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PokerStars' New Podcast Co-Hosted by UK Pro James Hartigan

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Mrinal Gujare 3 hours ago

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PokerStars launched The Tough Call podcast on 27 October 2026, hosted by James Hartigan and Maria Konnikova.
The show explores decision-making and risk, with guests from poker and other professions.
Listener participation may be added in future episodes, but is not confirmed for season one.

PokerStars launched The Tough Call on October 27, 2026, hosted by James Hartigan and Maria Konnikova. The 10-episode podcast explores decision-making, risk and performance under pressure, featuring Jason Koon and guests from poker, business, journalism and other professional fields.

PokerStars launched The Tough Call, a new podcast on October 27, 2026. The 10-episode podcast explores decision-making, risk and performance under pressure, featuring poker professionals and guests from diverse industries, including Jason Koon and Liv Boeree.

The Tough Call is co-hosted by UK-based PokerStars Ambassador James Hartigan alongside Maria Konnikova, on October 27, 2026.

The series examines decision-making, risk assessment and performance under pressure, featuring guests from poker and other professional fields.

The opening episode, titled Why Smart People Make Bad Decisions, features American professional poker player Jason Koon. The discussion explores how experience, emotions and strategic thinking shape decisions, particularly when assessing risk and performing under pressure.

Koon, a PokerStars ambassador and Poker Hall of Fame member, has won two World Series of Poker bracelets and 12 Triton Poker titles. His live tournament earnings exceed $75 million, according to PokerStars.

New episodes are released every Tuesday, with the season finale scheduled for December 29, 2026. The announced guest line-up includes:

November 3: Jon Ralston
November 10: Anna Holmes
November 17: David Epstein
November 24: Bill Perkins
December 1: Elliot Roe
December 8: Mark Goffman
December 15: Samm Hunter
December 22: Ron West
December 29: Liv Boeree

The guests bring experience across journalism, writing, investing, television production, performance coaching and science communication. Episodes are available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Konnikova Discusses AI and Listener Participation

In a pre-launch interview published by PokerOrg on October 14, Konnikova explained that The Tough Call differs from her previous podcast, Risky Business, which she co-hosted with Nate Silver.

The new series places greater emphasis on guest interviews and decisions encountered in everyday life.

Konnikova also raised the possibility of inviting listeners to submit difficult personal decisions for future episodes. However, this remains a potential feature rather than a confirmed part of the first season.

She also cautioned against excessive reliance on artificial intelligence for decision-making, emphasising the importance of continuing to develop critical-thinking abilities.