In episode 2 of High Stakes Poker Season 10 Tuesday Night, Nick Schulmancombined with AJ Benzamade his debut appearance in the broadcast booth, substituting Gabe Kaplan.
It’s never easy to replace a legend, but if anyone is up to it, it’s Schulman, who has been one of PokerGO’s most popular commentators for years. Although usually associated with it Ali Nejadanother legendary broadcaster and long-time anchor Poker After DarkSchulman quickly settled into the role and the chemistry with Benza was on point.
Kaplan, the former actor and poker pro, announced his retirement last week. Schulman wrote on Twitter that he received Kaplan’s blessing to take his seat.
It’s not High Stakes Poker for me without Gabe, but I’d like you to know that I have his blessing. The Don hims… https://t.co/SrbvGMoNKq
— Nick Schulman (@NickSchulman)
Replacing a poker legend
Gabe Kaplan
First launched on the Game Show Network in 2006, High Stakes Poker is one of the most iconic poker shows in history. Gabe and AJ, very similar Norman Chad i Lon McEachern they are with him World Series of Poker, they go together like peanut butter and jelly. But Schulman instantly proved that Nick and AJ are a pretty good team too.
Benza left Schulman on the stand and introduced his new co-host right away.
“I’m doing great, AJ,” Schulman said. “When I got the call from the Big Guy it was a bit surreal, and I can’t believe I’m sitting next to you at High Stakes, but I’m happy to be here.”
“Oh listen, we’re all Brooklyn boys. Me, you and Gabe, don’t ever bet against the Brooklyn boys, we’ll be fine,” Benza replied.
Benza, Schulman and Kaplan were born in New York City.
Gabe Kaplan retires from High Stakes Poker
The action at the table
When the action started, Emma Zajmovic won a small pot of $3,400 with a pair of fives in the $200/$400 No Limit Cash game.
There were six other players at the table… Jennifer Tilly, Eric Persson, Matt Hanks, Jean-Robert Bellande, Bobby Baldwini Chino Rheem. Hanks had the biggest stack at just over $350,000 and three players started the episode with just under $100,000.
Last week Season 10 premiere featured one of the most entertaining pots in High Stakes Poker history between Zajmovic and Hanks. This week’s highlights include a mistake by Persson in how he tried to take a call from Bellande.
On a $40,000 pot board, Persson overbet $100,000 for a hand. Bellande entered the tank with . Persson made every effort he could to convince his opponent to call, and ended up turning over the queen. Unfortunately for the loudmouth casino owner and regular high stakes player, he ended up convincing “JRB” to double his cards and only made a small profit with a monster hand.
Bellande would have a few breaks later, however, including a six-figure pot she sent with a set flop against Tilly, who missed her flush draw. But then he doubled pocket 10s on a board when Hanks bet $70,000 into an $83,000 pot with nothing but ace-high.
Season 10 of High Stakes Poker returns next week on PokerGO at 5:00 PM PT with Episode 3.
*Images courtesy of PokerGO.
