The History of NHUPC
The National Poker Heads-Up Championship (NHUPC) series first appeared in 2005 as a special series within the prestigious WSOP in Las Vegas. The aim of the tournament was to offer a new poker format that would highlight individual players' skills in heads-up matches. This format quickly gained popularity due to its demand for not only technical skills but also psychological resilience, strategy, and the ability to read opponents in real-time.
That year, Phil Hellmuth defeated Chris Ferguson in the final, with Ferguson becoming the runner-up again the following year, losing to Ted Forrest. In 2008, Ferguson broke the streak and claimed the championship title. Over the years, champions have included names like Huck Seed (2009), Annie Duke (2010), Erik Seidel (2011), and Mike Matusow (2013).
A Long-Awaited Return
After years of anticipation, organizers from PokerGO confirmed a partnership with PokerStars yesterday, bringing back this unique event this fall. Live broadcasts will be hosted by PokerGO, showcasing each match. PokerStars promises to distribute the event to the broader public, backed by the dependable reputation of their brand.
The return of this one-of-a-kind event will feature a tournament bracket of 64 players willing to invest a $25,000 buy-in. They will compete in head-to-head battles over six rounds to crown a champion. “National Heads-Up Poker Championship helped define the golden era of televised poker,” said Mori Eskandani, president of PokerGO. “We are proud to partner with PokerStars to bring back this iconic brand and introduce it to a new generation of fans.”
Organizers are eager to create an intriguing mix of professionals, amateurs, entrepreneurs, and celebrities for this show. The initial press release revealed 14 confirmed names, led by none other than Michael “The Grinder” Mizrachi. A Main Event champion, Hall of Fame inductee, and holder of 8 WSOP bracelets, Mizrachi is sure to draw a large audience.
The rest of the confirmed lineup is equally impressive, featuring 2025 WSOP Player of the Year Shaun Deeb, as well as Chris Moneymaker, Erik Seidel, Jason Koon, Doug Polk, Phil Galfond, and Liv Boeree. More names will be announced soon. Who would you like to see in this show?
Sources – PokerGO, CardPlayer, IMDb, YouTube
