High Stakes Poker was the most iconic poker TV show of all time, and after more than nine years of it being off the air, it is returning to PokerGO with Season 8 episodes beginning on Wednesday, December 16.
Debuting in 2006 on the Game Show Network, High Stakes Poker took the poker world by storm, providing some of the most entertaining high stakes cash game hands played by some of the icons of the game. Previous filming locations included the Golden Nugget, The Palms, South Point Casino, and the Bellagio, but Season 8 will take place solely in the PokerGO Studio at ARIA Resort & Casino.
PokerGO posted a video to playlist High Stakes Poker. October 21 at 11:00 AM Top poker hands from High Stakes Poker Season 2 featuring Gus Hansen, Daniel Negreanu, Mike Matusow, Eli Elezra, Erick Lindgren, Todd Brunson, and many others! If you love poker, then you will love PokerTube. The world's largest Poker Media website has everything you need to follow the games that matter to you. With over 20,000 videos available covering a wide variety of live and online games, Pokertube is a priceless resource for enthusiasts and professionals alike. High Stakes Poker Best Poker Hands Season 1. PokerGO posted a video to playlist High Stakes Poker. October 14 at 11:00 AM Top poker hands from the iconic first season of High Stakes Poker featuring Phil Hellmuth, Daniel Negreanu, Sammy Farha, Barry Greenstein, and Ted Forrest!
Use code 'HSP2020' for $10 off a PokerGO subscription now!
With COVID-19 completely upending the poker landscape in 2020, PokerGO recently took some strides forward to provide new content. This includes the recent completion of High Stakes Duel between Phil Hellmuth and Antonio Esfandiari, along with the recently announced High Stakes Feud between Daniel Negreanu and Doug Polk which begins next Wednesday, November 4.
However, with two players being vastly different to a full table, PokerGO had to implement several conditions for both players and production staff. All players undergo rapid testing early in the day, and when their results are negative, they are allowed to return to the PokerGO Studio to participate in that night's game. Season 8 of High Stakes Poker will see stakes of $200/$400 and $400/$800 and utilize the big blind ante format.
High Stakes Poker Executive Producer and Poker Hall of Fame member Mori Eskandani is the driving force behind many of the original programming and shows on PokerGO that includes Poker After Dark and the returning High Stakes Poker. High Stakes Poker is often regarded as the most iconic poker show of all time, and Eskandani agrees wholeheartedly.
'It is in a way because it introduced the cash form of poker, so it paved the road for all these other cash games. We're obviously lucky enough to have so many different characters when we started. It showed the kitchen table poker that people are used to but in a much higher buy-in format. It almost looked fake sometimes. I would always have people asking me, ‘is this for real?' and I would have to say ‘yeah they were playing for real money.''
High Stakes Poker has always been incredibly well-received by both diehard poker fans and people that stumble across the show for the first time. The insane amounts of money on the line and the stacks of cash filling the table draws attention from all corners.
'The main reason they like High Stakes Poker is the interaction between the players. It's the street game. You never watch High Stakes Poker and have the commentators talk about if this was the right move for some GTO, or for some solvers out there. This was the right move for the street version of somebody reading somebody, or somebody putting a move on someone, faking them out, getting paid, or making a big bluff. All the stuff that makes poker what it is, lives on High Stakes Poker.'
With seven seasons of High Stakes Poker under his belt, Eskandani has a library full of memories related to the show.
'I have many memories, and you can ask me that question now and I'll have one answer, and next week it will be a different answer. The one answer that comes to my mind right away would be the one memory of Jamie Gold and Sammy Farha playing a hand that was aces versus kings. The whole table after 30 seconds knew exactly what those two hands were per their conversation – except those two. And it went on for 14 or 15 minutes.'
'Outside of the table related to High Stakes Poker, it was when Tom Dwan left his backpack full of $1 million in cash and chips behind a dumpster at the back of Golden Nugget. He and I ran from the valet through the ballroom and into the back of the Golden Nugget and it was sitting there. It was literally sitting there. This backpack, no one had touched it, no one had picked it up. It was a million dollars in cash and chips. I'm not making this up.'
Ever since High Stakes Poker left TV back in 2011, there was always hope that it would return. The players may change, the stakes may be different, and the location may be new, but the show's nostalgia keeps everyone wanting it back.
'That's something we've been hoping to do every year. It was more like ‘when is it coming back?' and ‘why are we not doing High Stakes Poker?''
Everyone that watched the original High Stakes Poker will remember the iconic suite the cash game played out in. The spacious suite with lavish surroundings and couches for the players to relax in – it all embodied what High Stakes Poker was. The PokerGO Studio is very versatile with esports and UFC shows being filmed when it isn't being used for poker tournaments or shows. However, Eskandani and his team went above and beyond to make this new High Stakes Poker set stand out.
'We wanted it to stay close. Fidelity is important to us with what it was in the past. The same thing with Poker After Dark. When you see Poker After Dark you're going to see a bar, you're going to have someone sitting at the bar, it's going to look similar. The main idea is the same, but the look is a little different. It's still the penthouse suite.'
Use code 'HSP2020' for $10 off a PokerGO subscription now!
With the rumor of High Stakes Poker returning circulating, fans instantly began questioning the potential line-ups and whether the new season would live up to the past seasons' hype.
'I was very skeptical because a lot of our old school players either were not available, or no longer play, or in some really sad situations are not even with us. Losing people like Sammy Farha, not having Doyle [Brunson] be here because he's not feeling so well right now, obviously takes away from the old look of the show. With COVID going round, many of the people are not willing to leave their homes until they are vaccinated like Eli Elezra.'
However, at the end of the day, it's still High Stakes Poker. Incredible action, absurd pots, and a great mix of players that everyone will enjoy watching.
'I'm pleasantly surprised with what is happening. I think it's the game, just the name of the game, ‘High Stakes Poker' that brings the best of people out here. The game that we had last night was probably in the top five of any High Stakes Poker that we've done. Absolutely never a dull moment, and the conversation was exactly what you wanted.'
The early sign is that Season 8 of High Stakes Poker is not just going to meet the expectations that many have assigned to it – but it may easily eclipse some of the past seasons!
Beginning Wednesday, December 16, PokerGO will be airing a new season of High Stakes Poker every week. High stakes. Incredible line-ups. What more could you ask for?
Connect with PokerGO on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Use code 'HSP2020' for $10 off a PokerGO subscription now!
Table Of Contents
As the World Series of Poker bracelet events were winding down on GGPoker, the online poker cash game action was heating up to record levels. Six-figure pots were being won and lost on an hourly basis, as players swung millions of dollars over the course of a few weeks.
Thanks to the high-stakes railbirds at TwoPlusTwo, many of those massive pots have been recorded for fans to examine. PokerNews has compiled some of the biggest of the best that were played in September.
Aces Over Kings for $600K
Site: GGPoker
Stakes: $500/$1,000/$2,000/$200
Players: Timofey Kuznetsov, Wiktor Malinowski
Kuznetsov raised to $4,500 in the cutoff and Malinowski made it $15,000 on his left. Action folded back to Kuznetsov and he made it $49,700. Malinowski jammed for $296,960 and Kuznetsov called with a covering stack.
Kuznetsov:
Malinowski:
They agreed to run it twice. Malinowski didn't hit anything on the first board. On the second, he added an out when flopped (one ten was dead from the first runout) but wheel cards on the turn and river missed him, sending a pot of $598,620 to Kuznetsov.
Ace-High River Call for $200K
Site: GGPoker
Stakes: $500/$1,000/$2,000/$200
Players: Timofey Kuznetsov, Markus Leikkonen
Leikkonen raised to $5,000 on the button and Kuznetsov called from the big blind. On the flop, Leikkonen continued for $6,850, half the pot. Kuznetsov made it $21,934 and Leikkonen called. Kuznetsov bet small with $18,997 on the turn and they went to a river with Leikkonen having $53,868 to play.
He shoved that in when Kuznetsov checked to him, and the Russian legend didn't even need to use his time bank before clicking call with . That was a winner as Leikkonen had for a whiffed straight draw plus overcard on the flop.
Massive Value for Kuznetsov on River Check-Raise
Site: GGPoker
Stakes: $500/$1,000/$2,000/$200
Players: Timofey Kuznetsov, Wiktor Malinowski
First to act in a five-handed game, Kuznetsov raised to $4,500 and was called by Malinowski on the button and 'crazytrader' in the big blind. Action checked to Malinowski on and he bet $6,600. Only Kuznetsov continued to the . Malinowski bet bigger this time with $22,140 and Kuznetsov called to see the river. He checked a final time. Malinowski bet $48,136 and Kuznetsov shoved for $170,537 more.
Malinowski tanked and called but his proved inferior to .
Kuznetsov Wins Three-Way All-In Pot
Site: GGPoker
Stakes: $500/$1,000/$2,000/$200
Players: Timofey Kuznetsov, Wiktor Malinowski, Linus Loeliger
The good times continued for Kuznetsov in a three-way all in that began with Malinowski raising to $4,000 in the cutoff, Loeliger making it $18,000 in the big blind and Kuznetsov cold four-betting to $50,000 in the third blind. Malinowski shoved for $199,600, Loeliger shoved for $129,906 and Kuznetsov called.
Kuznetsov:
Loeliger:
Malinowski:
The flop didn't help anyone and the sweat was over on the turn when Kuznetsov hit the for an unbeatable hand. Ship $548,806 to the Russian.
Loeliger Heros Against Chidwick
Site: GGPoker
Stakes: $500/$1,000/$2,000/$200
Players: Linus Loeliger, Stephen Chidwick
Cash legends weren't the only ones playing big as nosebleed tournaments regs participated in the action. Chidwick was among them and he tangled with Loeliger in a three-bet pot, starting with the Swiss player making it $7,500 from the big blind and Chidwick reraising to $19,390 from the third blind.
Loeliger checked the flop and Chidwick continued small for $10,000. Loeliger made it $22,686 and Chidwick peeled, bringing the . Both players checked that card and the river was the . Loeliger checked and Chidwick shoved for $46,883, a little over half the pot.
Loeliger tanked and called, and his for just a single pair was good on the treacherous board, as Chidwick held that he'd opted to bluff with.
Sub-1% Runout for Loeliger
Site: GGPoker
Stakes: $500/$1,000/$2,000/$200
Players: Linus Loeliger, Markus Leikkonen
Playing four-handed, Loeliger raised to $4,000 on the button and Leikkonen made it $16,300 in the small blind. Loeliger called, bringing a flop. Leikkonen bet $12,012 and Loeliger called. The turn was the and Leikkonen bet $30,212. Loeliger called again, bringing the .
Leikkonen shoved for $59,964 and Loeliger snapped it off with the , having run out a straight flush. Leikkonen had taken an extremely nasty one with .
According to the PokerNews odds calculator, Loeliger had 0.71% equity on the flop.
Malinowski's Huge Jam Pays Off
Site: GGPoker
Stakes: $500/$1,000/$2,000/$200
Players: Wiktor Malinowski, Sam Greenwood
Action folded to the small blind, where Malinowski made it $6,800. Loeliger called in the big blind and Greenwood re-popped up to $29,200 in the third blind. Malinowski shoved covering both opponents. Loeliger folded but Greenwood called off for $222,428 more.
Greenwood:
Malinowski:
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/16194045/GettyImages_157425302.jpg "Poker")
High Stakes Poker Executive Producer and Poker Hall of Fame member Mori Eskandani is the driving force behind many of the original programming and shows on PokerGO that includes Poker After Dark and the returning High Stakes Poker. High Stakes Poker is often regarded as the most iconic poker show of all time, and Eskandani agrees wholeheartedly.
'It is in a way because it introduced the cash form of poker, so it paved the road for all these other cash games. We're obviously lucky enough to have so many different characters when we started. It showed the kitchen table poker that people are used to but in a much higher buy-in format. It almost looked fake sometimes. I would always have people asking me, ‘is this for real?' and I would have to say ‘yeah they were playing for real money.''
High Stakes Poker has always been incredibly well-received by both diehard poker fans and people that stumble across the show for the first time. The insane amounts of money on the line and the stacks of cash filling the table draws attention from all corners.
'The main reason they like High Stakes Poker is the interaction between the players. It's the street game. You never watch High Stakes Poker and have the commentators talk about if this was the right move for some GTO, or for some solvers out there. This was the right move for the street version of somebody reading somebody, or somebody putting a move on someone, faking them out, getting paid, or making a big bluff. All the stuff that makes poker what it is, lives on High Stakes Poker.'
With seven seasons of High Stakes Poker under his belt, Eskandani has a library full of memories related to the show.
'I have many memories, and you can ask me that question now and I'll have one answer, and next week it will be a different answer. The one answer that comes to my mind right away would be the one memory of Jamie Gold and Sammy Farha playing a hand that was aces versus kings. The whole table after 30 seconds knew exactly what those two hands were per their conversation – except those two. And it went on for 14 or 15 minutes.'
'Outside of the table related to High Stakes Poker, it was when Tom Dwan left his backpack full of $1 million in cash and chips behind a dumpster at the back of Golden Nugget. He and I ran from the valet through the ballroom and into the back of the Golden Nugget and it was sitting there. It was literally sitting there. This backpack, no one had touched it, no one had picked it up. It was a million dollars in cash and chips. I'm not making this up.'
Ever since High Stakes Poker left TV back in 2011, there was always hope that it would return. The players may change, the stakes may be different, and the location may be new, but the show's nostalgia keeps everyone wanting it back.
'That's something we've been hoping to do every year. It was more like ‘when is it coming back?' and ‘why are we not doing High Stakes Poker?''
Everyone that watched the original High Stakes Poker will remember the iconic suite the cash game played out in. The spacious suite with lavish surroundings and couches for the players to relax in – it all embodied what High Stakes Poker was. The PokerGO Studio is very versatile with esports and UFC shows being filmed when it isn't being used for poker tournaments or shows. However, Eskandani and his team went above and beyond to make this new High Stakes Poker set stand out.
'We wanted it to stay close. Fidelity is important to us with what it was in the past. The same thing with Poker After Dark. When you see Poker After Dark you're going to see a bar, you're going to have someone sitting at the bar, it's going to look similar. The main idea is the same, but the look is a little different. It's still the penthouse suite.'
Use code 'HSP2020' for $10 off a PokerGO subscription now!
With the rumor of High Stakes Poker returning circulating, fans instantly began questioning the potential line-ups and whether the new season would live up to the past seasons' hype.
'I was very skeptical because a lot of our old school players either were not available, or no longer play, or in some really sad situations are not even with us. Losing people like Sammy Farha, not having Doyle [Brunson] be here because he's not feeling so well right now, obviously takes away from the old look of the show. With COVID going round, many of the people are not willing to leave their homes until they are vaccinated like Eli Elezra.'
However, at the end of the day, it's still High Stakes Poker. Incredible action, absurd pots, and a great mix of players that everyone will enjoy watching.
'I'm pleasantly surprised with what is happening. I think it's the game, just the name of the game, ‘High Stakes Poker' that brings the best of people out here. The game that we had last night was probably in the top five of any High Stakes Poker that we've done. Absolutely never a dull moment, and the conversation was exactly what you wanted.'
The early sign is that Season 8 of High Stakes Poker is not just going to meet the expectations that many have assigned to it – but it may easily eclipse some of the past seasons!
Beginning Wednesday, December 16, PokerGO will be airing a new season of High Stakes Poker every week. High stakes. Incredible line-ups. What more could you ask for?
Connect with PokerGO on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Use code 'HSP2020' for $10 off a PokerGO subscription now!
Table Of Contents
As the World Series of Poker bracelet events were winding down on GGPoker, the online poker cash game action was heating up to record levels. Six-figure pots were being won and lost on an hourly basis, as players swung millions of dollars over the course of a few weeks.
Thanks to the high-stakes railbirds at TwoPlusTwo, many of those massive pots have been recorded for fans to examine. PokerNews has compiled some of the biggest of the best that were played in September.
Aces Over Kings for $600K
Site: GGPoker
Stakes: $500/$1,000/$2,000/$200
Players: Timofey Kuznetsov, Wiktor Malinowski
Kuznetsov raised to $4,500 in the cutoff and Malinowski made it $15,000 on his left. Action folded back to Kuznetsov and he made it $49,700. Malinowski jammed for $296,960 and Kuznetsov called with a covering stack.
Kuznetsov:
Malinowski:
They agreed to run it twice. Malinowski didn't hit anything on the first board. On the second, he added an out when flopped (one ten was dead from the first runout) but wheel cards on the turn and river missed him, sending a pot of $598,620 to Kuznetsov.
Ace-High River Call for $200K
Site: GGPoker
Stakes: $500/$1,000/$2,000/$200
Players: Timofey Kuznetsov, Markus Leikkonen
Leikkonen raised to $5,000 on the button and Kuznetsov called from the big blind. On the flop, Leikkonen continued for $6,850, half the pot. Kuznetsov made it $21,934 and Leikkonen called. Kuznetsov bet small with $18,997 on the turn and they went to a river with Leikkonen having $53,868 to play.
He shoved that in when Kuznetsov checked to him, and the Russian legend didn't even need to use his time bank before clicking call with . That was a winner as Leikkonen had for a whiffed straight draw plus overcard on the flop.
Massive Value for Kuznetsov on River Check-Raise
Site: GGPoker
Stakes: $500/$1,000/$2,000/$200
Players: Timofey Kuznetsov, Wiktor Malinowski
First to act in a five-handed game, Kuznetsov raised to $4,500 and was called by Malinowski on the button and 'crazytrader' in the big blind. Action checked to Malinowski on and he bet $6,600. Only Kuznetsov continued to the . Malinowski bet bigger this time with $22,140 and Kuznetsov called to see the river. He checked a final time. Malinowski bet $48,136 and Kuznetsov shoved for $170,537 more.
Malinowski tanked and called but his proved inferior to .
Kuznetsov Wins Three-Way All-In Pot
Site: GGPoker
Stakes: $500/$1,000/$2,000/$200
Players: Timofey Kuznetsov, Wiktor Malinowski, Linus Loeliger
The good times continued for Kuznetsov in a three-way all in that began with Malinowski raising to $4,000 in the cutoff, Loeliger making it $18,000 in the big blind and Kuznetsov cold four-betting to $50,000 in the third blind. Malinowski shoved for $199,600, Loeliger shoved for $129,906 and Kuznetsov called.
Kuznetsov:
Loeliger:
Malinowski:
The flop didn't help anyone and the sweat was over on the turn when Kuznetsov hit the for an unbeatable hand. Ship $548,806 to the Russian.
Loeliger Heros Against Chidwick
Site: GGPoker
Stakes: $500/$1,000/$2,000/$200
Players: Linus Loeliger, Stephen Chidwick
Cash legends weren't the only ones playing big as nosebleed tournaments regs participated in the action. Chidwick was among them and he tangled with Loeliger in a three-bet pot, starting with the Swiss player making it $7,500 from the big blind and Chidwick reraising to $19,390 from the third blind.
Loeliger checked the flop and Chidwick continued small for $10,000. Loeliger made it $22,686 and Chidwick peeled, bringing the . Both players checked that card and the river was the . Loeliger checked and Chidwick shoved for $46,883, a little over half the pot.
Loeliger tanked and called, and his for just a single pair was good on the treacherous board, as Chidwick held that he'd opted to bluff with.
Sub-1% Runout for Loeliger
Site: GGPoker
Stakes: $500/$1,000/$2,000/$200
Players: Linus Loeliger, Markus Leikkonen
Playing four-handed, Loeliger raised to $4,000 on the button and Leikkonen made it $16,300 in the small blind. Loeliger called, bringing a flop. Leikkonen bet $12,012 and Loeliger called. The turn was the and Leikkonen bet $30,212. Loeliger called again, bringing the .
Leikkonen shoved for $59,964 and Loeliger snapped it off with the , having run out a straight flush. Leikkonen had taken an extremely nasty one with .
According to the PokerNews odds calculator, Loeliger had 0.71% equity on the flop.
Malinowski's Huge Jam Pays Off
Site: GGPoker
Stakes: $500/$1,000/$2,000/$200
Players: Wiktor Malinowski, Sam Greenwood
Action folded to the small blind, where Malinowski made it $6,800. Loeliger called in the big blind and Greenwood re-popped up to $29,200 in the third blind. Malinowski shoved covering both opponents. Loeliger folded but Greenwood called off for $222,428 more.
Greenwood:
Malinowski:
Greenwood offered to run three times but Malinowski declined. A board of brought nothing for the Canadian tournament crusher, so Malinowski dragged $511,056.
Koon Heros and Holds
Site: GGPoker
Stakes: $500/$1,000/$2,000/$200
Players: Jason Koon, Michael Zhang
Two tournament pros very familiar with each others' games clashed starting with a raise to $5,000 from Zhang on the button. Koon made it $25,700 in the third blind and Zhang called. On the , Koon continued with a sizable bet of $33,050 and Zhang just shoved. Koon called off his remaining $125,896.
Koon:
Zhang:
Zhang was drawing with good equity and they agreed to run twice. Not a single spade or three emerged, so Koon's heroic call shipped him a pot of $371,992.
Malinowski Bluffs Off to Tollerene
High Stakes Poker Youtube
Site: GGPoker
Stakes: $500/$1,000/$2,000/$200
Players: Wiktor Malinowski, Ben Tollerene
Malinowski raised to $7,000 in the small blind and Tollerene made it $19,750 in the big. Malinowski called. Tollerene continued with a small bet of $9,775 on the flop and Malinowski made it $29,890 on a check-raise. Tollerene stuck around for the turn. Malinowski bet $31,184 and Tollerene called. On the river, Malinowski jammed for $147,995 effective, just a bit under the size of the pot.
Tollerene had been roping him along with for a flopped boat, and Malinowski had been bluffing with .
Addamo's Hero-Call Fails
Site: GGPoker
Stakes: $500/$1,000/$2,000/$200
Players: Michael Addamo, Fraser Russell
Russell opened for $5,000 first to act five-handed, and Addamo reraised to $22,500 in the small blind. The other blinds folded and Russell came along for the flop. Addamo slowed down with a check and Russell bet $16,170. Addamo called, bringing the turn. He check-called again, this time for $54,005. On the river, Addamo checked again and Russell shipped it for $136,285.
Addamo tanked and called, but his for flopped top pair was smashed the whole way by for a set. Russell collected the $461,921 pot.
Bonus Hand: Straight Flush Over Full House for $33K
Site: PokerStars
Stakes: $50/$100
Players: 'DEX888,' Paul 'topdoll87' Newey
DEX888 opened for $220 second to act and Newey three-bet to $669 in the next seat. DEX888 called for a flop of . Newey continued for $905 and faced a check-raise to $2,970. They called, bringing a turn. DEX888 bet $2,673 and Newey stuck around for the river.
DEX888 shoved for $10,193 effective and Newey was in there in a hurry with for a straight flush. DEX888 showed down for a turned full house.
All photos and hand histories taken from September High Stakes Thread on TwoPlusTwo.
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