Joe Stapleton on Barcelona’s Magic, WSOP Commentary, and Life Between Poker and Comedy

At PokerStars EPT Barcelona 2025, Joe Stapleton as soon as once more discovered himself on the coronary heart of the motion — not on the felt, however behind the microphone. For the longtime commentator, Barcelona has all the time felt a bit of totally different.

“The factor that’s totally different about Barcelona is the best way the gamers really feel, the vibe on the tables,” Stapleton defined. “You possibly can inform once you’re watching a Barcelona ultimate desk. Persons are extra vibrant, extra excitable right here. Regardless that it’s intense competitors, there’s this camaraderie. Everyone seems to be having such an excellent time, even after they’re taking part in for big cash. That’s fairly distinctive to Barcelona. And for me, when the gamers are having enjoyable, it makes my job simpler.”

The Day‑to‑Day of a Poker Presenter

Whereas followers see him on streams and broadcasts, Stapleton says the fact of his workdays may be each packed and surreal.

The factor that’s totally different about Barcelona is the best way the gamers really feel, the vibe on the tables “Sure, the hours are lengthy, nevertheless it’s such a enjoyable form of busy,” he mentioned. “Yesterday throughout a break I shot content material for some video — I don’t even ask what it’s for anymore. I simply say: the place do you want me? Stand right here? Okay, let’s do it. Someday it’s a podcast, subsequent it’s a participant occasion, or voice‑overs. I’ve even needed to go to a celebration as a part of the job. That was work. How loopy is that?”

His mornings usually begin with a run — “a 5k… properly, possibly 4 and a half if I’m being trustworthy,” he laughed — adopted by conferences, a number of commentary periods, and aspect tasks. However even with the relentless tempo, he’s grateful. “If the 13‑12 months‑previous me noticed this life, he would have been thrilled.”

“Hiya My Infants” Origins Story

Stapleton’s signature phrase — “Hiya my infants” — has develop into a favourite opening line amongst followers. Its origin, he defined, was nearly unintended.

“I stole it, actually,” he admitted with a smile. “A comedy author I admired used to say it in his one‑man Mark Twain present. Years later, throughout a WCCOOP radio rehearsal, I began doing an impression of it as a joke. The sound techs started mimicking me, so I doubled all the way down to mock them. Francine [Watson] advised me it needed to stick, and it did. To this present day, I’m simply glad individuals discover.”

The WSOP Sales space

This summer time introduced one other profession spotlight when Stapleton joined the World Sequence of Poker major occasion broadcast staff.

“It was an honor,” he mentioned. “One thing I by no means thought could be potential. Persons are very protecting of their manufacturers and their commentators, nevertheless it labored out this 12 months that we might associate with PokerGO.

“I truly obtained my begin masking the World Sequence again in 2005, doing sideline reporting and stay blogs. So to be again, within the sales space for the Predominant Occasion — that was particular. It was lengthy days, late nights, a whole lot of work. However so value it. To have my voice on the largest occasion in poker — yeah, I’d like to do it once more. Possibly with sooner or later off subsequent time,” he added with a smile.

Balancing Poker and Stand‑Up Comedy

Stapleton can also be recognized for his second profession: stand‑up comedy. At this 12 months’s EPT Barcelona, he even produced and hosted a comedy evening with different comics.

“Comedy is totally different as a result of the entire world is open to you, not simply poker,” he mentioned. “However commentary helped me get began. I used to be already on TV, so I had confidence that a whole lot of stand‑ups don’t have. And poker gave me a group — after I go to New York and ask for a spot, I can say: hey, should you e-book me, 20 further individuals may present up. That’s a promoting level. With out that confidence and help, possibly I’d have stop stand‑up.”

Proving Himself Solo

One second Stapleton treasures isn’t from the WSOP, however from EPT Barcelona. “A few years in the past James [Hartigan] obtained sick, and I needed to lead the printed myself for the primary time,” he recalled. “It was that insane ultimate desk the place [Giuliano] Bendinelli got here again from a chip and a chair to win. I believed: what would James do? I adopted his lead in my head. Afterwards, James texted me: ‘I feel that is a number of the most interesting work you’ve ever performed.’ That meant loads.”

Different memorable moments embrace Sebastian Malec’s unconventional 2016 Predominant Occasion win in Barcelona — when he strolled to the rail to sip a drink whereas ready on a name — and seeing the uncooked pleasure of gamers even when ending second. “Generally these runners‑up are happier than the winners,” he mentioned. “That pleasure — that’s why I do that job.”

“Magic Duo” with James Hartigan

In fact, most followers know Stapleton as one half of poker’s lengthy‑working commentary duo with Hartigan. Off‑digital camera, their friendship is simply as actual.

“We spend a whole lot of time collectively,” Stapleton mentioned. “We do TV voice‑overs, tour stops, podcasts. There are possibly three or 4 weeks a 12 months I don’t see James. We related early on over nerdy stuff like Star Wars, films, comedian books — mainstream now, however nerdy again then. That’s a part of why the chemistry works.”

“I simply want his girlfriend didn’t stay in the identical metropolis as me,” he joked. “So now I hang around with James and his girlfriend after we’re working, and after we’re not working. Possibly I deserve a tiny break.”