[Please note that the time of Saturday's showdown has changed since the exclusive video above was recorded; it will take place at 11am PST/1pm CST]
After the smoke settled from the rabid trash talk online, Doug Polk and Eric Persson have agreed to face off in a heads-up streamed skirmish tomorrow on ClubWPTGold at 11:00am PST on Polkâs YouTube channel.
Both players will load $20,000 in gold coins to launch the nosebleed battle at $50/$100 stakes, knowing add-ons will happen as the chips ebb and flow from stack to stack.
The chopping block for the loser consists of more than a possible six-figure loss; a Polk nosedive Saturday could result in a Dr. Evil-esque bald makeover, and a Persson loss could swap a treasured Lamborghini with a WPT mystery car for the summer.
PokerOrgâs Craig Tapscott grabbed a chat with both Polk and Persson ahead of tomorrow's game â click above to watch the conversation now!
How it started... and how it's going
The aptly named Code Doug Challenge on ClubWPTGold began 30 days ago with high hopes and affiliate dollar signs for the online heads-up assassin and 3x WSOP bracelet winner Polk.
âIâm going to win $100k playing poker and give it all away to you guys,â declared Polk. âThat might sound crazy, frankly, and it probably is.â
About eighteen days into the challenge, Polk was experiencing a downward spiral to the tune of -$48,403.
Enter Maverick Gaming founder and high-stakes reg Eric Persson, who decided to poke the bear and incessantly taunt his buddy Doug on X.
Polk responded by issuing a mano-a-mano challenge and âassumedâ that Persson had accepted the terms of a heads-up match to conclude the Code Doug Challenge this Saturday.
In reality, Persson balked at facing the heads-up specialist, having agreed to zero terms, and immediately called foul on X.
Over the following days, Perssonâs slings and arrows on X were quelled, as Polk surprised the Roman Coliseum-esque chat lurkers cheering for bloodshed as he rose from the ashes of fickle variance.
Luckily for all fans of high-stakes duels, PokerOrgâs Craig Tapscott stepped in to broker a dĂ©tente between the two fan favorites to salvage the online match for the fans, many whoâve been salivating for a blow-by-blow brawl on the virtual ClubWPTGold felt.
On the eve of the battle, Polk has enjoyed a well-timed upswing and is now in profit to the tune of around +18K, but significantly short of his $100K target. Will that all change tomorrow? Should Polk fail to make a profit for the month, two choices await: a shaven head, or a new bleached blond look.
The battle starts here
Why do you think Doug wants to lure you into an online heads-up match where heâs the odds-on favorite?
Eric Persson: I think Doug sees an opportunity to win his $100K challenge playing high stakes versus me on the last day. There is no doubt that Doug is a more experienced and skilled heads-up NLH player than I am.
I'm not sure what kind of chance I could possibly have in this world playing Doug. I really donât want to risk my children's college funds for a match with Doug.
You made fun of Dougâs plunging losses. What did you expect?
EP: That's because it's fun. It's fun to pick on Doug. Heâs a fun target. I enjoy making fun of Doug.
Was the taunting kosher with you, Doug?
Doug Polk: I'm over here minding my own business, just doing my stream. The chat tells me what Eric is posting. This guy just starts coming out of left field talking sh*t.
Eric has just been incessantly going after me. I've barely even responded. Finally, I was like, alright, let's f**king go then if you want. Now, here we are.
âââââCan we make this happen, Eric?
EP: I donât even own a mouse. But I used to play online back in the partypoker days.
But OK, I am willing to play as long as we negotiate a few terms that will be a great equalizer for me.
That is the only way Doug's big heads-up brain will come down in the same stratosphere as my little heads-up brain. Then, maybe Iâll have a chance.
Watch the full video above for the whole story, more smack talk, and to discover the outrageous and fun terms that Doug and Eric made to ensure the match would go down.
Be sure to use Code: Doug when you sign up at ClubWPTGold. You can watch the chips fly LIVE tomorrow at 11am PST/1pm CST on YouTube.
Stay up to date with Dougâs 100K Challenge at CodeDoug.com, and more info on The Lodge Poker Club, and Upswing Poker.
You can follow Eric Persson on X and Instagram. Check out Maverick Gaming locations and apparel.
