GGPoker Just Bought Into Hustler Casino Live

GGPoker’s parent company, NSUS Group, has acquired Nick Vertucci’s stake in Hustler Casino Live, adding another major piece to its growing poker empire.

Why it matters: Vertucci, HCL’s co-founder, stepped away after being accused of sexual harassment by a player on the show. Now, he’s out for good.

NSUS quietly took over his stake for an undisclosed sum, just months after dropping $500M to buy the WSOP brand from Caesars.

What’s next: No immediate changes, says HCL’s other co-founder Ryan Feldman. But long-term? GGPoker has plans to improve the stream including a return of Daniel Negreanu to the high-stakes cash game scene.

In The News

• Phils. Phil Hellmuth and Phil Galfond squared off in a series of freezeout heads-up matches, streaming the action on their YouTube channels. Hellmuth took the win leaning on his signature move: a near 100% limp strategy from the button. Say what you will about his style, but the Poker Brat keeps finding ways to win.

• Keating. The infamous Alan Keating just launched his YouTube channel with a breakdown of the $911K pot he played against Peter. The production is top-notch, but if you're looking for deep poker analysis… don’t hold your breath.

• 18. Maurice Hawkins won his 18th WSOPC ring, tying Ari Engel for the all-time record. He took down the $1,700 Main Event in Baltimore, pocketing $140,752.

• Negreanu. Daniel Negreanu has won the $15,200 PokerGo Tour Dealer’s Choice event for $292,500, beating legends like Nick Schulman and Yuri Dzivilievski on the way.

Triton’s Are Back With A Bang

The high-stakes tournament regulars have landed in Jeju, South Korea, and the action is as wild as ever.

If you’ve never watched Triton before, think best of the best. The production is top-tier and you’ll catch yourself wondering, how did they build that set? The commentary? Hard to top Ali Nejad and Nick Schulman. And the poker? Pure adrenaline.

A few times a year, the world’s top tournament players come together to battle at the highest stakes, with buy-ins starting at $15K. And the structures are FAST.

So is it all just a playground for the ultra-wealthy to gamble in style?

Maybe. But we’re here for it.

Here’s what’s gone down so far:

• Jeremy Ausmus keeps crushing. He shipped the $25K 8-handed NLH event for $1,892,000, pushing his total live cashes past $25 million.

• Anatoly Filatov, aka “nl_profit,” secured his biggest score ever. He won the $25K WPT Slam with nearly 400 entries taking home $1,882,000.

• Sean Winter triumphed in the $40K Mystery Bounty for $1,075,000, defeating Mikita Badziakouski heads-up. Thanks to a bounty haul, Mikita still walked away with just $25K less than Winter.

• Mario Mosboeck outmaneuvered Bryn Kenney heads-up, but thanks to an ICM chop, Kenney actually cashed for more - $1,897,430 vs. Mosboeck’s $1,836,570. Still, something tells me Mario won’t lose sleep over it.

The beauty of Triton? As soon as one high-stakes tournament ends, another is already underway. And the best part? Us mere mortals can watch it all unfold live on YouTube.