Doug Polk Denied in Texas; Ethan "Rampage" Yau Exits $1,000,000 Cash Game

In the 829th episode of the PokerNews Podcast, which is sponsored by PokerStars, Chad Holloway, Mike Holtz, and Kyna England are back at Level 9 Studio in Las Vegas to talk about Doug Polk being denied a new poker room in Texas. Check out some highlights and clips from a city council meeting in which Polk went to the podium to plead his case. While some respected what he had to say, some poker players like Chris "Big Huni" Hunichen and Matt Waxman were critical of his motives. Speaking of Polk, he indicated he might be available to participate in Hustler Casino Live's (HCL) $1,000,000 Cash Game at the end of the month after Ethan "Rampage" Yau dropped out. The latter, who has been on a downswing and recently admitted to shedding tears over a $550K loss, caught some flack for pulling out after asking fans to buy pieces and was the subject of a negative video released by Alex Duvall. Find out what the crew thinks about Rampage's current predicament, including a World Series of Poker (WSOP) challenge issued by Holtz. Also, learn about Sofie Dossi contorting herself at the Celebrity Poker Tour Invitational III, which was won by Katie Thurston for $20,000, as well as hearing from PokerNews Ambassadors Keith Becker (Pennsylvania) and Kyle Anderson (Ontario). Finally, the crew remembers two-time bracelet winner & music icon Steve Albini, who unexpectedly passed away earlier this week. A new PokerNews Podcast drops every Friday at 8a PT / 11a ET / 4p UK time. Make sure to subscribe to not miss an episode! Did you know the PokerNews Podcast is no longer just audio? That's right, we've added a video show as well that you can view on the PokerNews YouTube Channel. Time Stamps *Time | Topic* 00:49 | Welcome to Episode #829 01:01 | Kyna is back! 01:09 | Doug Polk denied new poker room in Texas 02:15 | Other parties against poker expansion 02:53 | Farmer’s Branch Council votes down request 4-1 03:20 | Doug Polk talks to PokerNews before the vote 05:24 | Kyna’s thoughts on the city council meeting 06:58 | Is sports betting legal in Texas? 08:08 | Texas still the wild west; no regulations & scandals 10:10 | Disparity on how Texas poker rooms are run 11:45 | “No Card Room” sign at meeting 14:00 | Doug Polk speaks at the meeting 16:20 | What’s next for Polk’s Texas efforts 16:55 | Big Huni, Matt Waxman & other call out Polk 19:45 | Doug Polk read for the Million Dollar Cash Game? 20:00 | Ethan “Rampage” Yau backs out of HCL Million Dollar Cash Game 21:35 | Rampage on a downswing 23:48 | Rampage admits he cried after $550K loss 25:32 | Alex Duvall releases inflammatory video about Rampage 29:00 | Has Rampage lost perspective? 32:30 | Do young players in the game know/respect history of the game? 34:47 | Rampage offers WSOP prop bet 35:19 | Mike Holtz challenges Rampage to WSOP bet 36:35 | Rampage feeling the heat 39:03 | Sofie Dossi contorts herself at Celebrity Poker Tour Invitational III  44:28 | How do you feel about celebrity events? 44:53 | Do you love or hate Vegas Matt? 48:48 | Katie Thurston wins Celebrity Poker Tour Invitational III for $20,000 49:45 | Sponsor: PokerStars – 2024 SCOOP is happening now! 51:41 | Get to know PokerNews Pennsylvania Ambassador Keith Becker 52:26 | Get to know PokerNews Ontario Ambassador Kyle Anderson 53:40 | Two-time bracelet winner & music icon Steve Albini passes away