Phil Galfond, who first appeared on Episode 229, returns to the show to discuss the launch of his real-money poker site Run It Once and how it differs from the traditional online poker experience. Follow Phil on Twitter for more updates! Timestamps 0:30 Hello 3:55 Strategy 25:39 Phil Galfond … Read full post “Episode 288: Phil Galfond Runs It Once”…

Thanks to a last-minute cancellation, Nate and Andrew put together a quick all-strategy episode. What do you do when you flop the nuts but the river pairs the board? How should you transition from tournaments to online cash games? Strategy It’s a 2/5 game at the isle casino in Pompano … Read full post “Episode 287: Rough River”…

Luke Vrabel (@SlayAbides) began his career as bdbeatslayer, one of the top “female” MTT players online, eventually winning a bundle of cash and a Lamborghini in the 5th Anniversary PokerStars Sunday Million. Since Black Friday, though, he’s had a rocky transition into live poker. We discuss the arc … Read full post “Episode 286: Luke Vrabel”…

GirafGanger7 consistently cracks Pocket Fives’ list of the top ten online MTT players, and between games, he helps his girlfriend care for rescue animals from cats to chickens to goats. We talk to him about his unique life, his approach to game theory solvers, and how he stays on top … Read full post “Episode 285: GirafGanger7”…

Martin Harris, perhaps better known in the poker world as Short-Stacked Shamus, is the author of the forthcoming book Poker and Pop Culture (available for pre-order now!) as well as the Hard-Boiled Poker blog. He is a freelance writer, and an adjunct associate professor at the University of … Read full post “Episode 284: Poker and Pop Culture w ...…

Richard is a long-time poker player, dealer, floorperson, and tournament director in the Baltimore area. He started out playing Magic: The Gathering with some other poker players you’ve probably heard of. We geek out on dealer training and procedure but also get into some juicy stories about home games, robberies, … Read full post “Episode 283: ...…

Carlos Welch is over live poker. He’s currently teaching special education in Portland and grinding mid-stakes MTTs on Ignition. In addition to his recent exploits, he and Andrew discuss tells and bluff-catching. Timestamps 0:30 Hello & Welcome 42:21 Strategy Links Mediocre Poker Coaching with Carlos Tournament Poker Edge Reading Poker … Read f ...…

Ben Saxton teaches literature and writing classes at Tulane Medical School and Bard Early College. He’s also a poker writer whose interviews for Two Plus Two Magazine have a lot in common with those you’d hear on the Thinking Poker Podcast! He and Andrew talk about documenting the unique culture … Read full post “Episode 281: Ben Saxton”…

Long-time listener Tony Neuman wrote to us about a hand that he played in a home game against a brother, and we discussed it on Episode 267. Now he’s on the air to follow up with a discussion of straddling, image, wild small-stakes games, and how to deal with … Read full post “Episode 280: Tony Neuman”…

KL Cleeton returns to the show to discuss what makes poker fun and what makes it interesting. Plus, he’s got some Twitch news to announce, and he and Andrew discuss how to do focused hand history reviews when you don’t have access to a tracker/database. KL Cleeton was born with … Read full post “Episode 279: KL “HighHands89” Cleeton”…

Andrew explains fundamental game theory concepts in terms that even a beginner can understand and addresses some common myths and misunderstandings. Contribute to Andrew’s BAUDL Fundraising Campaign or learn more about it Shop with our Amazon affiliate links Get 25% Off Custom Strategy Videos Sign up for Tournament Poker Edge… Read full post “E ...…

Nate and Andrew put out an hour of pure strategy, brought to you by our friends at Tournament Poker Edge. Topics include limp-raising, thin value three-betting, donk betting, overbetting, and mixing up your play (or not). Links Contribute to Andrew’s BAUDL Fundraising Campaign or learn more about it Shop … Read full post “Episode 277: Mixing It Up”…

Andrew Therriault is an enthusiastic poker player and the former Director of Data Science for the Democratic National Committee. We discuss how data is changing political campaigns and [host] Andrew’s recent experience canvassing for Beto O’Rourke in Austin, TX. Andrew’s first appearance on the show was Episode 233. Timestamps… Read full post “ ...…

John “the Lawyer” makes a third appearance on the podcast to talk about why he’s dipping a few toes back into lawyering. We talk about Stud, the New England poker scene, why the games are getting less good, why prosecutors are the real heroes, where you can find great pop … Read full post “Episode 275: John the Once and Future Lawyer”…

This week’s guest asked us not to use his name, but he’s got quite a resume. The octogenarian has served as an executive and a Board member for several major US corporations, and now that he’s finally retired, he’s a regular in the Foxwood Stud games. Join us for a … Read full post “Episode 274: John Doe, Retired CEO”…

Paul Runge and his wife LeAnn own and operate the Bend Poker Club. We talk to him about the politics and particulars of Oregon’s social gaming regulations and the business of running a poker club. Timestamps 0:30 hello & welcome 4:46 strategy 23:15 Paul Runge Strategy I am writing about … Read full post “Episode 273: Paul Runge”…

Bill Chen (@BillChenPoker) is a quantitative researcher at the Susquehanna International Group and the co-author, with Jarred Ankenman, of The Mathematics of Poker. We talk to him about the connections between poker and trading, and Nate dares to make a math prop bet against him. Timestamps 0:30 … Read full post “Episode 272: Bill Chen”…

Danny Sprung, whom you may recall from Episode 194, joins us from the World Bridge Federation Championships. We compare this event to the World Series of Poker and discuss some key hands from Danny’s very deep run in the Monster Stack this summer. Timestamps 0:30 hello 3:07 danny sprung … Read full post “Episode 271: Danny Sprung From the WBF C ...…

Derek “Killingbird” Tenbusch is a co-founder and -owner of Tournament Poker Edge. He’s also a poker streamer and a beagle rescuer. We discuss all three, plus house hunting in Las Vegas and leaving Las Vegas. Derek’s first appearance on the show was Episode 16. Follow him on … Read full post “Episode 270: Killingbird”…

Why is the sports book always next to the poker room? Is the Supreme Court a political actor? Should check and raise be permitted? Our wide-ranging conversation with the always-interesting Matt Glassman covers these topics and many more. Matt Glassman is a poker and bridge enthusiast and a senior fellow … Read full post “Episode 269: Check and ...…

Andrew and Nate share some book and podcast recommendations and, inspired by Dara O’Kearney, discuss the value of taking days off. In the strategy segment, Andrew takes an unconventional line vs Phil Galfond in a Progressive Knock-Out. Timestamps 0:30 hello 24:19 strategy Links Bundyville Stone Mattress Underworld Strategy http://www.boomplayer ...…

Should dealers announce bet sizes if no one asks? Nate and Andrew discuss the arguments for and against this procedure. Plus, they discuss a strategy hand from the perspective of both active players, who happen to be brothers! Timestamps 0:30 Hello & Welcome 4:25 Strategy Strategy $0.50/$1 NLHE, $400 effective … Read full post “Episode 267: A T ...…

Andy Bloch is a long-time professional poker player and computer programmer who was one of the pioneers at the intersection of these fields. He was also a member of the MIT Blackjack team that was the subject of Bringing Down the House and Twenty-One and an owner of Full Tilt … Read full post “Episode 266: Andy Bloch”…

Ashley Adams is the host of the House of Cards podcast/radio show (Andrew was a guest in 2010!) and the author of Winning No-Limit Hold ‘Em and Winning Seven Card Stud. We talk to him about his (now complete) quest to play poker in all fifty US … Read full post “Episode 265: Ashley Adams”By podcast@thinkingpoker.net (Andrew Brokos and Nate Meyvis).

Nate, in a special solo episode, dissects Phil Ivey’s bustout hand from the 2018 WSOP Main Event.… Read full post “Episode 264: Ivey Bluffs It Off”By podcast@thinkingpoker.net (Andrew Brokos and Nate Meyvis).

Comedian and professional poker player Clayton Fletcher earned himself a fourth podcast appearance with his 28th place finish in the 2018 WSOP Main Event! I think they gave him some cash for that as well. He and Andrew meet in his hotel room shortly after his elimination to discuss some … Read full post “Episode 263: Clayton Fletcher Runs Deeper”…

Barney Boatman was a professional poker player in London before the poker boom. As a member of the Hendon Mob, he played in “spielers” and in tournaments across Europe. Andrew talks to him about England’s pre-boom poker scene, living in Madrid, and his contribution to the new poker-themed short fiction … Read full post “Episode 262: Barney Boat ...…

Nate and Andrew discuss key hands from Andrew’s 13th place finish in the $2500 no-limit hold ’em WSOP event. Timestamps 0:30 hello 10:56 strat Strategy Hand 1 On the bubble, CO (16K) opens to 5k. Hero calls T9dd in the BB. Flop (13K) AQJd. Hero checks, Villain bets 5k, Hero … Read full post “Episode 261: Andrew Runs Deep”…

Nate got barely 72 hours in Las Vegas this summer, but he was kind enough to spend a few of them recording with Andrew and Carlos in his Gold Coast hotel room. The three talk about their summer plans, the dealer’s choice event, and all of the delightful weirdos in … Read full post “Episode 260: WSOP Live 2018”…

Christian Holden is a professional musician and poker player who lives in an anarchist collective in Worcester, Massachusetts. In this in-person interview, he and Andrew discuss his music, his poker, his politics, and the staking deal he almost had with Martin Shkreli. Plus they talk about game theory and deep-stacked … Read full post “Episode ...…

Zach Elwood is the author of Reading Poker Tells, Verbal Poker Tells, and Exploiting Poker Tells. Our first interview with him was on Episode 14. He’s quoted in this New York Times article (Edit: and this Washington Post article) about fake Facebook accounts. You can read his … Read full post “Episode 258: Fake News with Zach Elwood”…

Thinking poker legend Gareth Chantler recently published a major exposé of flaws in Canada’s refugee approval process. He discusses the piece, which was the product of years of research, as well as his work more generally with the Syrian community in Turkey. Gareth is also raising money to bring … Read full post “Episode 257: Gareth Chantler on ...…

Sameer Singh grew up playing chess and teen patti, and he quickly became one of the sharpest rounders at the National Law School of India. This wide-ranging conversation covers everything from cuisine and literature to the Irish Open to overlimping the button off of a 12bb stack. Timestamps 0:30 – … Read full post “Episode 256: Sameer Singh”…

Nate and Andrew talk strategy for BB Ante tournaments, play a round of “Underrated or Overrated”, and discuss two hands where players flop sets and end up facing tough decisions later. Timestamps 0:30 – hello 8:08 – strategy Strategy Hand 1 Effective stack: 22K Blinds: 300/600, 100 ante I was … Read full post “Episode 255: Bet That Set!”…

Berk Brown has spent decades in the world of poker and seen it from the perspective of a floorperson, a dealer, and a professional player. He’s full of great anecdotes and insights about staking, longevity (of games, rooms, and professional careers), game integrity, and more. You can follow Berk on … Read full post “Episode 254: Berk Brown”…

Bryan is a long-time professional poker player who, like many, has expanded into daily fantasy sports and cryptocurrencies, but unlike many, has also expanded into river guiding. He works for AVA Colorado Rafting, and he recommends Dam Nation, Cadillac Desert, and Down the Colorado. Follow him on Twitter @devopoker… Read full post “Episode 253: ...…

Josh Nixon was a student in the Boston Debate League when Andrew was the director. In the years since then, he’s been a serious Magic: The Gathering player is now taking an interest in poker. In this interview, he talks about the difficulty of being a smart kid in a … Read full post “Episode 252: Josh Nixon”…

Helen Ellis is a proud housewise and poker player and the author of the novels Eating the Cheshire Cat and The Turning Book, the short fiction collection American Housewife, and the What I Do All Day Twitter account. Her poker playing was featured in this New York Times … Read full post “Episode 251: Helen Ellis”…

This is the conclusion of our epic three-hour interview with living legend Dick Carson (Part 1, Part 2), featuring stories from his pool hustling days and memories of Frank Rosenthal. Timestamps 0:30 Hello 4:07 Strategy 29:45 Dick pt iii Strategy 2/5 NL. My Stack is about 770 … Read full post “Episode 250: Dick Carson Part 3”…

This is a continuation of our massive interview with Dick Carson (Part 1 here). In this episode, you’ll hear stories about the Binions, Bobby Baldwin, Chip Reese, Anthony Spilotro, and more. Thanks to John the Lawyer for all his help both before and during the interview! And thanks … Read full post “Episode 249: Dick Carson, Part 2”…

Dick Carson is an old-school gambler, pool hustler, bookie, and poker player. He’s also a hulluva storyteller and a helluva nice guy. Nate, Andrew, and John the Lawyer sit down with him to talk about the best poker players you never heard of, the early days of the World Series … Read full post “Episode 248: Dick Carson, Part 1”…

MARIA KONNIKOVA Maria Konnikova is a best-selling author turned semi-pro tournament poker player. She is a contributing writer for the New Yorker and the author of The Confidence Game and Mastermind: How to Think Like Sherlock Holmes. Twitter Instagram Link Timestamps 0:30 Strategy 31:46 Maria Konnikova Strategy Hand Details … Read full post “E ...…

It’s one strategy segment… followed by another strategy segment, after an interview needs to be rescheduled. Nate and Andrew discuss playing from the Small Blind and playing tricky hands like top pair with a bad kicker. Timestamps 0:30 hello 9:35 strat 51:43 extra strat Strategy Hand 1 – 3/5 NL… Read full post “Episode 246: Guess We’re Talking ...…

Carlos Welch is back to talk about his decision to get coaching from Ryan “Protential” LaPlante and the new, looser style of play with which he’s been experimenting as a result. Timestamps 0:30 – hello 34:19 – strat Strategy Hand 1 Hand 2 Hero opens to $35 with 8d 7d … Read full post “Episode 245: Carlooser”…

Ryan Click is a former professional poker player who now works in sales in the space/aerospace industry (and still plays a lot of poker!). We talk about the future – and present – of space exploration, the importance of a dedicated bankroll for amateur players, overcoming alcohol addiction, and much … Read full post “Episode 244: Ryan Click”…

Jamal Hanson introduces us to a high-stakes poker game we knew nothing about… because it’s played behind bars. Jamal, who graduated college at 16 but ultimately landed him in prison for selling crack cocaine, talks about learning to play, landing a whale, winning the tacit approval of the warden, and … Read full post “Episode 243: Jamal Hanson”…

Nate and Andrew enjoy some “alone time” and answer listeners’ strategy questions (and a programming question) from the mailbag. Here’s the online MIT Computer Science Course that Nate recommended. Strategy Hand 1 100 BB effective stacks Dealt to Hero: Ks Ts UTG folds, Hero (MP) raises to 3BB, Villain (CO) … Read full post “Episode 242: Your Str ...…

Poker player and crypto assets trader @blaissezfaire joins us to explain what exactly crypto assets are, why the poker world went crazy for them in 2017, and what the future may hold. Timestamps 0:30 hello 11:08 strat 28:13 chris Links Cryptoassets: The Innovative Investor’s Guide to Bitcoin and Beyond Jameson … Read full post “Episode 241: The ...…

Jordan Young has been a professional poker player for well over a decade, but only somewhat recently has he hit a stride that seems attainable. We talk about bankroll management, painkiller addiction, the Solve for Why Academy, and how to get under your opponents’ skin without ever saying a word.… Read full post “Episode 240: Jordan Young”…

Cory Mikesell is a professional poker player, a chess master, a writer, and the author of 3Bet Pots Game Theory and Practice. We talk about his struggles, his successes, and how thoroughly he’s thrown himself into everything he’s done. Run It Once Thread Support the Bay Area Urban Debate … Read full post “Episode 239: Cory Mikesell”…