Five Thoughts: Holz’ Heater, Negreanu’s Podcast, and PokerStars’ Live Event Changes

It seems that the more things change in the vast and ever expanding world of poker, the more they stay the same.

German wunderkind Fedor Holz is still winning all the money, despite suggestions he was ready to hang it all up. Daniel Negreanu is still the darling of the media, despite taking on a new role as host of his own poker podcast, and PokerStars is still setting the gold standard in live events, despite plans for some new branding released this week.

All this, and more on the state of online poker legislation in California and the size of the 15th annual World Championship of Online Poker kicking off on PokerStars next month, in this week’s Five Thoughts:

Don’t Call It A Comeback EPT Out, PokerStars Championships, Festivals In Negreanu Jumps in the Podcast Business California Online Poker Hits a Snag WCOOP Gets Bigger and Smaller

1. Don’t Call It A Comeback Fedor Holz

Kudos to Fedor Holz, who pulled the wool over the poker world’s eyes while continuing the greatest high-roller heater of all time, coming out of “retirement” to book a win in the EPT Barcelona €50,000 Super High Roller for €1.3 Million last week.

To be fair, the 23-year-old German never really retired, as reported by various media outlets. Exhausted from the full seven-week summer grind at the 2016 WSOP, Holz simply spoke about making a less than full-time commitment to next year’s WSOP and mused about the possibility of making a more substantial contribution to society than the average professional poker player does. So it wasn’t really a shock to see him turn up in Barcelona and add to the more than $12 million in tournament earnings he’s secured over the past six months while on this massive heater.

Holz has admitted he hasn’t really figured out what he wants to do with his life yet, and at 23, that’s more than OK. Obviously, if he wants to save the world, running off into early retirement and a volunteer position in the Peace Corps is an option, but it really isn’t the best one for him right now. In fact, even if making a greater contribution to society is his ultimate goal, someone with his current skill set is still better off doing exactly what he’s doing, making as much money as he can while riding out the heater, and figuring out later how he can best use some of it for the betterment of all.

It’s certainly fun watching Holz dominate on the felt. He’s a smart kid, humble, and proof that hard work and dedication pays off, even in poker. But it might be more fun watching him dominate in real life, figuring out his optimal line going forward, turning into some kind of new age Robin Hood of poker, and making a significant difference in his own life, and the lives of others, if, and when, he’s ready to do so.

“Retired” Fedor Holz Claims EPT Barcelona €50,000 Super High Roller Title for €1.3 MillionGerman Superstar Fedor Holz Is Crushing, But Says It’s His Last Full WSOPFedor Holz Wins One Drop High Roller for First Bracelet and $4.98 Million 2. …

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