The Poker Digest WEEKLY NEWS, STRATEGY AND CLIPS · BY LEXY GAVIN-MATHER | ♠ |
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FROM LEXY ↓ Hey Poker Fam! The numbers just came in, and the 2026 WSOP was massive—251,899 total entries, nearly $470 million in payouts, and records all across the board. Women represented almost 5% of the Main Event field, up from 3.8% last year. My dear friend, Kristen Foxen became the first woman to cross $20 million in lifetime earnings. Meanwhile, the WSOP Circuit is already plotting its return to Texas with a $2 million guaranteed Main Event. Poker players continue fighting the "phantom tax" at the IRS, and we're looking the ESPN's broadcast. This week, we're also breaking down Overbetting strategy—one of the most underrated aggressive tools in your arsenal. |
This Week in PokerThe stories shaping the game right now |
 | 🔥 LEAD STORY 2026 WSOP Sets Records Across the Board: 251,899 Entries, $470M in PrizesThe numbers are in and they're massive. 251,899 total entries across 100 bracelet events—the highest ever. Prize pools totaled $469,975,059, second only to 2025. Women dominated: 431 entered the Main Event (nearly 5% of the field), and Kristen Foxen won her sixth bracelet for $1,773,083, becoming the first woman to eclipse $20 million in career earnings. (I could not have been more proud of my best friend! 🙂) The $1,000 Mystery Millions set another record with 22,811 entries. Players came from 149 countries. The WSOP collected $47.3 million in rake and fees. Source: Card Player |
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| 02 | WSOP Circuit Returns to Texas With $2M Guaranteed Main EventAustin's May Circuit debut broke records—the $1M guaranteed Main Event exploded to over $2.5M with 1,709 entries, the biggest prizepool in Texas Poker history. The Circuit is coming back September 10-21 and doubling down. The $1,700 Main Event (September 17-21) carries a $2M guarantee. Eighteen ring events across two weeks with combined guarantees over $4.1 million. You'll find Omaha, PLO, HORSE, 2-7 single draw—everything beyond hold'em. All events at Texas Card House in Austin. Source: Poker.org |
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| 03 | Poker Players Continue Fighting Phantom Tax at IRS HearingThe phantom tax debate continues. The new rule caps loss deductions at 90%, forcing players to pay taxes on 10% of gross income regardless of profit. Todd Witteles testified the IRS should separate gambling by category to prevent high-volume phantom income. He also pushed for modern record-keeping (online statements, crypto records) as valid audit proof. Sara O'Connor emphasized the rule hurts casual players too. Katie Stone explained that a grinder might win $2M, lose $1.9M, net $100K—but pay taxes on $300K. Rep. Dina Titus reinforced: taxpayers shouldn't pay taxes on income they never received. Source: Card Player |
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| 04 | King's Resort CEO: Poker Must Set Trends, Not Follow ThemFederico Brunato, CEO of King's Resort in Rozvadov, says operators' biggest mistake is chasing competitors instead of building long-term strategy. King's Resort has become one of Europe's busiest Poker venues by setting clear goals and innovating relentlessly. Brunato believes Poker operators must evolve with player expectations—not just raise guarantees but introduce new structures, formats, and schedules. He credits European Poker's faster adaptation to its freedom from the deeply rooted U.S. habits. His philosophy: set ambitious goals, think long-term, constantly improve every detail. Source: Poker News |
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| Strategy CornerThe technical decisions that separate winners |
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OverbettingOverbets have become increasingly more popular in Poker strategy. Used for both value betting and bluffing, this aggressive move creates situations where unskilled players make more mistakes. Understanding when to overbet can give you a massive edge on your opponents. Proficiency in bet sizing really is the key to becoming a great Poker player. Overbetting isn't a move that is usually considered by beginners so you won't see them often in low stakes tournaments. But if you do find yourself facing an overbet, it's important to have an understanding of how to adapt to them so that you avoid making large, costly mistakes. What Is an Overbet? An overbet is defined as a bet that is larger than the current pot size. Until recently, almost every bet was between 25%-75% of the pot. This strategy works just fine, but in today's tougher games you should always be looking for new ways to exploit your opponents. Overbets work best when your hand range connects with the board better than your opponent's. The hands you do this with should be polarized, meaning your choices will be made up of big hands and hands with no showdown value (bluffs). When choosing the hands to bluff with, you should always include hand combinations that block the strongest hands possible on the board. For example, when you hold the ace of a possible flush. Why Should You Overbet? Your opponent will make more mistakes. A big bet puts a lot of pressure on your opponent for what will be a considerable percentage of their stack, if not all of it. These situations create a powerful psychological dynamic where you stand to gain a lot. Most bets are still between 25%-75% of the pot, so a big overbet creates a situation that most opponents won't be used to. This will lead them to make more mistakes. This extra pressure will take your opponent out of their comfort zone and will naturally prevent them from making the best decision. Free Poker Training → |
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Clip of the WeekWhat you need to see this week |
 | ▶ WATCH NOW Main Event Day 2 & a WSOP World Champion is at my table... New this week · Watch on YouTube → |
I check-raise with 9♣8♣ in the big blind against a middle position opener on the flop of K♣-3♦-4♦, then make my flush when the turn brings the Q♦—and this is one you absolutely have to see! YouTube Channel → https://www.youtube.com/@LexyGavinPoker |
Upcoming TournamentsWhere the action is happening |
| Event | Venue | Dates | | DeepStack Showdown Poker Series | The Venetian/Palazzo Las Vegas, NV | Aug 03 - Aug 31, 2026 | | WSOP Circuit - Harrah's Cherokee | Harrah's Cherokee, Cherokee, NC | Aug 06 - 17, 2026 | | WSOP Super Circuit Canada | Playground, Kahnawake, QC, Canada | Aug 26 - Sep 12, 2026 | | WSOP Circuit - Texas Card House | Texas Card House, Austin, Texas | Sep 10 - Sep 21, 2026 | | WSOP Paradise | Baha Mar, Bahamas | Dec 03 - Dec 17, 2026 |
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In the Know |
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Mandalay Bay Neighbors Get Heart-Shaped Casino ResortClark County commissioners approved a bold casino project for the blighted site across from Mandalay Bay. Developer Eli Applebaum's 752-room resort will feature a heart-shaped hotel facade and a suspended restaurant hovering 250 feet in the air, anchored by reinforced concrete columns from the old SkyVue Ferris Wheel project. The development breathes life into a long-abandoned property that's been stuck in limbo since 2012. Source: Poker News Daily
Neymar Skips Soccer Match to Play in Brazilian Poker SeriesBrazilian soccer star Neymar Jr. drew criticism when he skipped a Copa Sudamericana match in Venezuela to play in the Brazilian Series of Poker (BSOP) tournament in São Paulo. While Santos FC beat Universidad Central 4-1, fans questioned Neymar's commitment. The PokerStars ambassador responded on social media: "Life is a joke. Don't take life so seriously." Neymar has logged over $116,000 in live tournament winnings and recently finished fourth in a BSOP event for $63,400. Source: Card Player
Israeli Poker Pro Gal Yifrach Detained by ICE at LAXGal Yifrach, a high-stakes Poker player facing federal charges for illegal gambling and money laundering, was taken into custody by ICE agents at Los Angeles International Airport on July 20. Yifrach, who won the 2025 PokerStars NAPT Main Event for $543,025 last year, has been indicted on charges related to operating slot machines and laundering proceeds from 2018–2022. His immigration status is now a concern as his case remains pending trial. Source: Poker News Record-Breaking WSOP: 251,899 Entries, $470M in Prizes—And Women's Poker Has Never Been Bigger
💬 QUESTION FOR YOU Have you used overbetting successfully in your games? What board textures or stack depths make you most comfortable pulling the trigger? Reply to this email—I read each one of them! |
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Talk soon ♠ Lexy Gavin-Mather
The Poker Digest The Poker Digest · by Lexy Gavin-Mather |
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