Gossip Column: PokerGO’s High Stakes Duel 4 Will Have Daniel Negreanu Taking on Eric Persson; Shaun Deeb & Mike Matusow Battle in Undercard Match

High Stakes Duel is back on PokerGO for an electrifying fourth series, featuring a head-to-head clash between poker giants Daniel Negreanu and Eric Persson on May 8 and 9 inside the PokerGO Studio. Jason Koon, who won the $1.60 Million match against Phil Helmuth at the last series, isn`t returning.

Further adding to the excitement, for the first time in the history of High Stakes Duel, there will be an undercard match, with Shaun Deeb taking on Mike Matusow on May 5.

???? You heard it yesterday! It's on! ????@shaundeeb vs. @themouthmatusow@RealKidPoker vs. @IAmMaverick888

High Stakes Duel 4 is coming! Set your calendars for May 8 and 9 at 8PM ET / 5PM PT.https://t.co/5h8dx7y3xH

— PokerGO (@PokerGO) April 28, 2023

The stage is set for Round 1 of the exhilarating Negreanu vs. Persson face-off on Monday, May 8, at 8 PM. ET (5 PM PT), with both players putting in $50,000 on the line.

Following the revamped High Stakes Duel 4 rules, the player who secures two consecutive victories will be crowned champion. Whether it’s Negreanu or Persson hoisting the championship belt, fans are guaranteed heart-stopping excitement. If the two split the initial rounds, the Round 2 loser will have the option for an immediate rematch in Round 3 or face elimination.

Both players have agreed to a rematch regardless of the result of Round 1. The stakes will climb on Tuesday, May 9, at 8 PM. ET (5 PM PT) as Round 2 unfolds with a jaw-dropping $200,000 pot. These high-octane rounds will air exclusively on PokerGO.

Phil Hellmuth, the two-time High Stakes Duel championship belt winner, is absent from the High Stakes Duel 4. Hellmuth had been a mainstay in previous editions with an impressive 9-2 overall record on the show. Instead, the spotlight will be on Daniel Negreanu, who lost three matches in a row against Hellmuth on High Stakes Duel II, and Maverick Casinos owner Eric Persson. Persson is notorious for his aggressive playstyle and trash-talking antics, setting the stage for an electrifying showdown against the ever-charismatic Negreanu.

The undercard match, featuring the formidable duo Shaun Deeb and Mike Matusow, is slated for Friday, May 5. Each player will put up a $10,000 buy-in for this one-time, no-holds-barred showdown. Deeb and Matusow, who have nine WSOP bracelets between them, are known rivals, making the upcoming match even more exciting.

The duo previously made headlines for a memorable slow-roll incident at the Poker Night in America show in 2015. While the Negreanu vs. Persson match will be available only for paid PokerGO subscribers, fans can watch the undercard match for free on the PokerGO app and PokerGO’s YouTube channel.

High Stakes Duel – History

High Stakes Duel, a PokerGO original series, has captivated poker fans since its premiere on July 30, 2020. The thrilling competition has completed three exciting series, with Jason Koon emerging as the latest champion, walking away with the $1.60 million cash prize ($800K net profits) and the High Stakes Duel championship belt.

Koon became the second player after Tom Dwan to curb the 16-time WSOP bracelet-winning legend’s winning streak, distorting his unbeatable High Stakes Duel record to 9:2.

Here is the complete timeline:

High Stakes Duel 1

Round 1: Phil Hellmuth defeated Antonio Esfandiari on July 30, 2020.

Round 2: Hellmuth defeated Esfandiari again on September 24, 2020.

Round 3: Hellmuth won his third consecutive match against Esfandiari on October 21, 2020, and cashed out the $400,000 prize pool.

High Stakes Duel 2

Round 1: Phil Hellmuth defeated Daniel Negreanu on March 31, 2021.

Round 2: Hellmuth won again against Negreanu on May 5, 2021.

Round 3: Hellmuth completed a third victory over Negreanu on June 23, 2021, cashed out the $400,000 prize pool and his second High Stakes Duel championship belt.

High Stakes Duel 3

Round 1: Phil Hellmuth defeated Nick Wright on July 28, 2021.

Round 2: Tom Dwan defeated Hellmuth on August 25, 2021.

Round 3: Hellmuth defeated Dwan on January 26, 2022.

Round 4: Hellmuth defeated Scott Seiver on May 17, 2022.

Round 5: Jason Koon defeated Hellmuth on December 7, 2022, and advanced to Round 6. Hellmuth did not ask for a rematch, and Koon was declared the winner of High Stakes Duel 3 when no challenger emerged by January 6, 2023.

Don’t miss out on the high-stakes poker action as High Stakes Duel returns for its fourth series – a showdown you won’t want to miss!

Cover Image Courtesy: PokerGO.com