The PokerGO Tour US Poker Open concludes today with the final table of Event #8: $25,000 No-Limit Hold'em. Throughout the series, PokerGO has offered audiences exciting bonus coverage of each event's Day 1 play.
Daniel Negreanu and Phil Hellmuth - two of the most known names in poker and longtime frenemies - were the stars of the show. The two players bantered back and forth the entire time, trading barbs and jokes like a pair of old maids.
Hellmuth nearly skipped the event - not feeling up to it - but a timely berating from his wife convinced the all-time leader in WSOP bracelets to stick around and fire the event.
If you're interested in learning a thing or two about the art of the humble brag - look no further than this feature table and the masterclass that Hellmuth put on as Negreanu sent needle after needle his way.
Bonus coverage shines
The decision to air the Day 1 bonus coverage may be one of the best that PokerGO has ever made. The environment on a Day 1 in the PokerGO Studio is light and entertaining - a stark contrast to the final table streams that typically see players ultra-focused and not as concerned with putting on a good show. It allows audiences to see a different side of the players, a more relaxed version of their personalities at the table.
Additionally, the bonus coverage allows audiences to witness the development of storylines within the tournament. For instance, they might see that a certain player battled on a short stack for the whole day, only to catch a run of good cards and see their chip count skyrocket up the leaderboards towards the end of play, maybe even taking the chip lead into the final table. Simply put, it connects the fans with the players in a more meaningful way.
Plus, if they didn't air the bonus coverage the world would never see moments like this hand between Negreanu and Nick Petrangelo - no spoilers, but it involves a slightly buzzed Negreanu, at his most charismatic, doing what he does best: entertaining.
Watch the final table of the US Poker Open Event #8: $25,000 No-Limit Hold'em, streaming today at 7:00pm ET on PokerGO.
