In our latest interview, we spoke with the founders of the Upstakes project, which we had the privilege of trying ourselves. Jan Hlavica and Jan 'Hownorez' Nakládal reveal why Upstakes is not just a staking platform but also a tool for long-term growth. They discuss the recent changes, how the entry Challenge works, what's in store for players with a history, and why they believe variance is a reason, not an excuse.
How the Idea Became the Upstakes Project
In the community, it often seems like Hownorez is behind Upstakes. He has respect as a player and experience as a staker, actively engaging. However, the idea originated in the mind of Jan Hlavica, rooted in years of business and poker experience.
Jan Hlavica: “I was long searching for something to connect the poker world with what I did before in venture capital. There, you often invest not in a finished product but in a person – in their way of thinking, decision-making, and potential. Upstakes is about giving more players a chance to experience such trust.”
Jan 'Hownorez' Nakládal: “Many people think I'm behind it, but the truth is, Jan came up with it. I joined when it had already taken shape, and today I mainly handle the product, UX, and the player experience.”
The first test was conducted in December 2024, followed by an investment from Matěj Turek from 10x in spring. They spent months building an MVP, which was launched in September. From there, things took off.
Jan Hlavica: “The greatest challenge was aligning speed and depth. I push for speed, Honza goes into detail. Thanks to this, we managed to implement four major changes in a few weeks, not over half a year.”
Jan 'Hownorez' Nakládal: “The second challenge was explaining the new concept. People are used to arranging staking through acquaintances. We say: show your game, and the rest will follow. When players understand this, they often return.”
How Staking Entry Works Step by Step
Upstakes opens staking to anyone who shows performance, regardless of history, name, or graphs.
Jan 'Hownorez' Nakládal: “The Challenge lasts about an hour. It’s a simulation of real tournament scenarios. We aimed to replicate the decision-making process during a deep run as closely as possible.”
Jan Hlavica: “We assess your decisions based on GTO – objectively, not subjectively. If you succeed, you have a staking plan the next day. There’s nothing to arrange – your game decided. Currently, entry through the Challenge is the main path, but we’re working on a tool that will allow staking based on real hand histories – for players who already have some experience.”
Jan 'Hownorez' Nakládal: “If the Challenge doesn’t go well, you get feedback. From December, we’re launching coaching – 30-minute calls or asynchronous analysis of spots. This way, you can retake the Challenge better prepared.”
Jan Hlavica: “Entry is simple – ID verification is done after the Challenge. Buy-ins range from €10 to €300, multiplier 50×. The plan has real potential. We don’t want players to just 'try it out' – we want them to grow.”
Jan 'Hownorez' Nakládal:
“Today, you get into a staking stable through someone you know. But that system is practically inaccessible for most players. We’re doing it differently, based solely on performance. The Challenge is objective. Who you know doesn’t matter. Variance hasn’t disappeared. Many talented players have quit due to poor bankroll management. A responsibly set staking gives you stability. A good player needs a system. And that helps them stay in the game.”
You can view our detailed review of the Upstakes project here:
Future Plans
Finally, we asked both founders about their future plans, where the project could grow, and what could further expand staking among regular players.
Jan Hlavica: “Staking is just the beginning. This month we’re launching a blog, aiming to develop an active community on Discord. We’ve already started a newsletter and space for discussion. It doesn’t matter if you succeed on the first try; what matters is your drive to improve. For anyone eager to grow, there will be a fair opportunity."
Jan 'Hownorez' Nakládal: “Starting in December, we’re launching coaching – players will be able to book a call or send a specific spot from the Challenge. We want failures to turn into new opportunities, not a stop.”
The entire Upstakes project comes across as professional to us in the editorial team, and we appreciate its focus on measurable performance. If you’re looking for a more transparent way to staking, Upstakes is definitely worth a try. In closing, we add that if you decide to try Upstakes, you can support us by registering through our partner link. We wish you the best of luck in the test, and we hope Upstakes brings you closer to fulfilling your poker dreams!
