Chasing Poker Greatness

Today’s guest is an absolute legend of the online game, Jon “apestyles” Van Fleet.Jon is currently #4 in lifetime online poker MTT tournament winnings with a cool $15.8 million … with a $5 million+ of that coming from a ridiculous 2 month venture playing $25k MTT’s on GGPoker last November and December (Which you are moments away from hearing all about).And not only has Jon been crushing tournaments for almost 2 decades, he is also as generous as they come when it comes to helping other folks out and sharing valuable information that probably isn’t in his best interest.When it comes to MTT poker coaches, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better dude to help you ascend through the poker ranking than Jon.In our conversation, you’ll also learn: - Why structure is paramount to Apestyles success in life.- Why the game of poker is an amazing example of a meritocracy that is more pure than almost any other life pursuit.- How he uses PIO to generate heuristics and find patterns he can actually execute at the tables.- And so much more!So buckle up, strap in, and get ready for a plethora of GREATNESS BOMBS from world-class tournament CRUSHER Jon "Apestyles" Van Fleet.New CPG Cash Game Courses!Preflop Bootcamp: https://bit.ly/Preflop-BootcampFish in a Barrel: http://bit.ly/fish-in-a-barrelNeutralize Flop Leads: https://bit.ly/2OkN8Yt

11 Feb 20202h 3min

My guest today is the always incredible Kristy Arnett.Kristy has been in the poker industry for the past 15 years, starting off working as a reporter for Card Player magazine and then PokerNews. Then, in 2014, she decided to take the leap and began to play cards professionally.For a lot of folks, this could have ended in absolute disaster … but Kristy is not a human being you want to bet against.She has the unique combination of other-worldly grittiness, humility, and confidence that pretty much guarantees success in whatever venture she chooses to take on.She has not only survived but has THRIVED on the green felt, battling primarily in the live cash game arenas in sunny California.Kristy sums up her aspirations in life through a T.S. Elliot quote, “Only those who risk going too far, can possibly know how far one can go.”But you can’t have a journey without a plan, a vision for what it will take to reach your destination and if you are lacking a vision, Kristy is about to walk you through that process.In our conversation, you’ll also learn:- Why Kristy decided to leave poker media and go pro.- How poker can be used as a tool to pursue what you love.- Kristy’s amazing wisdom if you want to become a professional poker player.- How you can use poker to become a better human being.- And so, so MUCH more!So without any further ado, I bring to you my conversation with future NYT bestselling author, Kristy Arnett.New CPG Cash Game Courses!Preflop Bootcamp: https://bit.ly/Preflop-BootcampFish in a Barrel: http://bit.ly/fish-in-a-barrelNeutralize Flop Leads: https://bit.ly/2OkN8Yt

7 Feb 20201h 13min

Ryan has been a POKER BATTLER since he was a mere 18 year old in his hometown of Calgary, Alberta Canada. Always willing to mix it up, Ryan is the rare breed of poker player who is willing to sit down and play any variation of poker under the sun. For the first handful of years in his poker career, Ryan was a full-time live pro who never really caught the online bug.That all changed practically overnight when Ryan decided to jump head first into the Twitch streets because of a challenge from one of his good friends, Kevin Martin … which he’ll tell you all about in just a few minutes.The poker world should be very, very grateful for that challenge as Ryan brings a uniqueness to the poker world that, in my opinion, is invaluable for both rookies and veterans in the cardplayer game.In our conversation, you’ll also learn:Why game specialization isn’t always the most profitable or gratifying route you can take as a poker player.Why Ryan transitioned to solely battling on the PLO streets on his Twitch stream.How playing the carnival games for “fun” even a little bit in your downtime can have a dramatic negative impact on your poker career.And much more.So strap in tight and get ready to feel the burning desire to diversify your game selection, increase your edge, and insulate yourself in an ever-chasing poker environment.Without any further ado, I am super pumped to bring to you my conversation with Ryan Schoonbaert.New CPG Cash Game Courses!Preflop Bootcamp: https://bit.ly/Preflop-BootcampFish in a Barrel: http://bit.ly/fish-in-a-barrelNeutralize Flop Leads: https://bit.ly/2OkN8Yt

4 Feb 20201h 17min

Today I am going to be speaking with one of poker’s superstars. Anyone with even a passing interest in poker during the last 20 years will certainly know who he is. My guest today is the one and only “poker brat” himself, Mr Phil Helmuth.Phil’s list of accomplishments and accolades in Poker is so long that it’s difficult to put it all together without missing something. To name just some of the things that have made him one of the best poker players to ever take a seat at the table:- He is a member of the WSOP Poker Hall of Fame- In 1989 he became the youngest player to win the WSOP main event. A record that stood until 2008 when Peter Eastgate won the event.- He holds the record for most WSOP cashes - 108- He holds the record for most WSOP final tables - 52- He has won more than $14 million in WSOP cashes alone- He ranks 5th on the WSOP all-time money list- He holds 15 championship bracelets, 13 of them for Hold’em- In 1993 he became only the second player in history to win 3 bracelets at one WSOP14 cashes and 5 final tables in the WPTAside from appearing on TV during broadcasts of some of the tournaments he’s played in, he’s also appeared in many other televised games such as Poker After Dark, Hight Stakes Poker, and Late Night Poker.Just slightly outside of poker, Phil has also written several books including his autobiography, “Poker Brat”, several poker strategy books, and “Positivity: 8 Tips For Success”.During my conversation with Phil , you’ll hear some of his best stories about a life playing poker and the places the game has taken him. He talks about the days when the only people who knew who professional poker players were were other professional poker players. He talks about what it was like to go from obscurity to a poker celebrity recognized all over the world, and, of course, what it’s like to carry the reputation of being “the poker brat”.There are very few players that have played as long as Phil Helmuth has and remain active and successful in the game. ...And he shows no signs of stopping anytime soon.This episode was originally aired live on YouTube. If you didn’t catch the live broadcast, you’ll be glad you didn’t miss this chance to get a candid peek inside the world of one of poker’s living legends. I thank you again for listening...And now...This Phil Helmuth on Chasing Poker Greatness.New CPG Cash Game Courses!Preflop Bootcamp: https://bit.ly/Preflop-BootcampFish in a Barrel: http://bit.ly/fish-in-a-barrelNeutralize Flop Leads: https://bit.ly/2OkN8Yt

31 Jan 20201h 9min

Today my guest is the one and only Aleeyah Jadavji.Aleeyah is a WSOP writer, live reporter, poker player, winner of the PokerStars $30k Platinum Pass, and all-around badass. Before we hop into Aleeyah and I’s conversation, I want to be upfront in that this was the most nervous I have ever been before any interview I have ever done. In these CPG intros I talk a lot about career winnings in the millions of dollars, awards won, and going to war playing massive stakes, but all of that pales in comparison to the battle Aleeyah is fighting.A couple of years ago, after losing 100 lbs and feeling the best she’s ever felt, Aleeyah was dealing with some intense pain and went to the Dr. where she found out she had a 10 lb cancerous tumor in her stomach. Fortunately the tumor had not spread (Most likely for reasons we discuss in our conversation) and was successfully removed. Unfortunately the cancer did return and, like the true warrior she is, Aleeyah’s battle continues as of the release of this episode. The vulnerability Aleeyah expressed in our conversation is of course incredibly inspiring, I am humbled to say that I now consider her a dear friend, and I can say with 100% confidence that this is my favorite podcast conversation of all-time.So, without any further ado, I bring to you Aleeyah Jadavji on Chasing Poker Greatness.New CPG Cash Game Courses!Preflop Bootcamp: https://bit.ly/Preflop-BootcampFish in a Barrel: http://bit.ly/fish-in-a-barrelNeutralize Flop Leads: https://bit.ly/2OkN8Yt

28 Jan 20201h 22min

Today I’m going to be speaking with Team PartyPoker online Pro and MTT specialist the DramaticDegen himself, Travis Darroch.Travis is yet another shining example of “making it” in the modern poker world through hard work and a genuine love for the game.He grew up with a love for film and aspirations of making it in the entertainment business but, ultimately, that ended up not working out.The entertainment industry’s loss was poker’s gain when Travis learned about a little niche called “streaming” where he could marry two of his loves at the same time … performance and playing cards.In Travis’s relatively short poker career, he has already had one 6 figure score with plenty more on the way.In our conversation you’re going to hear about the misery Travis went through working at Enterprise Rent-a-Car just a few short years back, how his family feels about him being a professional poker player (Shocker of the year here, not everyone is ultra supportive of a career playing cards), and how, despite initial hardships and struggles, Travis has risen up with an amazing following and some massive tournament scores. So, without any further ado, I bring to you my conversation with the DramaticDegen himself, Travis Darroch.New CPG Cash Game Courses!Preflop Bootcamp: https://bit.ly/Preflop-BootcampFish in a Barrel: http://bit.ly/fish-in-a-barrelNeutralize Flop Leads: https://bit.ly/2OkN8Yt

24 Jan 20201h 35min

Today I’m going to be speaking with renowned high-stakes online cash game crusher and coach, Nick Howard.Nick has been one of the prominent coaches in the poker world for going on 10 years now.He was once one of the most sought after coaches at Run It Once and has since moved on to form his own private coaching and staking company, Poker Detox.After experiencing extreme suffering and considering giving up the game forever, Nick surrendered to a larger purpose and made it his life’s mission to develop more simplified strategies than the GTO based ones so that other folks wouldn’t have to go through what he did.In order to put his money where his mouth was, Mission #1 was to take a small group of losing players and turn them into winners within a year … not an adventure for the faint of heart.They were successful, to say the least, and have since become the core of Poker Detox.Nick speaks with conviction as he shares his journey through inner turmoil, how he used that pain to drive him forward and create something new, and why he feels that it is absolutely essential that he shares what he knows and what he’s doing with those who want to learn from him.If you feel like you’ve been struggling, or that you’ve hit a wall you just can’t seem to get past, Nick’s words could be the catalyst that sets you on a new and easier path to poker greatness.Thanks again for joining me. And now...Nick Howard on Chasing Poker Greatness.New CPG Cash Game Courses!Preflop Bootcamp: https://bit.ly/Preflop-BootcampFish in a Barrel: http://bit.ly/fish-in-a-barrelNeutralize Flop Leads: https://bit.ly/2OkN8Yt

21 Jan 20201h 49min

Today I have the opportunity to speak with a true poker pioneer and insider. Having worked for about 15 years within the top levels of one of the largest poker sites in the world, you are about to enjoy a bounty of amazing stories about the good ole days of PokerStars.My guest today is author, professional cardplayer, and former PokerStars cardroom manager and head of communications, Lee Jones.Lee’s initial involvement in the industry started with a very young PokerStars in 2003 when he was asked to serve as their cardroom manager. Under this position, Lee was responsible for coordinating tournaments, making decisions on the games that would be offered, and more.Over the years he also worked as the executive host of the European Poker Tour, COO of Cardrunners.com, and cardroom manager at Cake Poker.He’s written — and continues to write — articles for such well-known poker publications as PokerNews.com and Bluff magazine.He is also known as the author of the book “Winning at Low-Limit Hold’em” and one half of the two-man team that developed the Sit And Go End Game system for heads-up tournament play.Currently, you’ll find him on YouTube, where he and previous Chasing Poker Greatness podcast guest Tommy Angelo have begun working together to create videos designed to simplify the game of poker so that they are more accessible and enjoyable for live cash game players.During my conversation with Lee, he’ll let you in on how he got started with poker, what brought him to work at PokerStars, and even a bit of what things looked like from inside the world’s largest poker site when Black Friday hit the US and the online poker landscape changed forever.It’s rare that one gets to hear from someone who was there almost from the beginning and watched as online poker grew from sites that could barely attract a few hundred players into monster empires with hundreds of thousands of players from all over the world competing at the same time.So strap in and get ready to enjoy Lee’s greatness bombs and take a trip down memory lane.Once again, I thank you for joining me and, without any further ado, this is Chasing Poker Greatness with Mr Lee Jones…New CPG Cash Game Courses!Preflop Bootcamp: https://bit.ly/Preflop-BootcampFish in a Barrel: http://bit.ly/fish-in-a-barrelNeutralize Flop Leads: https://bit.ly/2OkN8Yt

17 Jan 20201h 16min