Who is Monarch, the Poker Player Who Lost $15,000,000?

Who is Monarch, the Poker Player Who Lost $15,000,000?

Author: PokerNews Podcast August 28, 2025 Duration: 44:40

In the 914th episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway and Mike Holtz are joined by Hayley Hanna (AKA Vegas Hayls), who is fresh off finishing fourth in the 2025 Arizona State Poker Championship. The trio discusses the sudden rise of Monarch, who is Finnish poker pro Ossi Ketola. While at the Onyx Cup in Cyprus, he challenged both Norway's Kayhan Mokri and Dan "Jungleman" Cates to high-stakes heads-up matches, and when all was said and done, Monarch was down eight figures!

From there, they talk about recent tournament winners, including Brandon Mitchell taking down the 2025 Arizona State Poker Championship for $525K, Jennifer Shahade winning the Women's Summer Festival, and both Jesse Lonis and Jeremy Ausmus winning over in Europe. 

Other stories covered include the loss of Poker Hall of Famer Jack McClelland, a poker player robbed in Texas, Daniel Negreanu saying a Season 2 for Game of Gold is unlikely, and that goofball Nacho Barbero finishing another sponsorship opportunity.

Finally, remember PokerNews is giving away a seat in the World Tournament of Slots (WTOS). You could have an approximate one in 500 chance at a $1,000,000 top prize. Click here to learn more about the WToS.

A new PokerNews Podcast drops every Thursday 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
00:15 Hayley Hanna joins the show
02:12 Who is Monarch?
07:14 Seven-figure heads-up matches against Jungleman
11:25 2025 Arizona State Poker Championship
18:57 Hayley's bustout hand in 4th place
20:10 Brandon Mitchell wins title for $525K
21:45 Negreanu's AMA; no Game of Gold S2?
25:45 Nacho Barbero finds new sponsorship
27:25 Texas poker player robbed after big score
30:30 World Tournament of Slots giveaway
33:52 Hyundong Lee wins WPT Prime Taiwan Championship 
34:23 PokerStars Ambassador Jennifer Shahade wins Women's Summer Festival
35:25 Marcus Dieleman wins Onyx SHRS PLO Championship 
35:41 Daniel Rezaei wins $51K Onyx SHRS Championship 
36:00 Jesse Lonis topples Phil Ivey en route to $1,745,625 payday
38:05 Jeremy Ausmus banks €318,606 at 2025 PokerStars EPT Barcelona Festival
40:05 Remembering Jack McClelland


Every Friday, the longest-running news show in poker drops a new episode, offering a direct line into the heart of the community. With over 800 episodes in the archive, the PokerNews Podcast has become a Friday ritual for players and fans alike, blending the week's most urgent headlines with deeper stories, spirited debates, and the occasional bit of insider gossip. Host Chad Holloway, a WSOP bracelet winner himself, is joined by co-hosts like a Game of Gold star, ensuring the conversation is always grounded in real experience. They don't just report the news; they dissect it with a player's perspective. Tuning in means hearing from the most influential voices in the game, from Poker Hall of Famers to reigning World Series of Poker Main Event champions, who share stories you won't find anywhere else. This isn't just a recap; it's a weekly immersion into the strategies, scandals, and personalities that define the modern poker landscape. Whether you're grinding online or just love the drama of the felt, this podcast delivers the authentic, unfiltered sound of the game every week.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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