The countdown to the 2025 WSOP is on. 100 bracelets. All the poker players. And PokerOrg will be on the floor from start to finish.
Josh Arieh is a six-time WSOP bracelet winner. He finished third in the 2004 WSOP Main Event behind eventual winner Greg Raymer. Arieh owns PokerStake, where players can get staked or buy a stake in top players. For info, visit PokerStake and follow Josh on X.
'I've been competing and gambling since I was 13'
What are you looking forward to most this summer?
I'm flying out this week to live in Vegas permanently. I look forward to all the events because I love competing. I love being able to put every human responsibility behind me, be young again, and have no responsibility other than to play poker.
Since you got married last year, I sense a renewed spirit from you for the game and life.
She brings out the best in me; we're just really fortunate to have found each other. When all the pieces are together in my life, playing poker is much easier.
I recall a conversation I had with your good friend Shaun Deeb. He once told me you may not have the best technical game, but you always find a way to win. Where does that desire come from?
I feel like it's always been a competitive edge that I've had. I mean, everybody wants it, but who wants it more? I've been competing and gambling since I was 13 years old for money.
I understand the mental side of it and have started to understand my feelings about it. There was a long stretch that was weird. I would punt my stack off because punting didn't hurt me as much inside myself as the battle of trying to fight through the tough stretches of a tournament. It was easier and less painful just to give up. As soon as I figured that out, I learned how to fight till the end.
What a great lesson you’ve taught yourself.
I understand the psychological aspects of competition. I’m able to see when somebody's ready to go out. They're on the edge, and you just need to push them slightly.
'I still have some of that fire'
What's the difference between the Josh we saw at the 2004 Main Event final table and the player you are today?
Twenty-five years of life experience. But I look back at that kid who was probably really insecure, wasn't sure if he belonged, and wasn't sure if he was good enough.
Then I was thrown in front of the world on ESPN. The root of it all was just insecurities. But at the same time, I was fighting for my financial life. I wasn't doing well. I was literally playing for life-changing money at the Main Event. My bankroll might've been $30,000.
I still believe to this day that poker is war. You're trying to take my money. You want to reach into my pocket and take something from me. I still have some of that fire, and once in a while it comes out. It's just me.
Which player would you choose to swap 5% with?
I mean, you’ve got to go with Daniel [Negreanu]. He wants it more. He loves it more. He lives and breathes poker. He's the person I go to whenever I have a poker question. The only correct answer is Daniel.
Tell me about how people can get involved with PokerStake this summer.
At PokerStake, we're trying to bring as much money into poker's ecosystem as possible. There are so many people who want to buy pieces of various top players. We make it so some guy at home can buy a piece of Daniel Negreanu or Jeremy Ausmus.
It works because we don't charge the player or buyer a fee. There's no extra margin in the middle that makes both sides a bad bet.
We're taking all players right now, as long as you have $100K career earnings on Hendon. Go to the website and fill out an application, and I'll see it.
'It's a tough situation, but something needs to be done'
What would you like to see the WSOP change this summer?
The one thing that I've always spoken up about is how hard it is to staff good dealers. They need a little extra training for the dealers because they’re the final extension of the company.
When you sit down, that dealer is representing your company. When these dealers aren't trained correctly, it ruins the experience and takes away a lot of fun.
The World Series has to hire 1,500 to 2,000 new dealers. It's a tough situation, but something needs to be done.
Last Question. I am sure you’ve heard that Hellmuth said he won’t be playing the Main Event. What are your thoughts on that?
It's Phil. You've got to take Phil with a grain of salt. He loves the camera in his face and people talking about him. He's great for the game.
But he's right. It is a test of endurance, but what isn't? If you look at the NBA playoffs, these guys just played 82 games. Now they're playing three seven-game series.
I'm not saying poker players are athletes, but your mind, body, and everything are tested during the Main Event.
I'm 50 years old now; it's going to be tough. But I love nothing more than looking across the table, seeing my opponent falling asleep, wiping their eyes, and ordering coffee. I love it. I'm tired too, but as long as I get my sleep, I'll play 16 hours every day for 50 days straight.
Do you think he will eventually decide to play the Main?
Who knows? I haven't spent one ounce of brain thought on whether Phil is playing or not. It doesn't matter to me. No matter what he does, it's great for poker.
It's going to be a great headline if he doesn't play. And if he does play, he's going to do some f****g clown entry and make headlines in another way. Either way, it’s great for poker.
The 2025 WSOP starts on Tuesday, May 27 in Las Vegas and runs through until July 16, when the Main Event champion will be crowned.
