#40 Philosophical Friday: Poker Addiction or Obsession?

Today’s guest on the podcast is the co-host of The Grind Haus podcast along with past CPG guest Brian “The Golden Blazer” Frenzel, Tournament Poker Edge coach, Twitch streamer, and lawyer Jerod Smith.Jerod is a natural born battler who mainly plays MTTs but has been dipping his toe into my favorite waters, the cash game streets.The post-lockdown MTT grind has been going well for Mr. Smith, as in April he had his biggest score to date in a $545 event at the Wynn for $62k.Jerod is one of my favorite people to have on CPG because, as his rabid fan base on Twitch will attest, dude just calls it like he sees it which is one of the characteristics I most value in my fellow man.In today’s show you’re going to learn:- Why sometimes shutting yourself off from human interaction when you’re at the poker table is necessary.- Inside stories about life in the Grind Haus.- Why Jerod has been incorporating more cash game play into his poker schedule.- And much, much more!So, without any further ado, I bring to you a professional poker play, coach, and podcast host Jerod Smith.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 Juni 20211h 21min

Today’s guest on the Chasing Poker Greatness podcast has become one of the most important and beloved humans in the world of poker in just a couple of years, the one and only Maria Konnikova. Maria is the New York Times Bestselling author of Mastermind, The Confidence Game, and the one that cements her lasting legacy in the poker world: The Biggest Bluff.Despite having been released only one short year ago, The Biggest Bluff is widely considered to be one of the Greatest Poker Books of All-Time and, in my humble opinion, will also go down in poker history as the most influential.A funny thing happened however, when Maria got her hooks into the world of poker…The world of poker got their hooks into Maria.Since beginning her poker journey Maria has since racked up over $300k in live MTT cashes and is now a mainstay at poker tournaments all around the world.In today’s conversation with Maria Konnikova, you’re going to learn:- The surprising internal nemesis Maria has to contend with regularly.-An awesome story that illustrates Maria’s rapid-fire progression as a poker player involving a true poker Villain.- Tactics that will help you do the things you know you really should but for some reason keep putting them off.- And much, MUCH more!And before you dive into my conversation with Maria, I want to take a second to let you know The Biggest Bluff paperback was released exactly one day ago and, if you haven’t yet devoured it cover to cover, you can grab your copy at all the regular places books are sold. You can also grab it by clicking through the link on Maria’s showpage at ChasingPokerGreatness.com.Now, without any further ado I bring to you New York Times Bestselling author, poker champion and champion of poker, the perpetually infused with greatness Maria Konnikova.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

9 Juni 20211h 2min

On this week's episode, Coach Brad and Jon each bring in a hand that starts with a light 4bet pre-flop and some deepstacked decisions post-flop. Coach Brad is faced with the question of how to get as much money in the pot as possible, while Jon contemplates whether he needs to put all the money in the middle just to have a chance at winning the pot.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

8 Juni 202137min

In today’s episode, I am joined by the always Stoic and thoughtful legend of poker, the one and only Andrew “LuckyChewy” Lichtenberger.And to begin I wanna tell you a personal story about Chewy:At the RIO during WSOP time in 2012 I was battling in a $10-$25 cash game when the kid next to me whispered in my ear, “Oh my god Chewy’s about to get a seat in the game. That dude’s terrifying!”Enter Chewy:One of the most non-threatening and genuinely warm human beings I’ve ever encountered…Off the felt.On the felt? He’s only terrifying if playing against a human who trusts themselves completely, pays attention to everything, and then does the exact thing you desperately do NOT want him to do over and over and over and over and over and over and over again.Like Jason Su might say, Chewy is overflowing with “presence”.Despite being only 33 years old, he’s cashed for over $10 Million in live MTTs and terrorized high stakes cash games all around the world…It's no surprise he's widely considered one of the very best poker players in the world.In Chewy’s always calm, well-articulated, and laser focused explanations, you’re about to learn:- How Chewy goes about integrating his intuition with tactical analysis while he’s playing cards.- What coaching rising poker star Landon Tice has been like.- What a “flow day” is and why they’re Chewy’s favorite kind of days.- And much, MUCH more.Before we head into this episode, I also wanna let you know that Chewy’s about to drop a Nuclear Greatness Bomb with his answer to question: “What’s a purchase you’ve made in the last year that’s been ultra impactful to your poker game?”And now, without any further ado, I am honored to bring to you not only one PokerGOATS but also a genuinely amazing, amazing human being Andrew “LuckyChewy” Lichtenberger.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 Juni 20211h 4min

Today’s guest on the Chasing Poker Greatness podcast is longtime poker professional Darren Elias. Darren’s just 34 years old, but he's already established himself as the end boss of the World Poker Tour.It’s exceptionally difficult to win a prestigious award like WPT Player of the Year at any point but Darren is a man who eats extremely difficult things for breakfast. Darren not only holds the record for most WPT wins with four but also holds the record for most Final Tables (12) and Cashes (38). He is a true model of consistency.And like most high level players over the course of the pandemic, he’s taken advantage of his year being locked inside by immersing himself in online poker.In his own words: “The buy-ins are so much bigger, the level of play is so much higher, and you really have to bring your best.”To the surprise of absolutely no one, Darren has risen to the occasion like he always does and feasted on the souls of his virtual competitors. He’s also recently joined up with past CPG guest, the founder of Faded Spade, Tom Wheaton at “Above the Felt Entertainment” and you’re about to learn how that experience has been going.In today’s episode packed full of Greatness Bombs with Darren Elias, you’re going to learn:- Why Billy Baxter really needs to come onto CPG and tell us some stories.- How Darren has tackled his transition back to being a regular in the online streets.- The one thing that makes even the great Darren Elias anxious.- And much, MUCH moreAnd now without any further ado, I bring to you the four-time World Poker Tour champ, the one and only Darren Elias.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

2 Juni 20211h 12min

On this week's episode Coach Brad and Jon break down a couple hands from one of Jon's recent $5/$10 online sessions. Jon's first hand presents a tough multi-way situation on the flop where Jon has an overpair and the action goes bet and raise in front of him. If you're a regular Tactical Tuesday listener then you'll probably be able to guess Jon's second hand for the show, yep, more KQ offsuit. Stick around to the end of the episode to find out what Coach Brad thinks about Jon's check/jam with second pair.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

1 Juni 202137min

Today’s guest on CPG has over $12 million in online MTT cashes, sports 35k+ followers on Twitch (And is such a poker legend he had hundreds of viewers on day 1), and is a Natural8 Ambassador the always brilliant Bryan Paris.When you listen to Bryan talk, without knowing his background, you might be fooled. He may seem humble, modest, and easy-going but on the green felt the man is a stone-cold killer.Bryan’s path to poker greatness is very similar to so many other poker legends including Jonathan Little, Michael Acevedo, Justin Bonomo, Scott Seiver, and Isaac Haxton:Through the card game Magic: The Gathering.I don’t know exactly what it is about Magic that seems to produce poker kaiju’s but as someone who has made it his mission to decode the recipe to poker greatness, Magic is way too common of an ingredient to ignore. From Magic to playing in-home games with his high school classmates to battling on the virtual felt, Bryan’s transition to becoming a professional poker player looks pretty seamless from the outside looking in.In today’s episode packed full of Greatness Bombs with Bryan Paris, you’re going to learn:- The concept of antifragility and why it can be your poker superpower.- Whether or not Bryan thinks investing into poker courses and solvers is worth it.- Life lessons from the great teacher that is poker.- And much, MUCH more.And now without any further ado, I bring to you the great Bryan Paris.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 Maj 20211h 1min

On today’s show, we break the thermometer and watch the mercury spill out all over your brand new Crocs (What a waste of mercury) as I am very pleased to welcome back the one and only human in the world who can say they’re my boss, the great Jonathan Little.Strap into your seat because today’s conversation is going to cover playing poker, teaching poker, learning poker, and learning from poker. JL is a powerhouse in the poker community as he has over $7 Million in live MTT cashes, is a 2x WPT champion, is the season 6 WPT player of the year, and works so hard he makes me feel like I’m asleep at the wheel.He posts a weekly blog, has at least two podcasts, publishes multiple YouTube vids per week, and has built his baby, PokerCoaching.com, into one of the most dominant poker training platforms on the market.Oh, and remember the last time we talked to Jonathan, and he told us with a straight face he wouldn't write another book? Me too but it appears the man just can’t help himself as he's wrapped up yet another eventual poker classic, which means the count is now up to 15 best-selling poker strategy books. In today’s conversation with the founder of PokerCoaching.com, you’re going to learn:- How a homeless dude in a junkyard was the catalyst to Jonathan’s poker career.- Adjustments you ought to make when playing against weaker opponents.- How Jonathan manages to continue to find stuff to write about.- And much, much more!Before you dive into this episode with Dara, I wanted to take a moment to let you know about my latest mini-course: Neutralize River Leads.NRL is powered by Mass Data Analysis, which means the strategies were built based on what folks are ACTUALLY doing instead of what folks theoretically SHOULD do.Neutralize River Leads is a “pay what you wish” mini-course so that you can experience the power of MDA at absolutely no upfront cost.You can grab your copy at https://chasingpokergreatness.com/NRL by joining the daily newsletter.Without further ado, l bring to you cardplayer, entrepreneur, 15 times author, and fan-favorite Jonathan Little! 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

26 Maj 20211h 35min