Award Winning Poker Podcast Finds New Home at WPT Global
One of poker’s most beloved podcasts is back on solid ground.
After nearly a decade under the Unibet Poker banner, The Chip Race faced an uncertain future earlier this year when its long-standing sponsorship came to an end. But the multiple award-winning show has landed on its feet, securing a new one-year partnership with WPT Global.
Lappin and O'Kearney Join the WPT Global Roster
The sponsorship ensures that The Chip Race, along with its spin-off The Lock-In, will continue to deliver regular episodes to its loyal global audience. Co-hosts Dara O’Kearney and David Lappin will also represent the brand as ambassadors, marking a new chapter for the duo as they join one of the fastest-growing names in online poker.
“We knew a couple of months ago that our time with Unibet Poker was coming to an end,” said O’Kearney. “We are very grateful to them for sticking with us for almost a decade, and also for not stringing us along when business conditions changed. That allowed us to start talking to other people.”
“They understand and support our desire to retain an independent voice."
Among the first to reach out was Cameron Soane of WPT Global, someone O’Kearney had built a relationship with through Irish poker circles.
“Once we announced we were leaving Unibet, he was the first to express a very concrete interest, and we very swiftly moved to an agreement with no tyre kicking on either side.”
While multiple offers were on the table, O’Kearney said WPT Global stood out for its international ambitions, commitment to grassroots poker, and respect for The Chip Race’s editorial independence. “They understand and support our desire to retain an independent voice while representing them, rather than pigeonholing our content to one brand,” he added.
Major Poker Site Bans Streamer for Potentially Using RTA Charts During Play
The Show Must Go On
There was no guarantee the show would survive the sponsorship transition.
"WPT Global were the perfect fit.”
“Your destiny isn’t totally in your own hands in a situation like that,” said Lappin.
“Of course, we believed in The Chip Race and thought it had lots of value to a sponsor, but finding the right sponsor was not just important, it was vital.”
A core part of the show’s appeal has always been its unfiltered tone and willingness to tackle tough topics. “We’ve cultivated trust with our audience who know that we will tackle controversial issues, even if that means occasionally ruffling feathers. For that we need a certain amount of independence and that doesn’t work for a lot of brands. In this regard, WPT Global were the perfect fit.”
More Than Just a Podcast
In addition to the podcast, O’Kearney and Lappin will serve as WPT Global ambassadors, bringing their well-known player-first ethos to the role.
“It’s obvious that David and I don’t have as big a platform as some of the ‘big beast’ ambassadors,” said O’Kearney. “But what we do guarantee is a level of interaction with our audience way above what most ambassadors do. We have always championed the interests of recreational players who are the lifeblood of the industry, and we’ll continue to offer that voice and vision to our new sponsor.”
WPT Global is Giving 30% Rakeback to All Pot-Limit Omaha Players
New Era Begins with Xuan Liu Guesting on First Ep
Fans didn’t have to wait long for the return of The Lock-In, as the first WPT Global-sponsored episode is already live.
The season premiere features Xuan Liu, fresh off her Triton Poker WPT Global Slam victory. Liu joins the pair to discuss her landmark win and share stories from her recent Canadian poker adventure.
Looking ahead, the pair plan to expand their content slate to include short-form videos, strategy reels, and bonus clips from interviews. “There will definitely be some strategy clips,” said Lappin. “We’ll put bonus material out in the form of shorts and reels. We might even experiment with some skits.”
Why WPT Global is Crushing it in a Competitive Online Poker Market
Telling Poker’s Stories
Nearly ten years in, the heart of The Chip Race remains the same, spotlighting poker’s most compelling voices, whether they are high-stakes crushers or hidden gems with stories to tell.
“The best thing about poker is the sheer variety of characters it attracts,” said O’Kearney. “We’ve always made it a point to not just go after big names, but to give a platform to unknown names that have something valuable or unique to say.”
O’Kearney recalled one compliment that stuck with him over the years. “I met Ari Engel at the Aussie Millions, and he told me his favorite part of the show wasn’t the guests he knew, but the ones he didn’t, because they always had interesting perspectives and stories.”
For Lappin, the journey has reinforced the original mission behind the podcast. “Poker players aren’t a monolith. They’re an eclectic and diverse group of people, so the only way to know them is to know all of them. Getting to know the poker community is an endless project.”
Grab A Welcome Bonus Worth Up To $3,580
Now is the time to join WPT Global if you do not already have an account. New players depositing $10 or more receive a $16.20 gift package that includes:
- $5 poker deposit match bonus
- $5 casino deposit match bonus
- $2.20 MTT ticket
- $1 Global Spins ticket
- $3 in Casino Coin
Free gifts are always welcome, but more so when they are accompanied by the chance to receive up to $3,000 in cash plus a whole host of tournament tickets as added extras. The size of your deposit affects the rewards you receive; check out the table below for more details:
| Deposit Amount | Bonus |
|---|---|
| $10-$29 | $2.20 MTT ticket plus $1 Global Spins ticket |
| $30-$99 | 2x $5 MTT tickets + 5x $1 Global Spins tickets |
| $100-$499 | 2x $5 MTT tickets + 1x $10 Global Spins ticket + 2x $5 Global Spins tickets |
| $500-$1,499 | 2x $11 MTT tickets + 1x $110 Sunday Slam ticket + $$25 Global Spins ticket +2x $5 Global Spins tickets |
| $1,500-$2,999 | 2x $22 MTT tickets + 2x $110 Sunday Slam tickets |
| $3,000+ | 2x $55 MTT tickets + 2x $110 Sunday Slam tickets + 3x $50 Global Spins tickets |
Your first deposit is matched 100% up to $3,000, with 50% released at the online poker tables at a rake of $1 cashback for every $4 contributed to the cash game rake or paid in tournament fees. The remaining half is released by playing at WPT Global's casino; you receive $0.50 back for every $200 wagered.
Casino players also receive free Casino Coin based on their first deposit; casino coin is a currency used at WPT Global Casino.
| Deposit amount | Free Casino Coin |
|---|---|
| $10-$29 | $3 |
| $30-$99 | $5 |
| $100-$499 | $10 |
| $500-$1,499 | $50 |
| $1,500-$2,999 | $80 |
| $3,000+ | $100 |
