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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. Poker in the Ears is a mostly uncensored take on the world of poker, with special guests, and chances for you to join the hosts on tour.

In 2022, Hartigan and Stapes have covered the hottest online and live poker events, chatted with actors, poker champions and coaches, and even won awards for it, too.

In this article, you can find details of every Poker In The Ears podcast of 2022. You’ll find the latest show at the top of the page so you can quickly stay up to date, followed by a full list of episodes. Enjoy!


LATEST POKER IN THE EARS PODCAST

It’s the last episode of the year, and there’s lots to discuss.

With #EPTPrague getting underway, the guys look ahead to the final European Poker Tour stop of 2022 and their five days of live coverage of the Main Event on the PokerStars Twitch and YouTube channels (14th â€“ 18th December).

They also speak to EPT legend Steve O’Dwyer: a former champion and Super High Roller crusher, who’s just arrived in Prague and is thrilled to learn that he no longer has to #EmbraceTheSqueak!

Meanwhile, Joe recaps his trip to Thunder Valley which resulted in a couple of deep runs and a big score on the slots, and James talks about hosting the recent Oracle Red Bull Racing x PokerStars charity poker tournament.

Finally, Kaan Becer from Vancouver is this week’s ‘Superfan vs Stapes’ contestant, answering questions about the infamous ‘Game of Thrones’ finale. #PITE returns in 2023. Please subscribe to the podcast and join the community on Discord (psta.rs/Discord).

POKER IN THE EARS ALL EPISODES 2022

EPISODE 264: DEBUT APPEARANCE OF EPT LEGEND STEVE O’DWYER

It’s the last episode of the year, and there’s lots to discuss.

With #EPTPrague getting underway, the guys look ahead to the final European Poker Tour stop of 2022 and their five days of live coverage of the Main Event on the PokerStars Twitch and YouTube channels (14th â€“ 18th December).

They also speak to EPT legend Steve O’Dwyer: a former champion and Super High Roller crusher, who’s just arrived in Prague and is thrilled to learn that he no longer has to #EmbraceTheSqueak!

Meanwhile, Joe recaps his trip to Thunder Valley which resulted in a couple of deep runs and a big score on the slots, and James talks about hosting the recent Oracle Red Bull Racing x PokerStars charity poker tournament.

Finally, Kaan Becer from Vancouver is this week’s ‘Superfan vs Stapes’ contestant, answering questions about the infamous ‘Game of Thrones’ finale. #PITE returns in 2023. Please subscribe to the podcast and join the community on Discord (psta.rs/Discord).

LINK: https://soundcloud.com/pokerintheears/264-ept-prague-preview-with-steve-odwyer

EPISODE 263: WITH SPECIAL GUEST JON ‘PEARLJAMMER’ TURNER

This week, James and Joe discuss ‘Poker Face’. Not the song by Lady Gaga. Not the upcoming TV series created by Rian Johnson. But the 2022 film, co-written by, directed by and starring Russell Crowe.

Yes, it’s a Poker Movie Monday (on a Wednesday, released on a Thursday) with special guest reviewer Jon ‘PearlJammer’ Turner, an online legend and cinema aficionado.

The guys also recap the most recent #SundayMillion, get the thoughts of the #EPT tournament staff on Joe’s “accidental angle-shoot,” and give Pennsylvania-based listener Barry Ingram the chance to win some prizes in ‘Superfan vs Stapes’. His chosen specialist subject? ‘Tommy Boy’.

Please subscribe to #PITE and join the podcast community on Discord (psta.rs/Discord).

LINK: https://soundcloud.com/pokerintheears/263-poker-face-with-jon-pearljammer-turner

EPISODE 262: POKER IN THE USA WITH DAVID KAYE

Joe is back from a live poker series in San Diego. He provides James with a field report and a few hand histories, including an accidental angle-shoot which led to a controversial ruling (let us know your thoughts: psta.rs/Discord).

The guys also talk about online poker in the USA, as they’re joined by the newest member of Team PokerStars Pro, Michigan-based streamer David Kaye.
LINK: https://soundcloud.com/pokerintheears/262-poker-in-the-usa-with-david-kaye

EPISODE 261: DANIEL ‘JUNGLEMAN’ CATES

Welcome to the Jungle!

The legendary Daniel ‘Jungleman’ Cates is the guest on this week’s podcast, discussing how he’s changed as a person since the days of the nosebleeds on Stars and Tilt, his interest in music and charity, the importance of integrity in poker, and the things he’d like to change about the game.

How would the legendary ‘Jungleman’ improve poker?

LINK: https://soundcloud.com/pokerintheears/261-daniel-jungleman-cates

“Make poker less a game of just pure logic, in the sense of like, ‘I’m a computer and I’m gonna destroy my adversary. Oh, here’s my GTO range and I’ve got to randomise and tank 20 seconds on each hand’. All this s**t appeals to no-one except people who can actually contend.”

EPISODE 260: WCOOP 2022 RECAP

A few weeks later than originally planned, James and Joe are able to draw a line under WCOOP, and provide a full recap of the 2022 World Championship of Online Poker.

Having spent three consecutive nights covering the $10k Main Event, the guys deliver a slightly shorter podcast than usual, but summarize the key stats and stories, such as just how many trophies Brazilian players won.

They also find time for a general trivia themed edition of ‘Superfan vs Stapes’, with long-time listener and live stream viewer Julian Laing competing for a Sunday Million ticket and PokerStars merch.
LINK: https://soundcloud.com/pokerintheears/260-wcoop-2022-recap

EPISODE 259: EPT LONDON RECAP WITH MAIN EVENT FINALIST DAN CHISU

Following their week of live streams from the UK capital, Joe is back in LA and James is in Malta “on PokerStars business.” They look back at EPT London 2022, summarizing the key winners and recapping the Main Event, a tournament filled with many accomplished players and interesting characters.

One of those characters was the Romanian film-maker, and producer of ‘Dog Poop Girl’, Dan Chisu. He joins the guys to reflect on his deep run in London, which resulted in a seat at the final table, as well as his career in cinema and comedy.
LINK: https://soundcloud.com/pokerintheears/259-ept-london-recap-with-main-event-finalist-dan-chisu

EPISODE 258: EPT LONDON PREVIEW WITH FORMER CHAMP ROBIN YLITALO

It’s the EPT London preview show. James and Joe looked ahead to the European Poker Tour festival at the Hilton Park Lane, summarizing their streaming schedule and providing the headline details of the accompanying Mini EPT online series.

Plus, they take a trip down memory lane, re-living moments from London Main Events of yesteryear. Robin Ylitalo, the Swedish player who lifted the trophy back in 2013 and recently won two WCOOP titles, joins the show.
LINK: https://soundcloud.com/pokerintheears/258-ept-london-preview-with-former-champ-robin-ylitalo

EPISODE 257: ANALYZING JOE STAPLETON WITH MARIA HO

In the wake of new revelations and dramatic developments, James and Joe revisit the controversy surrounding the hand between Robbi Jade Lew and Garrett Adelstein on Hustler Casino Live. They also get the thoughts of this week’s guest, Maria Ho. But her primary responsibility is to analyze Joe Stapleton. Specifically, to break down his play in a recent cash game. So, there’s some detailed strat talk, as Maria pores over a series of hand histories (NLHE and PLO).

Finally, Aaron Sinukoff from Canada competes for #PITE merch in ‘Superfan vs Stapes’, answering questions about the movie ‘Catch Me If You Can’.
LINK:
https://soundcloud.com/pokerintheears/257-analysing-joe-stapleton-with-maria-ho

EPISODE 256: SAM GRAFTON ON ROBBI JADE LEW CHEATING ALLEGATIONS AND WINNING $5.5 MILLION

Sam Grafton joins the show to explain the importance (and un-importance) of the J4 hand between Garrett Adelstein and Robbi Jade Lew and the aftermath that followed. Was this a serious case of scandal? Or simply a really bad call? Grafton also takes us through his epic week at Titons, his study and preparations, selling action, and playing heads-up against Swiss pro Linus Loeliger.

Talk gets a little deeper as the podcast meanders into the world of inequality, money, and opportunity in a capitalist society. Joe plays the role of Noam Chomsky.
LINK: https://soundcloud.com/pokerintheears/256-sam-grafton-on-robbi-jade-lew-cheating-allegations-winning-55m

Sam Grafton talks Titons and cheating allegations

EPISODE 255: DDoS ATTACK WITH CHRIS STRAGHALIS, DIRECTOR OF ONLINE POKER EXPERIENCE AT POKERSTARS

It’s not the episode that anyone was expecting. Instead, the Poker In The Ears podcast focuses in on the malicious DDoS attacks that affected PokerStars and the thousands of players who were enjoying the WCOOP Main Events. Chris Straghalis, Director of Online Poker Experience at Stars, joins the show to discuss what happened, clear up rumours, and explain how players were compensated in both regular and exceptional cases.

Then, the podcast previews what’s on offer during the WCOOP Championship Weekend and Howard Swains of PokerStars Blog brings us the latest WCOOP highlights.
LINK: https://soundcloud.com/pokerintheears/254-wcoop-2022-double-champ-benny-rungodlike-glaser-howard-swains

EPISODE 254 – WCOOP SPECIAL WITH POS CONTENDER BENNY GLASER & PS BLOG’S HOWARD SWAINS

PokerStars Blog’s own Howard Swains joins the show to give us updates on the latest stats and standout stories from WCOOP 2022, including a roundup of the four players that have been dominating the series.

Next up, Benny “RunGodLike” Glaser, a strong contender for Player of the Series, joins the podcast to talk about his WCOOP routine and poker mixed games. There’s also some (amateurish) strat talk, as James tries to get his head around a hand that Joe played in a recent live tournament.
LINKhttps://soundcloud.com/pokerintheears/254-wcoop-2022-double-champ-benny-rungodlike-glaser-howard-swains

EPISODE 253: INTERVIEW WITH EPT BARCELONA CHAMPION GIULIANO BENDINELLI & WCOOP PREVIEW

James and Joe recap a hugely successful #EPTBarcelona, re-living the highs (an incredible turnout, a series of entertaining live streams) and the lows (James getting sick, lightning striking the venue). Plus, they speak to the winner of the record-breaking EPT Main Event, Italian pro Giuliano Bendinelli.

Joe also talks about his post-Barcelona vacation with Ben and Marle Spragg, and the guys look to the 2022 World Championship of Online Poker, previewing their cards-up coverage of some of the biggest WCOOP tournaments, including the 12 new World Championship events.
LINK: https://soundcloud.com/pokerintheears/253-ept-barcelona-champion-giuliano-bendinelli-wcoop-preview

EPISODE 252: EPT BARCELONA PREVIEW WITH VETERAN HOSSEIN ENSAN

In their final summer special, James and Joe looked to the EPT Barcelona 2022, where the guys were kept busy with eight days of live streaming from the birthplace of the European Poker Tour. On this podcast, they’re joined by a Barcelona veteran, a player who won the first ever EPT Seniors Event and made the final table of the EPT100 Main Event in 2014, before going on to win EPT Prague and the WSOP Main.

Yes, Hossein Ensan makes his first ever appearance on the podcast to discuss his poker career. Elsewhere, James and Joe find time to talk about what they’ve been up to in the summer months: a combination of poker, comedy, overseas travel and mingling with YouTube stars.
LINK: https://soundcloud.com/pokerintheears/252-ept-barcelona-preview-with-hossein-ensan

EPISODE 251: THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN ARM WITH NICK PEINE

In their second summer special, James and Joe are joined by poker fan and actor Nick Peine (‘A.P. Bio’, and ‘Office Christmas Party’) to review a gambling-themed film from 1955. Yes, it’s a Poker Movie Monday on a Wednesday, released on a Thursday, featuring an in-depth review of ‘The Man with the Golden Arm’, starring Frank Sinatra, Kim Novak and Eleanor Parker.

The film is also the subject of this week’s Superfan quiz, as long-time listener Stefan-Razvan Ens tries to win not one, but three Sunday Million tickets.
LINK: https://soundcloud.com/pokerintheears/251-the-man-with-the-golden-arm-with-nick-peine

EPISODE 250: CATCHING CHEATS WITH FRANCIS LINCOLN, HEAD OF GAMING INTEGRITY AT POKERSTARS

In the first of their summer specials, James and Joe tackle the serious subject of cheating in online poker. This comes in the wake of some high-profile cases involving the use of real-time assistance software. So, how big a problem is it? What methods are players using to try to gain an unfair advantage? How does Stars stop people breaking the rules?

These questions are directed to Francis Lincoln, Head of Game Integrity at PokerStars. Think of him as the Chief of the Poker Police! Francis talks in detail about his remit, and how his team combines advanced tech and human detective work to keep the online tables safe and fair.
LINK: https://soundcloud.com/pokerintheears/250-catching-cheats-with-francis-lincoln-head-of-game-integrity-at-pokerstars

EPISODE 249: PLATINUM PASS WINNERS COLM CHAN & TOKE GERDING JENSEN

James and Joe reflect on the changes announced to the Sunday Million and the first few days of the WSOP in Las Vegas, before focusing on PSPC 2023 – now confirmed for January in the Bahamas – with a summary of what’s happened so far and details of how to qualify, and an interview with a recent Platinum Pass winner, Colm Chan from Ireland.

Plus, with highlights of the first PSPC appearing on the PokerStars YouTube channel, the guys chat to a qualifier who’s been there, seen it, done it. Toke Gerding Jensen, the former Superfan who won a Platinum Pass on Poker In The Ears, talks about playing the PSPC in January 2019 and featuring in the first couple of TV shows.
LINK: https://soundcloud.com/pokerintheears/episode-249-09062022-platinum-pass-winners-colm-chan-toke-gerding-jensen

EPISODE 248: SCOOP 2022 MAIN EVENT WINNER ‘WELCOMEINFERNO’, PLUS ‘BERIUZY’ & HOWARD SWAINS

With SCOOP over for another year, James and Joe present their SCOOP 2022 recap. They’re joined by Howard Swains from the PokerStars Blog to provide the key stats and headline stories from the series. Plus, they talk to the champion of the $10k Main Event, ‘WElcomeINnferNO’.

The Austria-based player bested a field of 654 to win the trophy and $1.1m. In addition, the guys speak to Canada-based streamer Rayan ‘Beriuzy’ Chamas, who was a fan favorite during the live coverage of the Main Event on Twitch and YouTube, and eventually placed 10th.
LINK: https://soundcloud.com/pokerintheears/episode-248-03062022-scoop-2022-me-winner-welcomeinnferno-plus-beriuzy-howard-swains

EPISODE 247: SCOOP 2022 CHAMPS ‘EASYWITHACES’ & ‘SENKEL92’, PLUS PS BLOG’S HOWARD SWAINS

An incredibly busy month for James and Joe. They’ve returned from Monaco, having streamed five days of the PokerStars EPT Monte Carlo, and at this point are half way through SCOOP 2022.

They recap EPT Monte Carlo and enlist the services of PokerStars Blog’s Howard Swains to provide a mid-series SCOOP update. Plus, there’s the chance to hear from two SCOOP 2022 winners: Fintan ‘easywithaces’ Hand and Tobias ‘Senkel92’ Leknes.
LINK: https://soundcloud.com/pokerintheears/episode-247-20052022-scoop-2022-champs-easywithaces-senkel92-howard-swains

Tobias Leknes is one of the guests on a packed episode of Poker In The Ears

EPISODE 246: EPT MONACO SCHEDULE AND INTERVIEW WITH POKER PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR MASATO YOKOSAWA

James and Joe discuss heading to Monaco for the first time in three years for the PokerStars EPT Monte-Carlo and reveal they’ll their streaming schedule for five consecutive days of live coverage.

The guys are joined by Masato Yokosawa, the Japanese poker player and vlogger who was named Favorite Poker Personality at the third Global Poker Awards. Yokosawa discusses the growing popularity of poker in his home country and reflects on playing EPT Prague last month.
LINK: https://soundcloud.com/pokerintheears/episode-246-28042022-masato-yokosawa

EPISODE 245: JAMES AND JOE RECAP UKIPT LONDON AND INTERVIEW COACH BAHMAN

James and Joe are back with an extended episode, unveiling the streaming schedule for SCOOP 2022, the new dates and venue for the second PSPC, and a couple of additional EPT stops.

They recap the UKIPT London festival, with Joe revealing what happened on and off the felt (minor spoiler alert: there’s a hot tub involved). Plus, performance expert Coach Bahman joins the guys to discuss his work helping high stakes players.
LINK: https://soundcloud.com/pokerintheears/episode-245-21042022-coach-bahman

EPISODE 244: INTERVIEW WITH WSOP MAIN EVENT CHAMP KORAY ALDEMIR

James and Joe are joined by the 2021 WSOP Main Event winner Koray Aldemir. In addition to talking about his start in poker and his epic victory in Vegas, Koray answers listeners questions and shares his expert knowledge of bears.

Elsewhere, Joe prepares for his trip to England for UKIPT London, where he’ll be playing some tournaments at The Hippodrome.
LINK: https://soundcloud.com/pokerintheears/episode-244-31032022-koray-aldemir

EPISODE 243: EPT PRAGUE WINNER GRZEGORZ GLOWNY

James and Joe have been to EPT Prague, where they streamed five days of the Main Event. They’ve also hosted live coverage of the final day of the epic Sunday Million Anniversary.

They recap both tournaments on this week’s episode, with a particular focus on the long-awaited return of the European Poker Tour. There’s an interview with Grzegorz Glowny, the online qualifier who went on to claim the Prague Main Event title.
LINK: https://soundcloud.com/pokerintheears/episode-243-24032022-ept-prague-winner-grzegorz-glowny

EPISODE 242: THINKING POKER’S ANDREW BROKOS

James and Joe were in Prague for the European Poker Tour, their first live event since EPT Prague in December 2019! They talk about some of the early results from the festival and preview their five-day live stream of the Main Event.

There’s also a deep dive into Hold’em strategy on this week’s episode, as Joe receives coaching from Andrew Brokos, one of the hosts of the Thinking Poker podcast. Andrew is set a near impossible challenge – make Stapes a better poker player in 30 minutes.
LINK: https://soundcloud.com/pokerintheears/episode-242-10032022-thinking-pokers-andrew-brokos


POKER IN THE EARS ON SOUNDCLOUD


EPISODE 241: THE CARD COUNTER WITH LAUREN MANN

James and Joe finally take an in-depth look at ‘The Card Counter’, starring Oscar Isaac, Tiffany Haddish, Tye Sheridan and Willem Dafoe. It’s a film that’s been discussed on the podcast many times. Joe served as the poker consultant during pre-production and principal photography, and, ahead of its theatrical release last year, the pair interviewed writer-director Paul Schrader.

For this episode, they’re joined by producer Lauren Mann. Plus, Super High Roller reviewer Sam Greenwood makes a brief return to the show, breaking down the film’s main Hold’em hand. And Joe’s mother gives Sight & Sound magazine a run for its money, providing top-level analysis via a series of text messages.
LINK: https://soundcloud.com/pokerintheears/episode-241-04032022-the-card-counter-with-lauren-mann

EPISODE 240: GLOBAL POKER AWARDS WITH VERONICA BRILL

In an unexpected twist, Poker In The Ears was named Best Podcast of 2021 at the third Global Poker Awards in Las Vegas. Joe was at Aria to collect the award (and promptly misplace it) and takes great delight in making this episode a victory lap for the entire production team.

The boys discuss some of the other winners at Friday’s ceremony, and are joined by Veronica Brill, recipient of the Charitable Initiative Award. She explains how she earned the accolade and talks about her life pre and post ‘Postlegate’. Meanwhile, two listeners provide a ruling on Joe’s friendship dilemma, and James takes a jump to the left as he quizzes Wayne Gartner from Australia about ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’.
LINK: https://soundcloud.com/pokerintheears/episode-240-24022022-global-poker-awards-with-veronica-brill

EPISODE 239: WITH PRESIDENT OF GLOBAL POKER AWARDS ERIC DANIS

Joe is on the road again. After scoring tickets to the Super Bowl in Los Angeles, he flew to Florida for a special NASCAR charity event, before heading to Las Vegas for the third Global Poker Awards.

On this week’s episode, the boys are joined by Eric Danis – President of the Global Poker Index – to preview the awards and run through the nominees in the key categories. Elsewhere, Judges James and Joe provide a ruling on a tournament payout-related controversy.
LINK: https://soundcloud.com/pokerintheears/episode-239-17022022-gpi-president-eric-danis

EPISODE 238: MOVIE SPECIAL WITH HIGH ROLLER SAM GREENWOOD

The boys return with a brief recap of Joe’s latest live poker adventures, and then get stuck in with their long awaited deep dive into recent films and TV shows. Canadian high stakes reg Sam Greenwood plays the role of Super High Roller reviewer as he talks about some of the stuff he’s watched in the last few months, while James and Joe break down the Netflix movies ‘The Power of the Dog’ and ‘Don’t Look Up’ and the Disney+ shows ‘Hawkeye’ and ‘The Book of Boba Fett’. Finally, Rory Herbert – who works as a script supervisor in the film and TV industry – competes for a Sunday Million Anniversary ticket in ‘Superfan vs Stapes’.
LINK: https://soundcloud.com/pokerintheears/episode-238-10022022-sam-greenwood

Sam Greenwood joins James and Joe for Episode 238

EPISODE 237: POKER PRO AND SIX-TIME JEOPARDY CHAMPION ALEX JACOB

In this episode of Poker In The Ears, James and Joe invite poker pro turned trivia maestro Alex Jacob onto the podcast to talk poker and game shows. Alex is a WSOP and WPT finalist who won the United States Poker Championship in 2006. He later appeared as a contestant on ‘Jeopardy!’, winning six times and taking down the Tournament of Champions.
LINK: https://soundcloud.com/pokerintheears/episode-237-27012022-alex-jacob

EPISODE 236: BEST PERFORMING FEMALE PLAYER OF 2021 NADYA MAGNUS

News is out that Poker In The Ears is in the running for Best Podcast at the Global Poker Awards. Joe has also been nominated for Best Broadcaster. Meanwhile, the winners of the GPI Players of the Year have been revealed.

The pair are joined on this week’s episode by the best performing female player of 2021, Nadya Magnus. Nadya was a Loose Cannon on the first season of ‘The PokerStars Big Game’. She shares her (bittersweet) memories of appearing on that show, and talks about what it takes to win POY and who she thinks might be next year’s champion.
LINK: https://soundcloud.com/pokerintheears/episode-236-20012022-nadya-magnus

EPISODE 235: WITH DOUG POLK, BRAD OWEN & ANDREW NEEME

For their first podcast of 2022, James and Joe recap poker headlines that include the winner of Dare2Stream, the amazing accomplishment of the EPT Online Main Event champion, the standout moments from the Winter Series, and the story of the trio of players who’ve bought a poker room in Texas – Yes, there are three guests on this week’s show, as Doug Polk, Brad Owen and Andrew Neeme discuss their new business venture.
LINK: https://soundcloud.com/pokerintheears/episode-235-13012022-doug-polk-brad-owen-andrew-neeme

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