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The World Series has also renewed its partnership with ESPN for Main Event coverage. TV coverage of the Main Event for viewers in Europe, Asia, and Latin America will also be available on Eurosport, TNT Sports, and HBO Max thanks to the WSOP partnership with Warner Bros. If you would rather not pay, the Main Event final table (Aug. 3–5) will air free on ESPN and ESPN 2, and edited highlight packages will also broadcast on both networks throughout July and August. Finally, Winamax has also partnered up with the WSOP to provide the WSOP coverage (including the Main Event) on its YouTube channels. Discovery, which will bring the Main Event coverage to the TV audience in Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
What’s the best way to get started with live poker?
Hustler Casino Live is probably the most active of the three, with a game happening almost every day of the week. Although there is an ongoing debate if all poker shows should be available for free, that’s not something we’ll get into here. All content on this site is intended for those 21 or older or of legal gambling age in their jurisdiction.
If you’re also streaming sports, then it makes sense to go for that purchase – it will just set you back around $10 a month – depending on which subscription you choose. However, we recommend you sign up directly at PokerGo to have full access to all PokerGo content. From the Twitch Channel, you can access some live exclusive programming. Original programming like poker documentaries and off-beat features are included too. Poker Central is really the world’s first 24/7 poker-only TV network. Pros like Lex Veldhuis also drop in regularly to give their insight into hands played and provide great color commentary.
The show combines professional gameplay with an underdog story as amateur players compete against pros and celebrities. Hopefully, this article will help you find your way around the rich and constantly growing poker entertainment space and truly enjoy the time you spend watching! It is safe to say that poker fans have a lot to look forward to in 2026, as we’ll have loads of great shows and quality streams running all year round! Unlike live streams, these have been fully edited, professionally produced, and split into a number of episodes, with each episode featuring the most interesting and exciting hands and moments.
His craft and dedication makes for a wildly entertaining stream that focuses on “running it up” and explaining intermediate to expert poker strategy as he plays. With a deal to host the World Series of Poker Europe, King’s is also streaming bracelet events from the floor of the casino. The Bicycle Casino was the first real-life casino to broadcast poker games online. The ESPN streams are broadcast at different time slots than PokerGo’s.
The biggest buy-in event in WSOP history is the $1,000,000 Big One for One Drop, held in 2012, 2014 and 2018. In 2026, the lowest buy-in event was $300 (The Gladiators of Poker) and the biggest buy-in event was $250,000 (Super High Roller). There was also still time for another legend to write himself into the record books. That year saw the first non-American win the Main Event as Mansour Matloubi triumphed, and 1991 saw the first prize reach $1,000,000 for the first time. The start of the 1980s was heralded by back-to-back wins for Stu Ungar and the following year, the field surpassed 100 for the first time.
The regulars
Live at the Bike generally runs twice a week with a $5/$10 NLHE game on display. You can usually get at least 40 hours of live WSOP coverage plus much more originally produced episodes. For the 2018 WSOP and beyond, the WSOP continues its partnership with ESPN and PokerGO for daily live video coverage of the Main Event.
Retired Poker Streams
The modern poker fan enjoys unprecedented access to high-quality poker on TV across multiple platforms, from free YouTube shows to premium subscription services. The show regularly features games with buy-ins exceeding $100,000, creating an environment where single pots can exceed most people’s annual salaries. The success of this model has influenced other states to consider similar approaches for expanding poker access within existing legal frameworks. Houston leads Texas with 18 private clubs, while venues like The Lodge Card Club in Austin, co-owned by poker legend Doug Polk, exemplify the high-quality establishments that have emerged under this model. Poker in Texas presents perhaps the most interesting case study in American regulation, with 68 private poker clubs operating across the state as of November 2024.
When people remember the boom-era WSOP, they tend to focus on famous players and televised hands. Black Friday didn’t help, as the affiliate model in the US just can’t survive promoting solely regulated online poker, and there isn’t money to have competing updates teams at the WSOP anymore. On the flip side, I think poker tours consolidating media in house or to official contractors has really killed the rest of poker content. Towards the tail end of my career, as Black Friday’s immediate effects had worn off and people realized the new status quo was never going to be the boom again, players became very wary of the media. What did interviewing them face-to-face reveal that the public version of those players concealed? Everyone on the team at that time really was committed to putting on the best event they could and doing so in a way that revered the brand.
- Pro poker players have embraced it as a means to connect with fellow players and fans, giving an inside look into the life of an online poker grinder.
- So, if livestreams are paramount, they can demand you delay your updates and you have to say yes.
- Daily streams are available on the WSOP YouTube channel , as well as on Twitch, Facebook, and X — no subscription required.
He uploads daily vlogs to YouTube and X throughout the series, packed with table talk, hand breakdowns, and an insider’s perspective on what it is like to play a full WSOP schedule. Daily pre-final table streams begin July 2 on the ESPN App, which requires a subscription ($29.99 per month). The 2026 WSOP coverage is already live, and it is the most accessible setup the series has had in years. So, poker fans from the United States can get daily coverage of the tournament on the ESPN App, but to access it, you’ll need to pay a monthly subscription of $29.99. There are daily free streams available on the official WSOP YouTube channel, which started with Day 1A and will continue throughout the tournament.
Particularly with so many overlapping poker festivals in Asia taking place after the conclusion of WSOP, the continued growth is a strong reflection of the confidence players have in the APT.” Regardless of the WPT’s game plan, Las Vegas will be here, and we will be playing poker either way. Most other poker rooms around town will have a regular offering of daily tournaments, and they can be convenient if you are staying nearby. How many times did you have to rebuy in all of those combined events? The GGPoker pro believes the game plays directly into the post-flop instincts he’s spent a lifetime developing. The PLO event will end on Day 2 and the NLH edition will play down to a final table on September 1.
These prestigious tours combine massive prize pools with the opportunity to compete against the world’s best players, creating the dreams that inspire millions of poker enthusiasts worldwide. The pinnacle of live poker achievement lies within the major tournament circuits that define professional poker competition. Major poker tours like the WSOP, WPT, and EPT create pathways for players of all skill levels to compete for life-changing prizes. PokerGO has both tournaments and cash games, including the PGT Championship, Super High Roller Bowl, Poker Masters, U.S. Poker Open, PokerGO Cup, High Stakes Poker, No Gamble, No Future, and more. Poker is a bit unusual on Twitch as it’s generally the only game being played for money but if the game is legal in your jurisdiction then it’s legal to stream. More pros are looking at live streams as an alternative way to make money and build their brand.
The Season 5 winner turned his hand to poker streaming and has never looked back. You can also become a premium channel member by becoming a “Chat Pro” or “Chat Pro Legend,” which displays loyalty badges next to your name in the comments and live chat. Each streamer hosts a private tournament that you can access by engaging in the chat. The Global Poker Twitch stream allows viewers to get involved in the action and take part in multiple giveaways. The PartyPoker Twitch channel has broadcast events from the MILLIONS Online, PartyPoker Championship and MILLIONS Europe with commentary from Henry Kilbane and Melissa Schubert.
Beyond the major international circuits, numerous regional tours provide accessible live poker experiences with lower buy-ins and local appeal. EPT events are distinguished by their €5,300 Main Event buy-ins and multi-million euro guarantees. The 2025 schedule features five major stops, including the iconic EPT Barcelona and EPT Monte-Carlo events that consistently attract the largest fields outside of Las Vegas. PokerGO’s new PokerU offering provides access to leading strategy content to help you improve your game. PokerGO is home to the largest library of poker content.
Unlike traditional television shows that compress hours of action into highlight reels, live streams preserve every hand, every decision, and every moment of table dynamics that make poker compelling. Live poker streams have fundamentally changed how fans consume poker content by offering unedited, real-time action that shows poker exactly as it happens. European destinations like Prague, Barcelona, and London host major tournament series while maintaining year-round cash game action that draws players from across the continent. These invite-only tournaments pair professional players with high-stakes amateurs for unique competitive dynamics that blur the lines between poker and entertainment.
The ring-awarding system creates a parallel prestige hierarchy that motivates serious tournament players throughout the year. These tours serve as stepping stones for aspiring professionals while offering recreational players high-quality tournament experiences without international travel requirements. The landscape for live poker tours is dominated by three major circuits that set the standard for tournament poker excellence.
This type of content has become popular because it provides an opportunity to follow the player on their personal journey through all the ups and downs, making it quite a bit different from everything else out there. What makes this show refreshing is that the episodes are free, the production quality is high and there is no commentary — instead table talk fuels the action and momentum of the show. Powered by BetRivers Poker and Poker Night in America the show follows Phil Hellmuth along with a whole host of famous faces as they face off at the poker tables. The downside is that there are often segments where not much happens (as is common for almost any poker game), and you don’t have the ability to skip through the boring parts.
The stakes on Poker at the Lodge aren’t always the highest you have seen, but the cast of characters playing, the beautiful set of the exclusive VIP poker room, and the amazing banter make these games worth watching for hours. However, premium platforms like PokerGO offer exclusive access to the highest-stakes games and comprehensive tournament coverage that free content cannot match. These are just a few top picks, but PokerGO contains a huge content library, including the full coverage of all WSOP Main Events, PGT Tour streams, many poker documentaries, and much, much more. Unlike other poker shows and streams listed here, poker vlogs are mostly created by individual players (usually with the help of editors) and showcase their individual efforts on and off the felt.
Elsewhere at the SHRPO series, statistical anomalies were on tap as three different players won four events in the series. However, since I play mainly high-stakes tournaments in the US, most of the players I’m familiar with are also high-stakes regulars. How are APT events different from tournaments that you play in the United States? You saw poker media evolve from blogs, written updates, and experimental podcasts into official livestreams, social video, and organization-owned content.
However, from 2017 entries in the Main Event increased year-on-year, with the 8,569 players in the 2019 WSOP Main Event the second-highest ever, just short of the record of 8,773 set in 2006. In 2008, the WSOP introduced the November Nine where the Main Event plays down to a final table of nine in July, before resuming in November. Barbara Enright became the only woman to make the Main Event final table with her fifth-place finish in 1995, until Leo Margets achieved the same feat in 2025 where she finished seventh. More famous players added their names to WSOP history, as Dan Harrington, Huck Seed and Scotty Nguyen all won Main Events. Outside of the Main Event, the WSOP schedule would also continue to grow, with 15 events scheduled in 1990. The first World Series took place in 1970 and featured no tournaments at all.
In 2015, the WSOP awarded their first online poker gold bracelet, with Anthony ‘casedismised’ Spinella winning the inaugural event. The first WSOP took place in 1970, and it continues to attract some of the best poker players in the world. A big part of our mission is to give back to the game and you, the players that make it so popular. We believe that an independent media company will help shape the future of poker by providing an authentic platform for players’ views. PokerOrg represents the independent voice and passion of poker players.
A recent addition to Team partypoker online, you’ll catch most of Gross’ action there. Gross takes his game seriously and does a great job of educating both experienced and new players alike. Tune into his Twitch stream to watch all of the latest MTT action on GGPoker. Kevin Martin (KMart) is a streamer that plays all the stakes and who’s built a massive 106K following. He’ll also switch things up and play a little BlackJack sometimes if his followers are hankering for some gambling action. Matt has dramatically upped his games and action over the past 18 months and become a powerhouse streamer in his own right.
Twitch is regarded as the platform for interaction with the streamer, with its funky chat box, stream-specific emojis, and interactive options such as polls and channel points. There was some scare in late 2022 when Twitch banned streaming of unlicensed gambling sites, but those worries were cleared up when Twitch clarified that poker streaming would still be allowed. With categories such as Music, Sports, Talk Shows or Just Chatting, you can tune in to live entertainment and support your favorite content creators with the click of a button. Twitch is an online platform allowing millions of people to come together and share their passions collectively, whether as a viewer or a content creator. Jaime Staples, also known as PokerStaples, is often regarded as one of the pioneers of Twitch Poker, first streaming the card game back in 2015 with his channel picking up momentum instantly. He’s known for his positivity and visually vibrant streams.
Whether you’re dreaming of competing in major tournaments or enjoying the social atmosphere of local cardrooms, the live poker world has never been more accessible or exciting. Poker.pro is an online poker community connecting poker players with the best online poker sites and poker apps since 2007. Stay updated with real-time action, results, and highlights, all delivered straight from the tournament floor. Poker.pro brings you live reporting from poker events across the globe. Stream instantly on your computer through the web or on your favorite devices, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, and streaming media players. We are the number one source for poker news, gambling industry updates, reviews and free educational content for players of all levels.
As your own questions to me attest, being a tournament reporter was always considered this horrible grunt work. The fact these episodes are lost to time guts me, as I would give a lot to be able to go back and listen. Getting to share some of the stories from a tournament day that weren’t the headlines but were memorable nonetheless was a very special opportunity. Out of all the work that I did in poker, getting asked to be part of Poker Road Radio was always the work I remember most fondly.
He usually plays tournaments so he’ll end his day after he busts out of the big ones on the weekend. Jaime Staples is a powerhouse streamer and player originally from Canada who regularly streams MTTs. Though he streams a bit more infrequently now, you can bet that he’s not going anywhere anytime soon. With thousands of watchers the affable and engaging Brit has turned his low to mid-stakes grinds into must-see TV for both his personality and play.
Start with stakes well below your online comfort zone to account for the adjustment period. Many successful qualifiers maintain accounts on multiple sites to access the best opportunities for their target events. Satellite tournaments require different strategies than regular tournaments, with survival often more important than chip accumulation. Building relationships within local poker communities can provide valuable networking opportunities and access to private games. These venues often feature more relaxed atmospheres and regular players willing to share knowledge with newcomers. These conversations often reveal insights about the personal lives and business decisions of poker’s most recognizable figures.
I always thought it was an advantage to be a woman in the tournament reporting space because poker tournaments are very boring and these guys are stuck in their seats and just want someone to talk to. It was simply that I knew which online screennames belonged to which real-life poker tournament participants. While the other students in her graduate program spent the summer teaching or taking classes, Welman headed to Las Vegas under the extremely convenient premise that the trip would further her research into poker players. Along the way, she helped turn live updates, podcasts, video, and streaming into something more than a scoreboard and and learned what gets lost when everybody is forced to consume poker the same way. The official WSOP YouTube channel carries free daily streams throughout the series. Daily coverage of all 99 non-Main Event bracelet pokernewsdaily.com tournaments is free across YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, and X.
Local cardrooms and smaller tournaments provide excellent training grounds for developing live poker skills without the pressure and expense of major tours. Understanding the various pathways available helps new players make informed decisions about how to begin their live poker journey. Industry news podcasts help players stay informed about regulatory changes, new site launches, and major tournament series updates. Live podcasts recorded at major events provide immediate insights and reactions to significant tournament developments. The landscape of poker entertainment has been revolutionized by live streaming technology and innovative content formats that bring the authentic poker experience directly to viewers’ screens. Beyond the United States, numerous countries have developed thriving live poker scenes that attract international players seeking different experiences and opportunities.