#40 Philosophical Friday: Poker Addiction or Obsession?

On this week's episode, Coach Brad and Jon break down two hands from the high stakes games on Live At The Bike! and Hustler Casino Live.To learn more about the Free Nuffle promotion, visit: https://chasingpokergreatness.com/free-nuffle-promotionNew 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

14 Sep 202150min

Today’s guest on CPG is longtime online and live cash game crusher Igor Ioffe.Like many, many world-class cash game players around the world, Igor Ioffe has flown under the radar in the poker worl d for a couple of decades.These are the types of guests I absolutely LOVE having on CPG because they’re human beings after my own heart. All they wanna do is compete at a high level on the tables, maximize their hourly rate, cash out, and go home.Prestige and validation from the poker community at large is basically a non-factor.And what ends up happening, as in the case of today’s guest Igor Ioffe, is they’re able to reduce the external noise, develop a streamlined process for improvement with an end goal of maximizing their poker ability, and over time they develop into a poker monster.This may sound funny coming from someone with a podcast called “Chasing Poker Greatness” but, to me, poker greatness and anonymity are not mutually exclusive. For another real world example you only have to look at VeniVidi from the Galfond challenge.With that said, in today’s conversation with Igor Ioffe you’re going to learn:- A Greatness Bomb on the potential damage well-meaning poker teachers can cause to your results on the green felt.- How Igor originally fell into the world of cards.- What Igor believes are defining characteristics of winning poker players.- And much, much more!Without any further ado, I bring to you a man you very much don’t want to play poker against… high level cash game crusher, Igor Ioffe.To learn more about the Free Nuffle promotion, visit: https://chasingpokergreatness.com/free-nuffle-promotionNew 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

10 Sep 20211h 16min

Today’s guest on Chasing Poker Greatness is a prominent Youtuber, Twitch Streamer, poker player, thinker, and dreamer Pamela “Pamsi” Balzano.Pamela’s path to CPG comes by way of referral from Brazilian poker superstar Felipe “Mojave” Ramos and, I gotta say, the man’s suggestion was on point.Pamela may not currently be on your radar and that’s because the bulk of her content creation and poker journey is primarily for a Spanish speaking audience. An audience that, I might add, is quite large.On YouTube, Instagram, and Twitch she has around 35k followers combined and that’s a number that is growing by the minute.As you’re about to learn, she has earned her rabid following by crafting engaging, narrative driven pieces of content that simply resonates with her fellow human beings.So in today’s episode with Pamela Balzano, you’re going to learn:Pamela’s awesome content creation process.Her origin story into the world of poker.Why this card game is so meaningful to her and what her future plans hold.And much, MUCH more!Now, without any further ado I bring to you world-class content creator, Twitch streamer, and amazing, amazing human being… Pamela Balzano.To learn more about the Free Nuffle promotion, visit: https://chasingpokergreatness.com/free-nuffle-promotionNew 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

8 Sep 20211h 13min

A few episodes ago I (Coach Brad) told Jon that I wasn’t a fan of some of his hands where he decided to turn pairs into bluffs (see the Tactical Tuesday that aired on August 10, 2021). Jon, as he usually does, took my advice to heart and has now decided to start bluffing with hands that make me EVEN MORE uncomfortable. Find out how Jon’s crazy river adventures turn out this time and whether I approve.To learn more about the Free Nuffle promotion, visit: https://chasingpokergreatness.com/free-nuffle-promotionNew 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 Sep 202143min

Today’s guest on CPG is the winner of the 2015 $10k WSOP H.O.R.S.E. event, the brilliant Andrew Barber.If there’s one way to sum up Andrew Barber, it’s this: The man’s a stud.In life, there’s one trait I value in human beings above all others: The ability to admit when their previous opinion, no matter how strongly believed, is wrong.This changing of opinion may stem from new information or a revelation that it was rooted in some kind of cognitive bias but, whatever the case may be... they have enough courage to simply say, “You know what, you’re right, and now I’m gonna look at this a little differently.”When you approach poker and life from this paradigm, you’re able to expedite your evolution as a human being and avoid unnecessary suffering in a way I can’t overstate.I have many regrets in life but not understanding this lesson earlier on is one of my biggest and this is an area, as you’re about to find out, where Andrew Barber thrives.Andrew’s also a former engineer, economist, and follower of stoic philosophy who spends most of his life force these days in academia.In today’s episode with Andrew Barber, you’re going to learn:- How infusing altruism with his poker career completely changed Andrew’s perspective on being a professional card player.- it was very clear to Andrew that engineering was not going to be his path in life.- A Greatness Bomb in the form of a question that will save you untold hours of frustration when discussing emotional topics with your friends and family.- And much, MUCH more!And now, without any further ado, I bring to you WSOP bracelet winner and one of the highest level thinkers I know… Andrew Barber.To learn more about the Free Nuffle promotion, visit: https://chasingpokergreatness.com/free-nuffle-promotionNew 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 Sep 20212h 5min

Today’s guest on the podcast is Santiago Garcia Mansilla who’s a poker author, lover of the game, and longtime media member.If you’ve been listening to CPG for the past year you may recall a Twitter tournament I ran called #PokerGOAT that went a little sideways heading to the finish line.I woke up one beautiful morning with DMs from Erik Seidel (Which under almost any other circumstances would have been a great way to wake up) accusing Jonathan Little of buying Twitter votes so that his book could win more matches, there were all kinds of ugly public accusations from influential members of the poker community, and I ended up posting a public message and having JL on the pod to address all the silliness.The reason I bring this up is because Santiago was the human who initially pitched me the idea coming off the success of the original #PokerGOAT tournament and if the goal was to help sell books and shine a spotlight on some amazing poker books that slipped through the cracks then mission accomplished. If the goal was to get Erik Seidel to come onto the podcast then, well, that one feels like mission impossible at the moment.But the reason the idea seemed so obvious to Santiago is because of his immense love for the poker storytellers of the world. He’s a living keeper of the best poker tales ever told and the entire poker world ought to be thankful to have someone as passionate about preserving poker’s culture and history as Santiago. In today’s episode you’re going to learn:How a single poker tournament changed Santiago’s life forever.Amazing suggestions for poker books to read, many of which you probably haven’t ever heard of.The story and inspiration behind Santiago’s book “Cuentos y Relatos de Poker” which, appropriately enough, translates to “Stories and Tales of Poker.And much, MUCH more!And now, without any further ado, I bring to you an author, storyteller, and keeper of poker lore… Santiago Garcia Mansilla.To learn more about the Free Nuffle promotion, visit: https://chasingpokergreatness.com/free-nuffle-promotionNew 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

1 Sep 202149min

Last Thursday, during a live streamed cash game session, Coach Brad fired up a couple tables of 1kNL and was coincidently placed at a few of the same tables occupied by Jon. Unbeknownst to both student and coach, they battled each other in the anonymous games of Ignition, only realizing that they had played each other during a hand review session days later. Hit play to find out who came out on top in this Coach vs. Student showdown!To learn more about the Free Nuffle promotion, visit: https://chasingpokergreatness.com/free-nuffle-promotionNew 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 Aug 202134min

Today’s guest on CPG has racked up over $15 million in live and online MTT cashes, is the former #1 online multi-table poker tournament player in the world, and co-founded the wildly successful BitB staking group… the one and only Patrick “Pads” Leonard.To go along with all of those lofty poker accolades, Pads also owns a soccer team (Which he’ll tell you all about in our conversation) and, in his free time, gives out free reality TV show betting advice on Instagram.Yes, that’s really a thing.And because I know you’re sitting there chomping at the bit to dive deep into today’s conversation with Patrick “Pads” Leonard, here’s a little taste of what you’re going to learn:How Pads learned high stakes crushers were mere mortals who were capable of being beaten.Why Pads is so passionate about online poker and how that passion eventually led to him leaving BitB staking.The exact route both Pads and I believe you should take if you’re genuinely looking to elevate your poker game.And much, MUCH more!Before you dive into today’s show with Patrick Leonard I wanted to let you know that you can now represent Chasing Poker Greatness at your local cardroom, home game, or pretty much anywhere else you’re allowed to wear a t-shirt and hat by heading to CPGMerch.com.If you’ve listened to every episode and wanna help me out by building awareness and spreading the word about your favorite poker podcast, once again that’s CPGMerch.com. And now, without any further ado, I bring to you one of the most feared and respected online poker players in the galaxy, Patrick Leonard.To learn more about the Free Nuffle promotion, visit: https://chasingpokergreatness.com/free-nuffle-promotionNew 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

27 Aug 20211h 56min