Chasing Poker Greatness

My guest today is, indisputably, one of the greatest players to ever sit down at a poker table. He came onto the scene like a hurricane and swept away anyone and everyone in his path to being the number one ranked poker player in the worldAnd then, equally as abruptly, decided to call it a day and retire. All before the age of 26.Today I am joined by Fedor Holz.Fedor, originally from Germany, has absolutely dominated both live and online poker tournaments during his career. He’s earned more than $40 million, taking down several multi-million dollar cashes along the way. He has a WSOP bracelet and his WSOP circuit results as listed on WSOP.com show him with 12 cashes totalling just over $11.9 million. Among those are:A 1st place finish in the High-Roller for One Drop, $111,111 buy-in, for $4.9m + his braceletA 2nd place finish in The Big One for One Drop, $1m buy-in, for $6mHe’s ranked as #1 on the all-time money list for Germany, and 8th in the world. He was ranked as the #1 poker player in the world in 2016 as well as being ranked #1 in the world for online poker in 2014 and 2015.My conversation with Fedor covers what got him into the game, his unique perspectives on poker and life, what it was like to truly achieve poker greatness and reach the top, and finally, his surprising decision to leave the game.He’ll let you in on the importance of physical tells in live poker and what you should be looking for, as well as why you should stop looking for cut and dry solutions and instead strive to build your poker strategy around logic.Oh and you’ll also learn Fedor’s method to super-accelerate your learning and the amazing results he’s achieved simply by connecting talented people to one another.By the time you’ve finished listening to this podcast, you will undoubtedly be inspired to get to work on something you are passionate about, no matter what that might be.Thank you very much once again for listening and now...This is Chasing Poker Greatness featuring Fedor Holz.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

14 Jan 20201h 16min

My guest today has had a tremendous influence on the game of poker both online and off through his perspectives on game strategy, coaching techniques, mental health, and more. My conversation today is with pro poker player, coach, and author, Tommy Angelo.Tommy has been playing poker professionally since the mid 80’s, preferring to play almost exclusively in live cash games. Having already accrued more than a decade of pro poker experience when most people were just beginning to discover and play the game, he quickly found himself with a successful coaching career as the popularity of poker began to grow and online games exploded.Still one of the most popular books among serious poker players, Tommy’s first book, Elements of Poker, was released in December of 2007. Since then he’s written four more books on poker and one on the topic of meditation — something he has practiced daily without missing a day for more than 15 years.Tommy has also either written or regularly writes for many popular poker publications including Poker Digest, PokerPages.com, Bluff Magazine, and PokerNews as well as being a regular poster on the 2+2 poker forums — where, by the way, he inadvertently became the creator of the name “the hijack” for the seat at the table just before the button and cutoff.He has coached some of the most well-known professional players in poker over the years and is highly regarded among them for his unique way of looking at the game and his invaluable advice about how to deal with the tough mental aspects of playing cards for a living.During our talk, you’ll hear countless bits of wisdom that will undoubtedly help guide you on your path to poker greatness.Thanks again for listening. And now...Mister Tommy Angelo 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

10 Jan 20201h 28min

Today’s guest is Canadian online tournament specialist and prolific Twitch streamer (And Big Brother Canada participant), Arlie Shaban.For Arlie, poker and streaming are inseparable. He’s made a name for himself not just because of his poker ability, but also because of his relentless pursuit to be one of the biggest and best poker streamers on Twitch. Without a doubt he is one of the hardest working human beings in the game today.In a tale as old as time Arlie quit his job, decided to play poker for a living and began his streaming career 15 days later. To prove himself to his peers and his audience, he set out to do something nobody else had done. He logged 1000 hours of broadcast time by streaming for more than 120 consecutive days. His personal record is a single streaming session lasting more than 40 straight hours.No other poker streamer on Twitch has put in as many live hours online as Arlie since the day he started streaming.Because of his poker prowess and streaming persistence, he has amassed more than 30,000 followers on Twitch and is now a member of PokerStars Team Pro Online as well as a RunItUp Ambassador. You’ll find Arlie on Twitch regularly, of course, streaming MTT sessions on PokerSTars, of course. During our conversation today, Arlie shares his views on what can be accomplished with hard work and good planning. He is, himself, a perfect living example of exactly what can happen. You’ll hear why he wanted to play poker in the first place, the risks he took to try to become a professional player, and the immense amount of work and sacrifice that got him to where he is now.Arlie is a shining example of how a “regular guy” can achieve a dream and make it as a professional poker player even if they don’t have a massive bankroll, didn’t start in the early 2000’s, or have the luxury of being able to study all day long.If you’ve got the desire and the drive, Arlie just might have the advice that’ll light that fire in you and set you on a new path…Thanks again for listening. This is Chasing Poker Greatness with Arlie Shaban.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 Jan 20201h 31min

My conversation today is with tournament wizard and WSOP bracelet winner Ryan LaPlante. Ryan is GTO expert who battles in the live and online streets of no limit hold ‘em and PLO.On the WSOP circuit alone, he’s recorded 69 in-the-money finishes and collected winnings worth more than $1.2 million. His most recent cash was at the Poker Masters tournament where he took first place and the first prize of $186,000. All together, he’s amassed more than $2.4 million in winnings at live tournaments.He has been a content creator and coach on several of the most reputable poker coaching sites on the Internet and has now launched his own at learnpropoker.com, where he shares the very same strategies and techniques that he has been using to crush the games and generate massive profits.During our conversation, Ryan reveals a unique perspective on poker that moves back and forth between strong technical strategy and deep philosophical lessons to be learned. He’ll give you his recipe for winning the game, and winning at life. He also explains how his passion for the game has grown into a passion for helping and teaching others who want to learn and succeed in the world of poker.As a coach, teacher, player, and human being Ryan is a blessing and massive boon to the poker world.If you’re a tournament player chasing poker greatness, you’ll have a hard time finding a better example to follow on the felt than Ryan.Once again, thank you for joining me. And now, Chasing Poker Greatness featuring Mr Ryan LaPlante...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

3 Jan 20201h 43min

Matt is the Executive Tour Director for the World Poker Tour (WPT) and holds the record for officiating over the most episodes of televised poker, with more than 400 under his belt. He has overseen some of the biggest tournaments that poker has to offer, including the World Series Of Poker from 2002 to 2004, and too many WPTs to count.He also currently serves as tournament director for several well-known casinos and card rooms including my old stomping grounds the Commerce Casino, Bay 101, and Thunder Valley.He has worked with many television networks including:Fox NewsFSNTravel ChannelNBCESPN He is a co-founder of the Tournament Directors Association, was an inaugural inductee into the Poker Room Manager's Hall of Fame in 2003, and has been nominated five times for the Poker Hall of Fame.Matt has a unique perspective on the game, with direct access to players and behind-the-scenes events that even journalists don’t usually see. During our conversation you’ll hear stories about Chip Reese, Doyle Brunson, running the WSOP in the old days (Which includes running out of chips and not having enough space to accommodate an unexpectedly massive field), and even how Matt almost accidentally squashed the Moneymaker boom before it ever began.He’ll also explain why he very much regrets introducing the concept of re-entries to tournament poker.Matt is a true poker innovator, pioneer, and genuine asset to this game we all hold so near and dear to our hearts.It isn’t hyperbole when I say that wherever poker tournaments are spread worldwide, if you look close enough, you’ll be able to spot Matt’s fingerprints on the structure and design.So without any further ado, I bring to you one of the most influential human beans in the history of poker … this is Matt Savage 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

20 Dec 20191h 27min

Today I’m going to be speaking with GPA Poker Journalist of the Year, interviewer, deep thinker, storyteller, and all-around amazing human being, Sarah Herring.Sarah has been writing for PokerNews since 2011 and is one of the most visible editor/writers to appear in the publication. She has interviewed pretty much every single elite poker player on the planet, has a ridiculously long list of published articles, and is also the co-host for the PokerNews podcast.Sarah and I’s conversation is wide ranging and takes us through her life in Hollywood and film, a stint in the clink (True Story), and dives into how life’s setbacks often lead us down unforeseen paths where we discover the real treasures of the human experience (Love, friendships, and adventure).We also cover Sarah’s poker origin story that involves a giant pair of brass knuckles and her then-boyfriend, now husband, MMA fighter Heath “Crazy Horse” Herring.Sarah is such a delight and warm human being that just through hearing her stories, honesty, and outlook on life, you leave the conversation feeling happy and energized.As our conversation unfolds she’ll talk about what it’s like being in constant contact with some of poker’s elite high-rollers, her impressions of the overall professional player pool, and how, despite our canyon like differences in beliefs, all human beings are more similar than you might think.My conversation with Sarah was one of the most fun and enjoyable ones that I have ever had and so, without any further ado, I present to you Global Poker Awards Journalist of the Year Sarah Herring.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 Dec 20191h 16min

At only 28 years old, Matt Vaughan has been playing poker for more than 10 years.He started off like many players, at the microstakes online and as he moved up stakes he realized he could support himself playing poker and quit his 9 to 5 job at a medical software company.Not long after, he created his vlog on YouTube and, close to 15 thousand subscribers later, the rest is history. Starting off with a off-beat video about a cat, his channel has grown into a wealth of poker information mostly through his in-depth hand analysis.While Matt isn’t 100% a professional poker player, in his own words he “plays poker about as much as one can play it without actually being a full-time professional player”. He’s had success in both the live and online poker arenas in both cash and tournament formats. Like yours truly, he spends considerably more of his time in cash games, but has still racked up more than $215,000 in winnings over the last few years.He also does strategy and coaching work through the poker training site School of Cards and can be found on a semi-regular schedule streaming his play through Twitch.During our conversation, Matt will share some awesome insights on vlogging and YouTube that will prove extremely valuable if you have any interest in following that path. He also reveals his thoughts on the emotional and mental ups and downs that come with playing poker, the key points he uses to build strategies for both general and specific player pools, and, of course, the events that have had the greatest impact on his journey as he chases poker greatness.So without any further ado, I present to you Matt Vaughan 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

13 Dec 20191h 21min

Today I’m going to be speaking with someone who just might be the happiest and most optimistic guest I’ve had the pleasure of speaking with on the show so far, Mr. Sky Matsuhashi.For many of you, Sky probably needs no introduction. Although he doesn’t classify himself as a professional poker player, Sky has been involved with the game in one way or another for about the last 16 years as a player, coach, author, and prolific content creator.Sky’s career in the world of poker began when he decided to put up a blog called SmartPokerStudy.com. Over the last few years, that blog has grown from a small outlet for his thoughts into the thriving centerpiece of a small empire built on teaching others the art of how to truly study poker and improve their own game.Sky regularly produces the SmartPokerStudy podcast which now boasts more than 260 episodes. He’s given countless webinars and has put together stand-alone courses designed to help micro and small stakes players take their game to the next level. He’s also developed “5 minute poker study”, a program designed to give you real training and results in quick, digestible, 5 minute bites.He runs https://www.thepokerforge.com/, an ongoing coaching program that is in a constant state of growth and development as Sky works tirelessly to ensure his students are always getting 100% of the value he’s capable of producing.Sky is also the author of How To Study Poker: Volumes 1 & 2 as well as Preflop Online Poker.If you’ve ever found yourself trying to -quote-unquote- “study” a poker concept only to find that you didn’t really absorb much of it when you returned to the tables, Sky’s the man you want to talk to. During our conversation, he reveals some brilliant insights into how he looks at the game, what should be going on in your minds on and off the felt as you play, and how to create the habits that will ultimately lead you to more success.Before we get started, let me also tip you off that you should pay particular attention during this episode. Not only did Sky provide some great information during our talk, but he also created a special video treat exclusively for Chasing Poker Greatness listeners.Thank you once again for listening and without any further ado, this is Chasing Poker Greatness featuring Sky Matsuhashi.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 Dec 20191h 30min