New poker show Deepstack: AI and heart rate monitoring in high-stakes games

In 2026, the show Deepstack featuring Elton Tsang will be released, where for the first time in poker, AI and heart rate monitoring are used to convey the tension at the table.

In 2026, the poker community is anticipating the launch of a new episodic show, Deepstack, which promises to change the way we view poker broadcasts. The project is being developed with the involvement of well-known high-stakes player Elton Tsang and Deepstack’s managing director Jelle Moene. The show will feature not only a unique game format but also the introduction of innovative technologies that will literally allow viewers to see behind the poker face of the participants. Deepstack: A New Perspective on Poker Shows Deepstack is not just another series of poker broadcasts. The creators have integrated BLUVV game into the show—a variation of the popular Squid Game, adapted for the poker table. The main goal is to shake up the industry by offering viewers something more than standard broadcasts with familiar tables and players. The idea for the show belongs to Elton Tsang, who is known for his performances at the highest stakes. He is joined on the project by Jelle Moene, who is responsible for the management and technological aspects. Their ambition is not only to entertain viewers but also to make watching poker as exciting and interactive as possible. Deepstack Technologies: How It Works One of the key innovations of the show is the use of a proprietary system for measuring players’ heart rates in real time using video cameras. This technology, called remote photoplethysmography (rPPG), was developed by Deepvision’s subsidiary. The essence of the method is that the camera captures the player’s face, and special software analyzes the tiniest changes in skin color related to blood flow to determine heart rate. The resulting data is displayed on the screen next to the participant’s image. In an exclusive preview, the Deepstack team demonstrated for the first time what these overlays look like for viewers. In one example, Elton Tsang bluffs on the river of a 7♠6♥5♥10♣A♦ board, holding K♣3♣—just king-high. His opponent, Wiktor Malinowski, with K♦10♦, considers whether to call with a pair of tens. The system first locates the player’s face, then begins reading the pulse from the skin’s surface. As the tension rises and Malinowski takes his time to decide, his heart rate noticeably increases, which is visible on the screen. In the end, he folds, and viewers can see how emotional tension is reflected in the players’ physiology. rPPG: Face Detection and Emotion Tracking The rPPG (remote photoplethysmography) technology is a method of remotely measuring biometric indicators—in this case, heart rate—using a regular video camera. The software analyzes the image of the player’s face, highlighting areas most suitable for tracking changes in skin color. Once the system “captures” the face, it begins to calculate the heart rate in real time, based on microscopic changes in skin tone caused by blood flow with each heartbeat. In Deepstack, this process is implemented as an additional layer over the video broadcast. Viewers can observe not only the cards and actions of the players but also their physiological state during tense moments of the hand. According to Jelle Moene, this approach can radically change the perception of poker on screen: “We’re pulling back the curtain and showing what’s behind the poker face. This should eliminate the boredom viewers often feel when watching traditional poker shows.” Moene notes that modern technology has come a long way compared to what was used, for example, at the WSOP a few years ago: “Back then, simple rectangles were used for face detection. Now we’ve taken a big step forward.” Elton Tsang agrees: “Poker streams have become too standard. Nothing has changed in the last 15 years, viewers complain about boredom—many fast-forward or watch at increased speed. We want people to truly enjoy watching.” Production and Development of Deepstack Filming for the first season of Deepstack is already in full swing. Jelle Moene works daily with a team of editors and production staff to perfect the final product. Three film crews are involved on set, with episode editing and technological development happening in parallel. The technical team works in real time to integrate new features and test them in practice. Unlike live broadcasts, the Deepstack show will be pre-edited. This will allow for the most effective use of technological overlays and the creation of a content ecosystem around each episode: short videos, compilations of interesting moments, and additional materials. Elton Tsang emphasizes: “We’re not rushing the release of the first episode—we want to perfect the product. We have many ideas for dual-screen elements that can’t be implemented in streams. In just a few days of filming, we’ve already collected plenty of memorable hands and aggressive players.” Moene adds that the team is working with various specialists to continually improve the technology and the product: “There’s a lot of exciting stuff ahead. We want to create not just a poker show, but something more—with technological support, a cinematic approach, and a system for engaging viewers. If you gather creative people around the table, you can show much more than what’s currently seen in regular poker broadcasts.” Key Participants and the BLUVV Game Format Deepstack brings together the efforts of Elton Tsang and Jelle Moene. Elton Tsang is a well-known high-stakes player and a regular participant in major cash games and tournaments. Jelle Moene is the project’s managing director, overseeing both the creative and technological aspects of the show. The BLUVV game format holds a special place in the show—a variation on Squid Game, adapted for the poker table. While the details of the gameplay are not disclosed, it is known that elements of this game add an extra layer of intrigue and tension, which is especially relevant for a show focused on the psychology and emotions of the players. The Impact of Technology on Poker Perception The introduction of biometric technologies into poker broadcasts is a step that could change the very perception of the game. Previously, viewers could only guess at the players’ internal states, but now they receive visual confirmation of emotions through heart rate indicators. This makes watching more exciting, allows for a deeper understanding of the psychology behind decisions, and adds a new level of drama even to seemingly standard hands. According to the creators, this approach can attract a new audience and rekindle the interest of those who are tired of monotonous broadcasts. In the future, the Deepstack team plans to develop not only visualization technologies but also viewer engagement systems to make the show as interactive and interesting as possible. Player Table and Prizes The materials presented do not disclose detailed tournament results, buy-in amounts, stacks, or prize pools. However, it is known that players such as Elton Tsang and Wiktor Malinowski are participating in the show, and the format involves high stakes and aggressive play. What This Means for PPPoker Club Players For members of PPPoker clubs, the emergence of Deepstack with such technological innovations is a signal of how quickly the poker industry is evolving and what new formats may appear in the coming years. Even if rPPG technologies cannot yet be applied in home or club games, it’s worth paying attention to the growing role of emotion analysis and psychological pressure at the table. This could become an important advantage for both online and live games. Moreover, the Deepstack experience shows that the future of poker lies in the integration of technology and the creation of a unique viewing experience. PPPoker clubs can leverage this trend by developing their own formats, introducing new elements to engage players and viewers, and experimenting with content delivery and hand analysis. Finally, players should keep an eye on the development of such projects: new formats and technologies can not only change the familiar game of poker but also open up additional opportunities for learning, analysis, and improving their own play. The arrival of Deepstack is a great reason to think about how to use modern tools to increase both the effectiveness and enjoyment of playing in PPPoker clubs.