#40 Philosophical Friday: Poker Addiction or Obsession?

Today’s guest on the Chasing Poker Greatness podcast is longtime poker professional Shane Schleger.Shane has racked up $1.4 million in tracked live MTT cashes throughout his poker career.Shane’s life as a poker professional has had its fair share of ups and downs (Basically like pretty much every other poker player's life I know) and he has written extensively about his past battles with addiction.And even though we don’t cover that chapter of his life in our conversation, I just wanna state for the record that it takes a mountain of courage to show that kind of vulnerability and put yourself out there like that publicly.For that Shane gets my utmost respect and has a loyal fan for life.And before you dive into Shane and I’s conversation, I do want to add a minor disclaimer:There was a 5 to 10 second lag during our call that persisted no matter what we tried. So the times where we’re seemingly speaking over or interrupting each other were not because we are really bad at talking but instead because we were out of sync.In today’s episode of Chasing Poker Greatness, you’re going to learn:Why Shane believes poker is best pursued as a hobby instead of a career.Why MTT’s have always resonated with Shane more than cash games.The devastating story about the time Shane became a PokerStars pro.And much, MUCH more!So without any further ado, I bring to you Shane “Shaniac” Schleger.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 Mars 20211h 23min

Today’s guest on the Chasing Poker Greatness podcast is a high stakes mixed-game legend who basically needs no introduction, Eli Elezra.But just because the man doesn’t NEED an introduction doesn’t mean he isn’t gonna get one anyway.Eli has led quite the life on and off the felt, and he’s about to take you way back to the very beginning of his poker career. Starting with his time in the Israeli Army and then traveling through working in a cannery and driving a taxi in a small Alaskan town.After terrorizing the citizens of said tiny Alaskan town at the poker tables, Eli decided to test his mettle and see what the card players in Vegas were all about. As it turns out, those Las Vegas regulars like Doyle Brunson, Chip Reese, and Stuey Ungar were pretty decent at playing cards and Eli’s early trips didn’t go so well.Never one to be easily deterred, the poker bug had sunk its sharp little teeth into Eli and wasn’t letting go.Despite doing very well for himself financially in his time in Alaska, Eli got a surprising phone call and offer from his brother that forever changed his life.In today’s conversation with Eli Elezra, you’re going to learn:The story behind Eli’s biggest winning and losing sessions (Both are north of 7 figures).What it was really like playing with legends Stu Ungar and Chip Reese.The origin story of legendary poker tv show High Stakes Poker.And much, MUCH more!So without any further ado, I bring to you the fearless and singular Eli Elezra.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 Mars 20211h 37min

In today's episode of Tactical Tuesday, Jon asks Coach Brad some of his favorite Chasing Poker Greatness questions, including:- Who was the biggest influence in you becoming a poker professional?- What are the stories behind your least favorite & most favorite poker sessions?Coach Brad takes a trip down memory lane that covers missed flights, walking 6 miles to the post office in the dead of winter (uphill both ways), losing most of his money on Earth because of a real estate deal gone awry, and trying to put his cape on and make a hero call on the river with third pair with his case money.Enjoy the show and don't forget to rate & subscribe.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

23 Mars 202137min

Today’s guest on the Chasing Poker Greatness podcast is the founder of Faded Spade & Above the Felt Entertainment Tom Wheaton.Tom and I both entered the poker world at about the same time which means Tom has been a cardplayer for a very, very long time.When we got into poker current poker supernova Landon Tice was barely 4-years-old. If that doesn’t make me feel old then I guess nothing will - yeesh.But even though Tom entered poker in 2004, he took a very different career path than your average everyday grinder which you’re about to hear all about.He even almost dropped out of the poker world entirely because, you know, who’s got time for a hobby like poker when you have a full career and growing family?But the poker gods were not finished with Tom just yet…In today’s conversation, you’re going to learn:The amazing story of how Tom lucked his way into getting connected with WPT executives.How FadedSpade managed to disrupt the playing card industry.Why Tom’s wife was a catalyst in his ultimate decision to Chase Poker Greatness…And much, MUCH more!Without any further ado, I bring to you the founder of Faded Spade (The OFFICIAL playing card of the World Poker Tour) & Above the Felt entertainment which already represents some of the biggest and brightest names in the poker world, the one and only Tom Wheaton.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

19 Mars 20211h 21min

Today’s guest on the Chasing Poker Greatness podcast is split pot specialist, author, and poker coach Greg Vail.Greg’s back for a Round 2 because I got so distracted by our amazing first conversation that I forgot to ask him any of the regular CPG questions you’ve come to love and expect like:What is Greg’s regular process for improving his own game? What does Greg think is the most high impact action you can take to improve your game?And breaking down some common poker advice that Greg disagrees with.And if you’re sitting there wondering whether or not I let my curiosity overtake me once again when speaking with Greg, wonder no more:You know it did, I just can’t help myself .In today’s conversation, you’re going to learn:Why flatting a four-bet with pocket kings does NOT mean jamming wasn’t a profitable option.Greg and I’s thoughts on why folks who are at the top of their field sometimes fail to bridge the gap to poker success.The surprising benefit to being wrong all the time.And much, MUCH more!So without any further ado, I bring to you the brilliant and entertaining Author of SCOOP Greg Vail.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 Mars 20211h 24min

Coach Brad and Jon return for another round of hand breakdowns on this week's Tactical Tuesday.In this episode you'll hear about two hands Jon played recently at $5/$10 6-max cash. Both hands involve tricky monotone flops and both hands result in maximum pain for one of the players involved. Will Jon be the one dishing it out or will he be the one left with nothing but virtual felt in front of him? Find out on today's episode!Hand 1Hero Hand: AsKsHero Position:UTGEffective Stack:103 BBAction:PREFLOP: Hero raises to 2.5 BB, BB Calls 1.5 BBFLOP (5.5 BB): Kh Th 6hBB checks, Hero checksTURN (5.5 BB): Kh Th 6h AhBB bets 8 BB, Hero raises 20 BB, BB calls 20 BBRIVER (45.5 BB): Kh Th 6h Ah KdBB bets 164.95 BB and is all-in, Hero calls 81.24 BB and is all-in.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Hand 2Hero Hand: AhQhHero Position:SBEffective Stack:116 BBAction:PREFLOP: UTG calls 1 BB, BT raises to 3.5 BB, Hero raises to 15 BB, UTG folds, BT raises to 33.5 BB, Hero calls 18.5 BBFLOP (69 BB): As Ks 3sHero checks, BT bets 15.2 BB, Hero calls 15.2 BBTURN (99.4 BB): As Ks 3s JsHero checks, BT bets 13.2 BB, Hero calls 13.2 BBRIVER (125.8 BB): As Ks 3s Js 9dHero checks, BT bets 53.98 BB and is all-in, Hero calls 52.98 BBNew 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

16 Mars 202139min

Today’s guest on the Chasing Poker Greatness podcast is the brilliant Greatness Bomb dropping Ana Marquez.Ana’s an online MTT soul crushing cyborg, former #1 ranked poker player in Spain, and has amassed $1.8 Million in lifetime live MTT cashes.This CPG episode is especially meaningful to me because it’s a reminder of why I’m going to do my best to continue making these shows forever.When I started out my own poker journey in 2004 it was because the prospect of being a professional poker player was the first time in my entire life I had been excited about a career path.It was a shot to my spirit after being asked a bazillion times growing up what I wanted to do with my life and drawing blanks because, frankly, nothing ever excited me.But back in 2004 the world was not nearly as small as it is today. If being a professional poker player is an obscure professional today, try to imagine how it was 17 years ago. Stumbling across similar folks with a turbo-charged passion for playing poker at a high level was something that happened every once in a while but all-in-all was a pretty rare thing.But because of CPG I get to connect with similar spirits who light me up like a Wheel of Fortune slot machine on a regular basis like Matt Berkey, Jason Su, Kristen Bicknell, Nick Howard, Mark Herm, and today’s very special guest Ana Marquez.These are my people and, man, it’s a beautiful thing indeed to connect with your tribe.In today’s lights-out conversation with Ana, you’re going to learn:Why Ana had zero doubts about her future poker success from the jump.The story of Ana losing $500 by staking a friend before she even played a hand of cards.Why she wrote her bachelor’s thesis on the History of Poker after the first WSOP.And much, MUCH more!So, without any further ado, I bring to you the Spanish poker Supernova Ana Marquez.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

12 Mars 20211h 31min

Today’s guest on the Chasing Poker Greatness podcast is the founder of Solve For Why, nose bleed cash game legend, and one of the best souls in the entire poker world Matt Berkey.In case you aren’t up to date on your CPG history, Berkey was guest #1 back way back when CPG launched in late 2019.Since our first conversation I’ve learned Berkey is one of the most honest, generous, and genuine human beings I’ve ever had the pleasure of getting to know and I feel very blessed to call him my friend.And before you hop into the show, I would like to add an update:When Berkey and I recorded this episode Solve For Why had been at $9.99/month (Down from pre-pandemic $149.99/month) but, starting on April 1st, the cost of a subscription will be going up to $49.99/month.That’s still a 66% discount from where it was a year ago and one of the very best values in the poker world.With that out of the way, in today’s show Berkey’s just about to take a trip in the way back machine and tell you stories about…- His biggest influence in pursuing poker.- The time he made a huge hero call in a home game with a bunch of colorful characters (Including a hitman) that lead to him getting frozen out of the game.- The powerful life lesson he learned from his less-than-spectacular college baseball coach.You’ll also learn:- The power and responsibility poker coaches have when giving feedback to their students.- Why Berkey and I think progress in poker software and training has forced us out of our poker adolescence.- What Berkey sees as the next step in the solver evolution.- And much, MUCH more!So without any further ado, I bring to you the founder of Solve For Why … the one and only Matt Berkey.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

10 Mars 20211h 47min