WSOP 2025 Scandal: Should This Poker Player Get A Million-Dollar Bonus?

In the 903rd episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway is joined by special fill-in cohosts Team PokerStars Pro Jennifer Shahade and Josh Abady of Play Live Melbourne to discuss the latest in the poker industry, including the latest on the alleged chip-dumping incident from the 2025 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Millionaire Maker event. Winner Jesse Yaginuma did get paid the $1,000,000 bonus, but he and runner-up James Carroll are still awaiting a decision by WSOP officials on the regular prize money. Another big story was Golden Nugget cancelling their $1 million guaranteed tournament, much to the dismay of several players, including Kyna England. The hosts discuss the decision and examine the larger concept of guarantees within the poker world. You'll then get highlights from a pair of Meet-Up Games (MUGs), including the PokerNews one at Planet Hollywood and the PokerStars one at Resorts World, where the first $5,300 Main Event seat to November's NAPT was awarded. See who the lucky winner was! Next, get a sneak peek at the new show Hellmuth's Home Game presented by Poker Night in America (PNIA), a discussion on the state of poker in Australia, and a look ahead to the 2025 WSOP Main Event, which will kick off this week! A new PokerNews Podcast will drop twice a week during the 2025 WSOP every Thursday and Sunday at 8a PT / 11a ET / 4p UK time. Remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you do not miss an episode! Time Stamps *Time | Topic* 00:00 | Welcome to the show 01:05 | Cohosts Jennifer Shahade & Josh Abady 02:30 | What did you think of the alleged chip-dumping incident? 07:41 | Jesse Yaginuma paid $1,000,000 bonus 16:20 | Golden Nugget's cancelled guarantee controversy 19:30 | Are there incentives aside from guarantees? 23:00 | Highlights from the PokerNews & PokerStars Meet-Up Games 27:12 | Sponsor – WSOP Free-to-Play App 27:51 | Aaron Cummings goes back-to-back in $1,500 2-7 Lowball Triple Draw 29:15 | Travis Erdman's PokerNews hat 30:29 | Craig Savage takes down $500 NLH Freezeout for $229K 32:47 | Poker Night in America debuts Hellmuth's Home Game 35:34 | Preview of Hellmuth's Home Game 36:23 | Play Live Melbourne & the state of Australian poker 41:00 | Jennifer Shahade's women's initiatives 45:20 | A look ahead to the 2025 NAPT Las Vegas 47:25 | 2025 WSOP Main Event about to get underway!