at Resorts World Las Vegas), his plans and ideas for the coming months, and the prospect of more states and provinces regulating online poker. Plus, as the 2023 World Championship of Online Poker enters the home straight, #WCOOP Correspondent Howard Swains provides a summary of the latest headlines (spoiler alert: Benny Glaser continues to dominate the agenda). And London taxi driver Mark Johnston is not giving away his shot. He competes for a Bronze Power Pass, answering questions about the musical 'Hamilton' in 'Superfan vs Stapes'. Please subscribe to #PITE and join our community on Discord (psta.rs/Discord).

286. Steve Preiss (VP, PokerStars North America) and WCOOP update with Howard Swains

Every week, the hosts of PokerStars TV (James Hartigan and Joe Stapleton) bring you a behind-the-scenes look at what it's like being two regular folks on the international poker circuit. Told from the perspective of a cranky British dad (Hartigan) and an undateable American bachelor (Stapes), Poker in the Ears is a mostly uncensored take on the world of professional poker. The hosts also regularly call in favours, in the form of guest spots from their big-shot celebrity poker-playing friends. And they routinely hold on-air competitions, providing chances for listeners to join them on tour.

James and Joe are about to head to the PokerStars European Poker Tour Presented by Monte-Carlo Casino. They look ahead to seven days of live streaming (April 28th – May 4th) on the PokerStars Twitch and YouTube channels, plus a second edition of the #MysteryCashChallenge. Among the players taking part in this cash game at #EPTMonteCarlo is YouTube star Alexander Seibt, aka: Wolfgang Poker. He joins the guys, just minutes after arriving in Monaco, to talk about his expectations for the game and reflect on the incredible success of his recent videos, one of which has received more than 100m views! Finally, Arpi Toth chooses the TV show 'Nathan for You' as his specialist subject in 'Superfan vs Stapes'. Please follow/subscribe to #PITE and join our community on Discord (psta.rs/Discord).

306. EPT Monte-Carlo preview with Wolfgang Poker

In a change to our advertised programming, James and Joe are joined by poker player, coach, content creator, author, and commentator Lexy Gavin-Mather. In an extended interview, Lexy talks about her start in poker, her years as an online grinder, her first foray into live poker at the PCA, finding love on the circuit, and diversifying into coaching and writing. Meanwhile, a former member of the #PITE production team, Viviana Pazmino, volunteers for 'Superfan vs Stapes'. And Joe is NOT happy about her chosen specialist subject. Please follow/subscribe to the podcast and join our community on Discord (psta.rs/Discord). Also, make sure you subscribe to James's YouTube channel (youtube.com/@James_Hartigan) and heed Joe's edict: positive feedback only!

305. Lexy Gavin-Mather

James is celebrating a deep run and a $5k score in the #SundayMillionAnniversary. He and Joe also celebrate the champion 'CrossBreed17', having streamed the final table and the winning moment on the PokerStars Twitch channel. They guys are then joined by Jon Sofen, Senior US Editor at PokerNews, to discuss the latest poker stories from North America, including the WPT Voyage, controversy surrounding the WSOP Tournament of Champions, and a win for Robbi Jade Lew. Finally, Josh Rawlings from the UK hopes to continue his streak of winning Power Passes from #PITE, as he competes against Joe in a quiz about the movie 'Poor Things'. Please follow/subscribe to the podcast and join our community on Discord (psta.rs/Discord). Check out video highlights from #PITE300 on James's YouTube channel (youtube.com/@James_Hartigan).

304. Sunday Million Anniversary recap, plus news update from Jon Sofen (Senior US Editor, PokerNews)

James and Joe are back from Dublin – and Stapes has recovered from a nasty stomach bug – so they recap the last few days of the #IrishOpen in the company of Main Event champion Tero Laurila: the first ever Irish Open winner from Finland. He talks about his 20-year poker career and what it means to him to win such a historic title. Meanwhile, Swedish listener Robin Berg tries to secure a victory of his own in 'Superfan vs Stapes', answering questions about 'Captain America: Civil War'. Please follow/subscribe to #PITE and join our community on Discord (psta.rs/Discord).

303. Irish Open 2024 champion Tero Laurila

It's a special edition of the podcast recorded on location at the #IrishOpen in Dublin on Day 1A of the Main Event. James and Joe have had the chance to play a couple of tournaments, and Joe scored big in one of them. Felix Schneiders from Team Pro streamed the final table on Twitch, so joins the guys to discuss Joe's journey to (near) victory. Event owner Paul O'Reilly then sits down to talk about the history and legacy of the Irish Open and why he believes it's become such a popular festival. Finally, pros David Lappin and Dara O'Kearney – hosts of the award-winning 'Chip Race' podcast – reveal what this iconic event means to them. Expect to hear from both David and Dara on the Irish Open Main Event live stream, broadcasting on the PokerStars Twitch and YouTube channels: Friday 29th March – Monday 1st April. Please follow/subscribe to #PITE and join our community on Discord (psta.rs/Discord).

286. Steve Preiss (VP, PokerStars North America) and WCOOP update with Howard Swains

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