After more than 15 years as a commentator with the iconic PokerStars online and live poker juggernaut, Joe 'Stapes' Stapleton is moving to the enhanced World Series of Poker broadcast team ahead of the 2026 WSOP series in Las Vegas.
The shift to poker’s most historic stage was not unexpected, as Stapleton had announced that EPT Monte Carlo would be his final stint behind the PokerStars mic with longtime collaborator James Hartigan.
This change marks a full-circle moment for one of poker’s most unique and enduring broadcasting personas.
Watch our full, exclusive interview with Stapes above, or listen on Spotify or Apple podcasts.
Stapes' origin story
Our far-reaching interview takes a look back at the long career of one of poker media's most iconic voices.
A self-described nerd growing up, Stapleton says making people laugh became his way to dodge the high school bullies as a wide-eyed freshman transferring to a new school.
“Most people who end up choosing some sort of comedy as a career have a similar origin story,” says Stapleton. “Comedy was a way to be noticed and to fit in when I didn't think I really did.”
Stapleton moved to Los Angeles to pursue comedy and, as the poker boom exploded in the early 2000s, spent his nights off hosting low-stakes games at his LA apartment complex.
That home game eventually led to him writing humorous tournament recaps for friends. Then, ahead of the 2005 WSOP, CardPlayer Magazine noticed his work and hired him for the on-site writing staff right before the series.
That gig launched one of the most unparalleled careers in poker broadcasting, taking in shows including PokerWire, Poker Road Radio, and Two Jacks in the Hole, before eventually co-founding PokerStars' long-running hit, Poker in the Ears.
WSOP comes calling
Now, more than 20 years on, Stapes is back with the WSOP. And he'll be bringing his unique style of presentation with him.
“Poker is exciting to play, but not always exciting to watch unless you’re already into it,” he says. “I always felt like if you want people to fall in love with poker, you’ve got to entertain them first.”
That philosophy eventually helped define modern poker broadcasts and would inspire countless poker content creators in today’s poker media landscape.
After years of constant international travel, Stapleton shares how recent major life changes have pushed him toward this new chapter.
Watch the interview above now to hear just what those changes are, from the man himself.
The Interview — Joe ‘Stapes’ Stapleton
Highlights from our exclusive in-depth conversation with Joe include:
- How poker executives initially hated his attempts to make poker coverage funny
- Tales from his life as a stand-up comedian
- How he handles the social media backlash to his outspoken political opinions
- His role in the WSOP’s new daily show alongside host Jeff Platt this summer
- And much more...
Watch Joe Stapleton's full interview with PokerOrg’s Craig Tapscott in the video above, or listen now on Spotify or Apple podcasts.
Check out more in-depth interviews with some of poker’s biggest names below, including Esther ‘Etay’ Taylor, Chris Moneymaker, and Daniel Negreanu.
