The Chip Race Enters New Era with PokerStars and Paddy Power as Co‑Sponsors

Irish poker podcast The Chip Race has introduced that its upcoming episode on March 3 will debut beneath new twin sponsorship from PokerStars and Paddy Energy Poker. The collaboration follows a interval of impartial manufacturing and coincides with new private ambassador offers for co-hosts David Lappin and Dara O’Kearney.

Launched in 2015, The Chip Race has grown into one of the crucial revered podcasts in poker. Its mix of technique, humor, and player-focused dialog has constructed a loyal following throughout the trade and naturally amongst gamers. The brand new co-sponsorship represents a milestone for the present, aligning two of the largest names in poker with two of its most trusted voices.

Whereas the twin sponsorship introduces a recent business component, the artistic management stays firmly within the palms of its hosts. Lappin mentioned each manufacturers have been clear that the present’s id wouldn’t change. “That was actually essential to us—and really courageous of them as manufacturers,” he advised pokerfuse. “We’re recognized for calling issues as we see them, and we wanted to maintain that independence. They each advised us that’s precisely what they need—for us to stay genuine voices within the trade.”

A New Chapter for an Established Model

“It can now be co-sponsored by two accomplice manufacturers,” Lappin defined. “Dara signed with Paddy Energy Poker a couple of days in the past, and I joined PokerStars earlier this week. We every play our roles via these relationships, and now the present displays that very same partnership dynamic.”

He added that the mix of personalities and sponsors might even spark some playful competitors. “We would have a little bit of enjoyable between us—seeing who can sneak probably the most model mentions into every episode!” he laughed. “However for each of us, the precedence is sustaining the identical tone and strategy that constructed our viewers within the first place.”

Independence Above All

Followers can relaxation assured that The Chip Race will proceed in its acquainted format. “In fact, we’ll give a little bit further like to PokerStars occasions or issues taking place in Paddy Energy Poker land,” Lappin mentioned. “However we’re nonetheless going to discover the entire trade as we at all times have.”

He praised each manufacturers for understanding the significance of independence. “In the event that they have been to neuter us or change that, the present would rapidly turn out to be much less impactful. They perceive that the independence is central to our enchantment,” he mentioned.

A Sturdy March 3 Episode

The March 3 episode marks the beginning of the brand new partnership and options one of many present’s strongest lineups but. “We’re coming again with a very sturdy episode,” Lappin mentioned. “Maria Konnikova is our headline visitor, Chris Litch—an absolute legend in blended video games—is becoming a member of, together with Sid Suna Gunter, who simply received the PartyPoker Sheffield Essential Occasion. We even have a technique section with the runner-up from the latest WPT Essential Occasion last desk.”

Increasing the Content material Slate

Lappin confirmed that alongside The Chip Race, the workforce will proceed producing technique movies and episodes of The Lock-In, the favored spinoff present. “We’ll make about 20 full Chip Race episodes this 12 months, together with 12 to fifteen Lock-Ins,” he mentioned. “That construction works properly for us—round 4 items of content material each 5 weeks.”

He additionally mentioned the brand new sponsorships will assist the present preserve its dedication to common, high-quality manufacturing. “There was a model of the long run the place we didn’t signal with anybody,” he mentioned. “However we wished The Chip Race to maintain shifting ahead—and to do this, it wanted sponsors we belief.”

Shared Values Throughout Manufacturers

Each hosts have new private ambassadorships that mirror the present’s partnerships—Lappin with PokerStars and O’Kearney with Paddy Energy Poker. The connections underline how the co-sponsorship naturally displays their very own careers. “For each of us, being ambassadors for manufacturers we consider in was important,” Lappin mentioned. “These are firms that respect the poker neighborhood and worth the integrity of the sport.”

The partnership additionally comes after Lappin and O’Kearney lately stepped away from WPT World after signing beneath a 12 months in the past, citing integrity issues—a choice that underscored their dedication to transparency. Now, each say they’re excited to construct a future with firms they belief.

Trying Forward

As The Chip Race enters its new period, Lappin mentioned he expects it should nonetheless really feel acquainted to longtime listeners. “It’ll nonetheless be the identical present—simply with possibly a little bit of a PokerStars lick of paint and a Paddy lick of paint,” he mentioned. “What’s nice is that each firms need us to do precisely what we’ve at all times executed: make trustworthy, entertaining poker content material.”

Listeners can count on the identical chemistry, perception, and humor which have made The Chip Race a standout within the poker media panorama. The brand new co-sponsorship formally begins with the March 3 episode—obtainable on all main podcast platforms—and alerts sturdy help for impartial poker media constructed on belief and authenticity.