Chamath Palihapitiya Teases Exclusive High-Stakes Poker Tour with Strict Rules
Billionaire investor and poker enthusiast Chamath Palihapitiya is exploring the idea of launching a high-stakes poker tour with unique restrictions, including bans on facemasks and performance-enhancing drugs. The former Facebook executive and venture capitalist shared his vision on social media, sparking debate among players and industry insiders.
A New Kind of High-Stakes Poker?
Palihapitiya, a regular in private high-stakes games with Phil Hellmuth and a familiar face on poker shows like High Stakes Poker and Hustler Casino Live, isn’t just looking for another business venture—he’s passionate about the game. His proposed poker circuit would focus on elite-level competition while implementing rules that could drastically change the tournament landscape.
Among the most controversial aspects of his idea is the requirement for players to pass drug tests before competing. This includes commonly used substances like Adderall and Ritalin, which some players use for focus. While marijuana and psychedelics would also be banned, alcohol would still be permitted, according to Palihapitiya’s responses to commenters.
Additionally, the tour would enforce a strict no-facemask and no-sunglasses policy at the tables. This aligns with Hellmuth’s long-standing stance against facemasks in poker, which he believes hide valuable physical tells and detract from the essence of live play.
A Structure That Prioritizes Playability
Beyond its restrictions, Palihapitiya envisions a tournament structure with “reasonable hours and formats,” appealing to those who dislike exhausting marathon sessions but also don’t want a turbo-style shove-fest. The timing of his announcement is particularly interesting, as it comes shortly after Hellmuth declared he would be skipping the 2025 WSOP Main Event due to its demanding schedule.
While Palihapitiya didn’t disclose specific buy-ins or locations, he did confirm that the payouts would be in the millions and that events would take place within the United States. If the tour becomes reality, it would compete directly with the PokerGO Tour and the WSOP, as well as international high-stakes circuits like Triton Poker.
Pros Weigh In
Palihapitiya’s idea quickly gained traction on social media, with notable pros chiming in. Shaun Deeb expressed interest in helping connect him with the right industry figures, while Daniel Negreanu offered a logistical tip, warning that high-stakes tournaments in California would be hindered by the state’s 7% tax.
As the poker world speculates on whether this ambitious vision will come to life, one thing is certain—if Palihapitiya follows through, his tour could introduce one of the most distinctive tournament circuits the game has ever seen.
Source: https://www.pokernews.com/news/2025/02/drug-free-high-stakes-poker-tournament-47980.htm
Billionaire investor and poker enthusiast Chamath Palihapitiya is exploring the idea of launching a high-stakes poker tour with unique restrictions, including bans on facemasks and performance-enhancing drugs. The former Facebook executive and venture capitalist shared his vision on social media, sparking debate among players and industry insiders.
A New Kind of High-Stakes Poker?
Palihapitiya, a regular in private high-stakes games with Phil Hellmuth and a familiar face on poker shows like High Stakes Poker and Hustler Casino Live, isn’t just looking for another business venture—he’s passionate about the game. His proposed poker circuit would focus on elite-level competition while implementing rules that could drastically change the tournament landscape.
Among the most controversial aspects of his idea is the requirement for players to pass drug tests before competing. This includes commonly used substances like Adderall and Ritalin, which some players use for focus. While marijuana and psychedelics would also be banned, alcohol would still be permitted, according to Palihapitiya’s responses to commenters.
Additionally, the tour would enforce a strict no-facemask and no-sunglasses policy at the tables. This aligns with Hellmuth’s long-standing stance against facemasks in poker, which he believes hide valuable physical tells and detract from the essence of live play.
A Structure That Prioritizes Playability
Beyond its restrictions, Palihapitiya envisions a tournament structure with “reasonable hours and formats,” appealing to those who dislike exhausting marathon sessions but also don’t want a turbo-style shove-fest. The timing of his announcement is particularly interesting, as it comes shortly after Hellmuth declared he would be skipping the 2025 WSOP Main Event due to its demanding schedule.
While Palihapitiya didn’t disclose specific buy-ins or locations, he did confirm that the payouts would be in the millions and that events would take place within the United States. If the tour becomes reality, it would compete directly with the PokerGO Tour and the WSOP, as well as international high-stakes circuits like Triton Poker.
Pros Weigh In
Palihapitiya’s idea quickly gained traction on social media, with notable pros chiming in. Shaun Deeb expressed interest in helping connect him with the right industry figures, while Daniel Negreanu offered a logistical tip, warning that high-stakes tournaments in California would be hindered by the state’s 7% tax.
As the poker world speculates on whether this ambitious vision will come to life, one thing is certain—if Palihapitiya follows through, his tour could introduce one of the most distinctive tournament circuits the game has ever seen.
Source: https://www.pokernews.com/news/2025/02/drug-free-high-stakes-poker-tournament-47980.htm
