PN Podcast: PokerNews Cup, Hellmuth Wins, & Bekavac Talks Midway Poker Payout Debacle

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Hosts:
Chad Holloway @ChadAHolloway
Guests:
Dan Bekavac

In the latest edition of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway and Jesse Fullen discuss Phil Hellmuth's victory over Scott Seiver in Round 4 of High Stakes Duel III, announce the upcoming PokerNews Cup June 24-28 at Golden Nugget Las Vegas, and preview the WPT Choctaw final table, which includes Chance Kornuth.

Speaking of Kornuth, he pledged 1% of his winnings to Randy Gordon, a poker dealer battling cancer, and he is also selling Las Vegas mansion for $3.5 million, two stories also discussed in this episode. Chad and Jesse then talk about Jaret Villarreal winning a WSOP Main Event seat on ClubGG for the second year in a row, remember noted poker author and columnist Bob Ciaffone, and preview this weekend's CSOP St. Jude “Against All Odds” charity event.

Finally, Chad sits down with Midway Poker Tour co-founder Dan Bekavac, who 19 months after a controversial payout debacle made affected players whole. Bekavac, a controversial figure himself who recently captured a record fourth MSPT title, talks openly about the situation for the first time.

Click here to learn what happened at the Midway Poker Tour.

Listen to those stories and more on the latest PokerNews Podcast!

Time Stamps

TimeTopic
00:30Welcome to the show
00:45Two guys talking about poker
01:28Teasing guest Dan Bekavac – here’s the plan
06:30PokerNews Cup coming to Golden Nugget June 24-28
10:56Phil Hellmuth defeats Scott Seiver in High Stakes Duel III Round 4
15:00Sponsor: 888poker
16:13Midway Poker Tour players made whole
19:33Dan Bekavac joins the show
21:00Genesis of the Midway Poker Tour
23:20What was the payout situation?
24:40Marked-up silver
25:44Was it a scam from the get go?
27:20Operating during the pandemic
29:05Where was Bekavac when things went south?
31:00The charity – 4 KIDS Sake, Inc.
32:35Who is Jason Trezak?
34:07Have you had any contact with the charity?
35:40Were the hotels and dealers paid?
36:48We’re you going to pay back players from PokerBros proceeds?
38:06Showing up to play – what were you thinking?
48:23Not being on-site was not a good look
40:54What would you do differently?
41:44Where did the tournament fees go?
42:45Changing your social media to distance yourself from Midway Poker Tour
43:40Issuing a statement after the debacle
44:44Are you a degenerate?
45:30Dealing with the stigma
46:39Repayment timeline
47:58Repayment details
50:02Winning a 4th MSPT title
51:45Is MSPT Player of the Year on your mind?
52:25How do you want the poker world to regard you?
54:05Did the state or any authority look into the Midway Poker Tour debacle?
56:36Previewing the WPT Choctaw final table
58:43Beloved dealer Randy Gordon wins free seat before impending cancer battle
1:00:27Chance Kornuth selling Las Vegas mansion for $3.5 million
1:02:43Jaret Villarreal wins WSOP Main Event seat on ClubGG for 2nd year in a row
1:05:30Sponsor: GGPoker
1:06:10Noted poker author & columnist Bob Ciaffone passes away
1:07:05Chad & Jesse headed to St. Jude “Against All Odds”

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  • PN Podcast Midway Poker Tour's Dan Bekavac finally discusses payout debacle upon making players whole

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PR & Media Manager

PR & Media Manager for PokerNews, Podcast host & 2013 WSOP Bracelet Winner.

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