This week Jim Reid and the panel interview Allen “Chainsaw” Kessler about a range of topics from his life in the world of poker. Known for his strong views on tournament structures, Allen gets right into the nuts and bolts of what makes for good and bad structures, how the stack sizes and the blind levels relate to each other, and the value in choosing the right structure for certain events. We also discuss traveling to play poker, the importance of game selection, Allen’s preference for mixed games, and some tips for folks heading to Las Vegas who want to have the trip of a lifetime – but on a shoestring budget!
Plus we give away a free prize at the end for folks in the YouTube chat. Join us on YouTube next Monday at 7:30 ET for free to ask our guests questions in real-time, and you can win too!
Allen is active on Twitter as @allenkessler and you can find out about his staking opportunities at https://stakekings.com/player/Chainsaw
We also go over this week’s home game results and discuss these topics:
How to help us out – https://rec.poker/support/
Home Games – https://rec.poker/homegame/
Go Premium! – https://rec.poker/premium/
RecPoker is a vibrant and encouraging poker learning community. We are committed to learning the game, but our priority is building healthy relationships where we can not only grow in the game, but grow in our enjoyment of life. The membership website at rec. poker is awesome, but it’s just a tool to help us build that community. You can join for FREE, giving you access to the groups, forums, and other member benefits. If you want to enjoy the premium content, or become part of the RECing Crew, those options are available, and you can get $10 off your first payment using the code RECPOKER.
04:57 | Welcome & Introduction |
07:12 | Introduction to Allen Kessler |
09:14 | How Allen deals with frustration |
11:22 | Allen describes his role in the poker industry |
15:13 | Allen: main things you want to look for are stack size, levels |
21:09 | Allen shares how he got his nickname CHAINSAW |
23:41 | Chat: Who’s going to run deeper you, Hellmuth, or Negreanu? |
25:32 | For less experienced players: How to know when to skip levels |
33:13 | No. 1 tip for World Series’ first timer: You want to be off the strip |
43:05 | Allen on where and how he plays video poker |
51:08 | What about poker makes Allen gleeful |
01:07:47 | John: Home Game Result updates |
01:13:04 | Rob: Book Study updates |
This week Jim Reid and the panel interview Sarah Herring about her 12 years (!) at Poker News and her new start at Poker.org. Sarah talks about her favorite interview and her least favorite (you might be surprised!). She goes into what it’s like to get started in the poker media world and gives some advice for people interested in getting started. She also shares a few embarrassing stories from her time at Poker News – and Jim’s Mom even gets a shoutout. Plus we give away a free prize at the end for folks in the YouTube chat. Join us on YouTube next Monday at 7:30 ET for free to ask our guests questions in real time, and you can win too.
Sarah is active on Twitter as @auntychardonnay and starting on November 1 you can find out more about her new position (we vote for “Drama Czar”) by going to poker.org
We also go over this week’s home game results and discuss these topics:
How to help us out – https://rec.poker/support/
Home Games – https://rec.poker/homegame/
Go Premium! – https://rec.poker/premium/
RecPoker is a vibrant and encouraging poker learning community. We are committed to learning the game, but our priority is building healthy relationships where we can not only grow in the game, but grow in our enjoyment of life. The membership website at rec. poker is awesome, but it’s just a tool to help us build that community. You can join for FREE, giving you access to the groups, forums, and other member benefits. If you want to enjoy the premium content, or become part of the RECing Crew, those options are available, and you can get $10 off your first payment using the code RECPOKER.
03:05 | Welcome & Introduction |
16:02 | Chris talks about themes coming up for the month |
21:38 | What are people trying to win by entering FOOD BANK into the chat |
23:19 | John: Home Game Result updates |
31:38 | Introduction to Sarah Herring |
35:03 | Sarah defines her own role in the poker world |
39:05 | Sarah: Bryn Kenny is one my favorite players to interview |
39:55 | Tensions in Sarah’s career, her connection to people, the poker news, etc. |
43:52 | Sarah on hearing people’s stories during an interview |
45:59 | What is Sarah’s role now in the poker world? |
55:55 | Sarah answers, “What’s your most embarrassing moment in poker?” |
01:02:37 | Advice to people who want to create their own space in the poker world |
This week Jim Reid and the panel interview Maanit Madan from rfpoker.com who shares some context around possible technical/security weaknesses in the streaming world that have been mentioned in the conversations around The Hand that we’ve all been hearing about for the last few weeks, and some of the technical factors that go into tracking and streaming technology on today’s tables. Maanit recaps some current events and gets right into the technical difficulties of securely streaming private card info in real time, then the gang talks a little about the future of streaming poker, and of playing on ‘closed box’ systems like the ones at rfpoker.com that can collect and share a lot of the information that poker fans want to follow along with – and not have to worry about who’s watching in real time. Good news for the future of livestream poker – and more!
Maanit is active on Twitter as @maanitm30
Their company website is http://rfpoker.com
Their company Twitter handle is @rflabsinc
We also go over this week’s home game results and discuss these topics:
How to help us out – https://rec.poker/support/
Home Games – https://rec.poker/homegame/
Go Premium! – https://rec.poker/premium/
RecPoker is a vibrant and encouraging poker learning community. We are committed to learning the game, but our priority is building healthy relationships where we can not only grow in the game, but grow in our enjoyment of life. The membership website at rec. poker is awesome, but it’s just a tool to help us build that community. You can join for FREE, giving you access to the groups, forums, and other member benefits. If you want to enjoy the premium content, or become part of the RECing Crew, those options are available, and you can get $10 off your first payment using the code RECPOKER.
02:54 | Welcome & Introduction |
05:22 | Introduction to Maanit Madan |
06:15 | Maanit’s role in the poker world |
7:14 | Maanit shares his conversation with Joe Ingram about |
08:44 | Maanit on improvement of technology and RFID |
11:53 | How RFID works in terms of security |
16:56 | RFID implementation and process |
25:22 | Encrypting process during a game |
26:13 | Maanit on how featured table works |
29:03 | Does the App rival metrics available to online players? |
36:18 | Maanit describes the durability of RFID cards and chips |
54:20 | John: Home Game Result |
This week Jim Reid and the panel interview longtime pro player and coach Kevin Rabichow about his experiences as a high-stakes heads-up player — and how it’s led him to create his new training course at Run It Once called The Game Plan. Kevin gets right into his insights about adjusting from full-ring to short-handed play, some theoretical implications of only having two players in each hand, why postflop analysis is so important, how he takes notes and how to get the most out of them, good ways to practice shorthanded play, and we even have time to get into RecPoker’s Theme of the Month this month: 3-betting! It’s a great chat and there is some fun new developments at the end of the show that you’ll want to stick around for as well.
Kevin is active on Twitter as @krabichow and you can find out more about him and his course at these links:
Course: https://www.runitonce.com/courses/the-game-plan/
Coaching Website: https://www.kevinrabichow.com/
IG: https://instagram.com/krabichow
We also go over this week’s home game results and discuss these topics:
How to help us out – https://rec.poker/support/
Home Games – https://rec.poker/homegame/
Go Premium! – https://rec.poker/premium/
RecPoker is a vibrant and encouraging poker learning community. We are committed to learning the game, but our priority is building healthy relationships where we can not only grow in the game, but grow in our enjoyment of life. The membership website at rec. poker is awesome, but it’s just a tool to help us build that community. You can join for FREE, giving you access to the groups, forums, and other member benefits. If you want to enjoy the premium content, or become part of the RECing Crew, those options are available, and you can get $10 off your first payment using the code RECPOKER.
00:13 | Welcome & Introduction |
02:08 | Introduction to Kevin Rabichow |
02:18 | Kevin’s role in the world of poker |
03:53 | Inexperienced players’ challenges when moving to a certain style of game |
06:46 | Is post-flop skill even more premium than heads up? |
10:20 | The importance of one distinction in training |
13:43 | Kevin on what hands to limp or open with |
14:46 | Understanding whether to play balanced or not |
20:59 | Kevin: I’m a pretty big proponent of note-taking |
27:32 | Kevin talks about his course and teaching approach |
36:21 | Kevin’s thoughts on the approach to post-flop as the 3-bet aggressor |
45:19 | John: Home Game Result |
This week Jim Reid and the panel interview Dr. Alex Chauran, a twitch streamer, writer, and instructor with Poker Power who thoroughly enjoys working with beginner players and taking their game to the next level. A practicing Wiccan, Doc runs her own coven in British Columbia, Canada, and shares some details about what life is like practicing witchcraft. She also discusses how poker has helped her overcome adversity, some missteps new players often make, the different strategies she employs when playing cash versus playing “Spin & go” poker online, and a lot more!
Doc is active on Twitter as @dralexchauran and on twitch at
http://twitch.tv/queenofdiamonds
Find out more about Poker Power and their goal to teach a million women to play poker at www.pokerpower.com
We also go over this week’s home game results and discuss these topics:
How to help us out – https://rec.poker/support/
Home Games – https://rec.poker/homegame/
Go Premium! – https://rec.poker/premium/
RecPoker is a vibrant and encouraging poker learning community. We are committed to learning the game, but our priority is building healthy relationships where we can not only grow in the game, but grow in our enjoyment of life. The membership website at rec. poker is awesome, but it’s just a tool to help us build that community. You can join for FREE, giving you access to the groups, forums, and other member benefits. If you want to enjoy the premium content, or become part of the RECing Crew, those options are available, and you can get $10 off your first payment using the code RECPOKER.
00:13 | Welcome & Introduction |
03:38 | Introduction to Dr. Alex Chauran |
04:37 | Alex talks about her role at Poker Power |
09:52 | What brought Alex into witchcraft? |
15:47 | How Alex came to know poker and its role in her life |
21:08 | Helping beginners understand theories about aces |
27:13 | Alex is one of the leading instructors at Poker Power |
31:38 | Differences in payouts on Spin & Go compared to tournaments etc. |
36:05 | Does the rising prize pool affect strategies? |
38:47 | Teaching techniques Alex uses for beginners |
41:00 | Kim: Time for study vs play? |
52:05 | Alex’s thoughts on 3 betting from an aggressor’s POV |
This week Jim Reid and the panel interview Matt Berkey, the founder of Solve For Why and a longtime friend of the show. Matt starts by talking about the goals of Solve For Why Academy and how they approach learning. We then get into common misconceptions that recreational players have about the game. We discuss fold equity as it relates to the strength of your hand, Matt analyzes different hands equities on a common flop texture, and we learn how to play a nut flush draw in various situations. This episode is jam packed with strategic goodness, so open up your ears and enjoy!
Links to learn more: solveforwhy.io & youtube.com/solveforwhy and for social media @berkey11 on all social @solveforwhytv on twitter
We also go over this week’s home game results and discuss these topics:
How to help us out – https://rec.poker/support/
Home Games – https://rec.poker/homegame/
Go Premium! – https://rec.poker/premium/
RecPoker is a vibrant and encouraging poker learning community. We are committed to learning the game, but our priority is building healthy relationships where we can not only grow in the game, but grow in our enjoyment of life. The membership website at rec. poker is awesome, but it’s just a tool to help us build that community. You can join for FREE, giving you access to the groups, forums, and other member benefits. If you want to enjoy the premium content, or become part of the RECing Crew, those options are available, and you can get $10 off your first payment using the code RECPOKER.
00:08 | Welcome & Introduction |
02:08 | Introduction to Matt Berkey |
02:38 | What is Matt up to now in the poker world? |
03:58 | Matt shares how “Solve For Why” started |
07:08 | The best approach to learning poker |
10:53 | Recreational players’ misconceptions |
13:43 | Opponents Folding vs. Folding Equity |
24:47 | How Matt reads his opponents at the table |
36:10 | Cognitive Skills and Discipline: are they teachable? |
38:09 | The cheapest way to study GTO |
42:01 | Matt talks about how the “Friends Only” podcast got started |
50:15 | John: Home Game Result updates |
This week Jim Reid and the panel interview Dan Ross from PokerLiveUpdates.com about championing recreational poker players from around the world, and celebrating their successes. Dan and his crew are actively involved in reporting poker tours and results for not just the biggest tours around – but also the smaller ones that we seem to have the most fun at. Dan and the panel talk about the logistics of reporting, the highs and lows of covering poker, some of his own favorite rooms and tours, the importance of helping people in need, and a lot more!
Check out Dan’s slick poker updates page at http://pokerliveupdates.com/
Dan is also active on Twitter as @holdemmedia_dan
We also go over this week’s home game results and discuss these topics:
How to help us out – https://rec.poker/support/
Home Games – https://rec.poker/homegame/
Go Premium! – https://rec.poker/premium/
RecPoker is a vibrant and encouraging poker learning community. We are committed to learning the game, but our priority is building healthy relationships where we can not only grow in the game, but grow in our enjoyment of life. The membership website at rec. poker is awesome, but it’s just a tool to help us build that community. You can join for FREE, giving you access to the groups, forums, and other member benefits. If you want to enjoy the premium content, or become part of the RECing Crew, those options are available, and you can get $10 off your first payment using the code RECPOKER.
00:08 | Welcome & Introduction |
03:10 | Introduction to Dan Ross |
04:40 | Dan shares how he started playing poker |
06:52 | Dan describes the transition period of the business |
09:08 | Convincing casinos to promote poker tournaments |
17:11 | Thunder Valley: Dan’s favorite poker room |
24:02 | Dan: Everybody who reads what we do is a potential player |
31:45 | Managing time in sticky situations |
36:35 | Dan talks about downtime |
42:36 | Tips on dealing with people in crisis |
44:36 | More about the “Play” in poker |
01:07:01 | John: Home Game Updates |
This week Jim Reid and the panel welcome Veronica Brill back to the show and they have a great time talking about what goes on behind the scenes of the poker world. From streamers and vloggers to meet-up-games and high-stakes cash play, Veronica has seen it all! They also discuss what makes poker a pleasure and how players, professionals, and venues can all work together to make the game more accessible and fun for new people. But that’s not all, they also get into what makes K.L. Cleeton such a jerk, one thing Veronica is afraid of, what she’s learned about poker lately, and a lot more!
Find Veronica on Social Media:
Twitter is @angry_polak
Insta is @angry_polakv
We also go over this week’s home game results and discuss these topics:
How to help us out – https://rec.poker/support/
Home Games – https://rec.poker/homegame/
Go Premium! – https://rec.poker/premium/
RecPoker is a vibrant and encouraging poker learning community. We are committed to learning the game, but our priority is building healthy relationships where we can not only grow in the game, but grow in our enjoyment of life. The membership website at rec. poker is awesome, but it’s just a tool to help us build that community. You can join for FREE, giving you access to the groups, forums, and other member benefits. If you want to enjoy the premium content, or become part of the RECing Crew, those options are available, and you can get $10 off your first payment using the code RECPOKER.
00:06 | Welcome & Introduction |
01:52 | Introduction to Veronica Brill |
02:34 | How Veronica defines her place in the poker world |
03:47 | Veronica on commentating about the poker game |
06:46 | The secret sauce Veronica has that makes poker fun |
10:22 | Veronica talks about K.L Cleeton |
12:38 | What can organizations, tours, and pro players do to make poker more fun? |
22:09 | Veronica shares behind the scenes stories |
29:05 | The best place in Canada to play poker |
31:58 | Strategically, what Veronica has learned about poker |
34:32 | Veronica’s greatest fear |
42:04 | John: Home Game Result updates |
59:13 | Rob: Book Study updates |
This week Jim Reid and the panel are joined again by Greg Clem, our resident RECing Crew Interviewer, who puts our own Rob Washam in the hot seat! Rob is one of the founding members of RecPoker and an active member of the RECing Crew – affectionately referred to as the Zen Master of the panel, Rob runs the biweekly Book Study group and contributes heavily to the strategy content RecPoker produces every month.
Rob talks about how he got started in poker, how he likes to learn things, and how he met Steve and joined RecPoker. He also discusses playing in home games, early podcast editions, his favourite books, playing in the WSOP Main Event, how to improve as a new player, mindfulness, and a lot more!
Rob is active on Twitter as @rabman50
We also go over this week’s home game results and discuss these topics:
How to help us out – https://rec.poker/support/
Home Games – https://rec.poker/homegame/
Go Premium! – https://rec.poker/premium/
RecPoker is a vibrant and encouraging poker learning community. We are committed to learning the game, but our priority is building healthy relationships where we can not only grow in the game, but grow in our enjoyment of life. The membership website at rec. poker is awesome, but it’s just a tool to help us build that community. You can join for FREE, giving you access to the groups, forums, and other member benefits. If you want to enjoy the premium content, or become part of the RECing Crew, those options are available, and you can get $10 off your first payment using the code RECPOKER.
00:08 | Welcome & Introduction |
02:08 | How Rob got into poker |
05:50 | Rob shares how he got to RecPoker and met Steve |
10:36 | Spending more time playing and studying poker after retiring |
17:39 | Where did Rob play to start? |
19:04 | His most influential poker book: Modern Poker Theory by Michael Acevedo |
22:02 | Rob talks about his approach to hand reading |
26:34 | Rob shares his experience playing at the WSOP on live TV |
36:29 | The most memorable podcast guest Rob has ever had |
43:09 | Playing, analyzing, and studying poker changed Rob’s game |
51:12 | Recommendations about note taking |
53:54 | Golf was the reason Rob approached life with stoicism |
This week Jim Reid and the panel interview the one and only Norman Chad about a host of subjects, from working with that jerk Lon to selecting his next glass of red wine – and beyond! Jim overcomes his usual technical issues just in time to ask Norman about getting his start in poker, why he loves mixed games so much, and how recreational players like us can improve. They also discuss what it’s like being a poker insider and Norman shares some personal stories about dealing with depression and the value of community. You won’t want to miss this one!
Norman is active on Twitter as @normanchad
We also go over this week’s home game results and discuss these topics:
How to help us out – https://rec.poker/support/
Home Games – https://rec.poker/homegame/
Go Premium! – https://rec.poker/premium/
RecPoker is a vibrant and encouraging poker learning community. We are committed to learning the game, but our priority is building healthy relationships where we can not only grow in the game, but grow in our enjoyment of life. The membership website at rec. poker is awesome, but it’s just a tool to help us build that community. You can join for FREE, giving you access to the groups, forums, and other member benefits. If you want to enjoy the premium content, or become part of the RECing Crew, those options are available, and you can get $10 off your first payment using the code RECPOKER.
00:06 | Welcome and Introduction |
02:15 | Introduction to Norman Chad |
02:51 | Norman’s role in the poker world |
04:41 | Mixed Games: A lot more fun! |
07:57 | What excites Norman about playing poker |
9:20 | How Norman got introduced to poker |
11:29 | Norman talks about the importance of chemistry with a partner |
28:44 | Norman: poker is a tough profession to pursue |
37:27 | One thing that the poker world should be doing better |
44:50 | Getting better at Mixed Games: What Recreational Players can do |
51:49 | Jim: Home Games update |
55:59 | Rob: Book study updates |
This week Jim Reid and the panel interview Rob Gardner, a pro player and content creator who shared a table with Jim in the WSOP main event this year. Rob opens up about his experiences playing as a tournament pro over the last several years, what got him into poker in the first place, and how important it is to know if you are playing for fun or money. He also shares how he improves and studies the game, the importance of bankroll management and game selection as a pro, how to exploit less savvy players with your sizing techniques, and a lot more!
NOTE: In the interview, Rob refers to a 2-year threshold for profitable play – this refers to folks who are actively working hard to become winning players and is not a standard that recreational players who play for fun should hold themselves to. Enjoy!
Rob can also be found here:
Twitter: @robgardnerlive
Youtube RobGardner.Live or youtube.com/RobGardnerLive
Twitch: twitch.tv/pokerpastor
Instagram: RobGardnerLive
TikTok: RobGardnerLive
Email: [email protected]
We also go over this week’s home game results and discuss these topics:
How to help us out – https://rec.poker/support/
Home Games – https://rec.poker/homegame/
Go Premium! – https://rec.poker/premium/
RecPoker is a vibrant and encouraging poker learning community. We are committed to learning the game, but our priority is building healthy relationships where we can not only grow in the game, but grow in our enjoyment of life. The membership website at rec. poker is awesome, but it’s just a tool to help us build that community. You can join for FREE, giving you access to the groups, forums, and other member benefits. If you want to enjoy the premium content, or become part of the RECing Crew, those options are available, and you can get $10 off your first payment using the code RECPOKER.
00:08 | Welcome & Introduction |
02:17 | Introduction to Rob Gardner |
03:13 | Rob’s 2nd time playing at the main event |
06:40 | Rob’s role in the poker world |
13:50 | Technical help Rob may provide for players |
20:25 | Rob talks about Chase the Dream |
24:34 | The 2-year threshold for profitable play |
29:43 | Rob’s advice on doing a stream |
33:46 | Playing live vs. playing online |
35:38 | Mistakes in exploiting poker that are actually good |
39:06 | What does going into the lab entail? |
54:42 | John: Home Game Result updates |
This week Jim Reid and the panel don’t interview anyone at all – instead they review some elements of this year’s World Series of Poker, and go over a hand Jim played on Day 1 where flopping the nuts has a tinge of anxiety attached. They talk about 3-bet and 4-bet dynamics, hand rages, tournament structures, blind vs blind play, and more!
We also go over this week’s home game results and discuss these topics:
How to help us out – https://rec.poker/support/
Home Games – https://rec.poker/homegame/
Go Premium! – https://rec.poker/premium/
RecPoker is a vibrant and encouraging poker learning community. We are committed to learning the game, but our priority is building healthy relationships where we can not only grow in the game, but grow in our enjoyment of life. The membership website at rec. poker is awesome, but it’s just a tool to help us build that community. You can join for FREE, giving you access to the groups, forums, and other member benefits. If you want to enjoy the premium content, or become part of the RECing Crew, those options are available, and you can get $10 off your first payment using the code RECPOKER.
00:09 | Welcome & Introduction |
04:18 | The panel shares their experience and discovery while in the WSOP |
11:50 | Jim talks about poker hands |
16:25 | What it’s like hearing the ruffling chip stack at the Bally’s and Paris |
21:38 | Rob: famous person hunting |
23:51 | Jim on his first time playing at the main event |
29:34 | The moment Jim got stuck on a bad table |
36:51 | Starting with something unique to the main event |
49:10 | Types of events that draw less seasoned players |
53:50 | Cold 4 Bet: How strong should your hand be |
01:06:40 | John: Home Game result updates |