This week on the Ante Up Poker Podcast, Joe and Elle discuss Kristen Foxen capturing her sixth WSOP bracelet and whether it’s finally time to stop labeling her as the best female player and recognize her as one of the best tournament players in poker. They also look at Mike Holtz’s second bracelet, a bizarre WSOP hand where an accidental verbal call turned J-3 into a tournament-saving straight, and the latest promotions from Bluffers, including a chance to win a WSOP Main Event package starting ...
Jun 13, 2026•1 hr 15 min
This week on the Ante Up Poker Podcast, we kick things off on Table Talk by recapping another fun Patreon game. Patrick finally broke through for his first victory, collected the double prize pool, and now we all have to suffer through at least a month of victory laps. We also discuss some of the dealer mistakes that have made headlines early at the WSOP, the challenges dealers face during long series, Maria Ho’s exciting family news, and even the earthquake that rattled Las Vegas and surroundin...
Jun 06, 2026•1 hr 1 min
The WSOP is underway, but based on the headlines, maybe it should be called the World Series of Babies. This week on the Ante Up Poker Podcast, Joe and Elle dive into the latest WSOP stories, including Daniel Negreanu and Adam Hendrix both preparing for fatherhood, the first bracelet winner of the summer, and what the massive Caesars/Fertitta deal could mean for poker players going forward. In Call the Floor, Elliott Schecter weighs in on a controversial tournament ruling. Can a dealer declare y...
May 30, 2026•1 hr 14 min
This episode of the Ante Up Poker Podcast is packed with debates, drama, and tough decisions from the poker table to real life. Elle and I kick things off in Table Talk with the controversy surrounding the new WSOP patch approval rules and what it means for sponsorships, branding, and player freedom in poker. We also dive into Formula One locking in Las Vegas through 2037 and how Vegas continues evolving from gambling destination into a full-blown sports and entertainment powerhouse. Plus, there...
May 22, 2026•1 hr 8 min
This week, Joe and Elle kick things off around the table talking about the latest from the poker world, including the reopening of The Lodge Card Club, the debate around WSOP dealer ratings and a really interesting new social gaming concept from Daniel Weinman called Showdown Social. They also dive into the incredible community being built over at Bluffers Poker and remind listeners that cabins are almost gone for the Alaskan Poker Cruise. Plus, there’s plenty of “Bet on Better” talk with upcomi...
May 15, 2026•1 hr 18 min
This week on the Ante Up Poker Podcast, Joe and Elle pull up a chair with poker media veteran Eric Morris for an extended Table Talk that goes way beyond the usual headlines. Eric shares stories from the golden era of poker media, Bluff Magazine, how his partnership with Mike Leah came together, and Ante Up/Bluffers satellite path to the Alaska Cruise this August. In Call the Floor, Elliott tackles a messy double-board bomb pot situation Is “Pot” even a legal declaration in no-limit hold’em? For...
May 08, 2026•1 hr 26 min
This week on the Ante Up Poker Podcast, we’ve got a packed show that hits the heart and the hard decisions. Elle and I kick things of on Table Talk by diving into the WSOP rule controversy. Then we shift gears to some good news with all charges against The Lodge were dropped, and highlight the newest issue of Ante Up Magazine. We also lean into the “Bet on Better” movement, spotlighting incredible charity efforts like the Baller Dream event at Circa Resort & Casino and the upcoming Gaming fo...
May 01, 2026•1 hr 26 min
This week on the Ante Up Poker Podcast, Dustin King joins Table Talk with a Rivers recap, and a look ahead to the September Ante Up Poker Tour stop. We highlight poker doing good with Ante Up for Autism and a $105K Camp One Step fundraiser. In Call the Floor, Elliott breaks down a tricky all-in showdown ruling, and in HOTW, we debate whether a three-barrel bluff went too far. Plus, a Patreon Badugi recap, leaderboard shakeups, cruise satellites, and a One Outer that hits home about turning life’...
Apr 24, 2026•52 min
Elle and I kick things off on Table Talk by diving into poker couples, how relationships handle the swings, and what it’s like sharing the felt with your significant other. Then we recap the latest Patreon game, where the action didn’t disappoint and a few familiar names found their way back into the spotlight. On Call the Floor, Elliott breaks down a wild home game situation that had just about everything go wrong. If you’ve ever wondered how messy things can get when the rules aren’t clear (or...
Apr 17, 2026•1 hr 10 min
Elle is back around the table this week for Table Talk, and we’ve got plenty to dive into. We highlight some exciting Bet on Better opportunities, celebrate Stephen Jones continuing his Ante Up Run Good, and take a look at what’s happening at Rivers Casino in Schenectady. In Call the Floor, Elliott tackles a tricky situation where a listener’s hand was ruled dead after being dealt too many cards. Was the ruling correct? Patrick and I jump into a HOTW that starts off looking like a dream scenario...
Apr 10, 2026•51 min
This week on the Ante Up Poker Podcast , we’ve got a packed show with a little bit of everything for the A-Team. We kick things off with an exciting announcement as Ante Up joins forces with Bluffers on ClubGG. Partnering with Eric Morris and Mike Leah to bring even more opportunities to our community. This is one you’re definitely going to want to hear about. To get to the Bluffers Club download ClubGG and create an account. Search for the Club ID 679450 and the referral ID 7188-3183. Once you ...
Apr 03, 2026•1 hr 4 min
This week’s episode of the Ante Up Poker Podcast drops a little later than usual… but for good reason. Elle and I had a lot to unpack, and trust us, it’s worth the wait. We kick things off with some major headlines in the poker world, including the return of the WSOP Main Event to ESPN; A move that brings a wave of nostalgia and could have a big impact on the game’s visibility moving forward. On the flip side, we discuss the sudden and indefinite closure of The Lodge, a story that’s still develo...
Mar 29, 2026•1 hr 18 min
This week Elle and I ran into a little bit of a family emergency. So the episode will be released tomorrow instead of today. We have a lot to cover so we’re looking forward to getting back in there and touching on all the things. Cheers, Joe Scales
Mar 28, 2026•2 min
This week on the Ante Up Poker Podcast, we’re coming to you straight from the felt at Gila River Lone Butte, and the energy is unreal. Elle and I are joined at the table by Brownie, a Lone Butte regular, as we soak in what has been an incredible trip filled with great tournaments, even better people, and a poker room that’s been buzzing from start to finish. We share some of our favorite moments from the stop, talk about what’s made this series so special, and why this place has quickly become a...
Mar 21, 2026•1 hr
On this week’s episode of the Ante Up Poker Podcast, Elle and I are briefly joined by Patrick, our resident fish, before he has to sprint out the door to make his tee time. Once Patrick heads for the golf course, Elle and I dive into a thoughtful conversation about Brad Owen’s recent post that had the poker world talking, discussing the mental side of the game and how downswings can affect even the most successful players. We also get excited about the upcoming trip to Arizona, including the Ant...
Mar 14, 2026•1 hr 9 min
This week on the Ante Up Poker Podcast, Elle and I kick things off with some Table Talk about Robbie Strazynski and his difficult decision to cancel the upcoming Mixed Game Festival. We look at the facts, show our support, and look ahead to the next festival scheduled at Bellagio later this year. We also share the latest updates on the upcoming Ante Up poker cruise, including why now might be the perfect time to lock in your spot. Plus, there’s a new addition to the Ante Up studio that should ma...
Mar 07, 2026•1 hr 7 min
This week on the Ante Up Poker Podcast, we’re celebrating a milestone that belongs to every single member of the A-Team — we hit #1 in the Hobby & Leisure category! This doesn’t happen without the everyday poker players who listen, share, comment, and support what we do. We’ve been knocking on that door for a long time and now the goal is to stay there. In Table Talk, we dive into the noticeable downturn of the L.A. Poker Classic (LAPC) and what it might signal about the Los Angeles tourname...
Feb 28, 2026•1 hr 7 min
Elle and I kick things off with our upcoming poker travels, including our first trip out to Gila River in Arizona for the next Ante Up Poker Tour stop. We’re looking forward to the desert scenery, great action, and connecting with the A-Team in a brand-new spot for us. Then we shift from cactus to glaciers as we dive into the details of our upcoming Alaskan Poker Cruise — because nothing says “standard poker trip” like playing cards with mountains and whales in the background. The 2026 WSOP Summ...
Feb 21, 2026•1 hr 10 min
This week on the Ante Up Poker Podcast, we’ve got a full table and plenty to talk about. On Table Talk, Elle and I welcome Tia Bacon from Gila River to the show as we take a deep dive into the upcoming Ante Up Poker Tour stop at Gila River Lone Butte. We talk about what players can expect, the excitement building around the series, and why this is shaping up to be a can’t-miss event. We also spotlight the incredible work being done through Camp One Step’s charity poker efforts, and how this comm...
Feb 14, 2026•1 hr 20 min
This week on the Ante Up Poker Podcast, Table Talk comes fully loaded as Elle shows up with snacks and football jerseys. From there, we dive into the Patreon Game and kick around some Super Bowl prop bets and talk Octopi Poker. Here is the link to the video I was talking about. On Call the Floor, Elliott rules on a situation where a player’s hand is declared dead after stepping away from the table—always a tricky spot and one that sparks plenty of debate. Patrick and I then break down a wild bar...
Feb 07, 2026•1 hr 17 min
This week on the Ante Up Poker Podcast, Elle and I kick things off with a listener-submitted question that sparks a great table-worthy discussion. We also dive into the Dan Cates boxing match. Here is a link to the video of that. We also touch on Maurice Hawkins capturing his 22nd WSOP Circuit ring. On Call the Floor, Elliott rules on a tricky spot where a player announces “raise” but isn’t allowed their full intended amount. Then Joe and Patrick break down this week’s HOTW, playing pocket tens ...
Jan 31, 2026•1 hr 12 min
This week on the Ante Up Poker Podcast, Elle and I kick things off with a breakdown of the BB ante, a recap of last night’s Patreon game, and one of the best feel-good stories you’ll hear all year—an 88-year-old woman winning $10,000 in her very first poker tournament. Elliott steps in with a situation that goes beyond a standard Call the Floor ruling and dives into the bigger picture of how these spots should be handled. Patrick and I then break down this week’s Hand of the Week featuring pocke...
Jan 23, 2026•1 hr 12 min
Chapter 4, Ep. 1 marks the anniversary of a new era for the Ante Up Poker Podcast as I officially took over hosting duties 4 years ago. This week, Joe and Elle open Table Talk by celebrating the release of the latest issue of Ante Up Magazine, and Joe puts Elle on the spot with a fun quiz. In Call the Floor, Elliott breaks down a controversial ruling and explains why, in some situations, it can be acceptable for the floor to defer a decision until after a hand is completed. Patrick joins Joe for...
Jan 17, 2026•1 hr 7 min
This week on the Ante Up Poker Podcast, Elle and I celebrate some recent achievements of women in poker, talk about the Circa Survivor winners, recap the Patreon Game, and discuss why the Sweepstakes Poker model may be in hot water. Elliott takes the reins in Call the Floor, ruling on a hand turned up way too early — and he is upset he didn’t called. Patrick joins me to break down a HOTW featuring pocket Jacks and a table full of limpers. I wrap it up with Joe’s One Outer, focusing on the power ...
Jan 10, 2026•1 hr 11 min
I know technically last week was Ep. 49 1/2, so we should be at Ep. 50 — but in order to keep things on track with when we actually started putting the podcast out, I made this week’s episode Ep. 51. We’re kicking off the new year with a brand-new intro for the show! You’ll hear a version of it here, and if you want to check out the full intro, head over to our Patreon page. Elle and I are around the table for Table Talk, breaking down some of the poker action kicking off the new year and discus...
Jan 02, 2026•59 min
This week on the Ante Up Poker Podcast, we’re doing something a little different. Instead of a full episode, we’re taking a well-timed step away from the table to recharge, reflect, and practice what we’re always preaching. On the show — especially in my One Outer — we talk a lot about the importance of balance, taking breaks, and enjoying life away from poker. This week, we’re finally taking our own advice. With the holidays here, we’re spending time with family, enjoying Christmas, and coming ...
Dec 27, 2025•3 min
This week on the Ante Up Poker Podcast, we’ve got a full deck of conversations, strategy, and a little crossover fun. On Table Talk, Elle and I dive into the idea of multi-tabling and firing multiple bullets, plus break down some interesting Spotify stats that caught our attention. In Call the Floor, Elliott weighs in on a tricky situation involving a player who discloses the contents of their hand—what’s allowed, what’s not, and how it should be handled. This week’s HOTW puts Patrick and I in p...
Dec 19, 2025•1 hr 4 min
This week on the Ante Up Poker Podcast, Joe and Elle welcome Michelle McGinn and Molly Brentlinger to the table: . We share laughs and insights, and then shift to a feel-good WPT moment where what could’ve been a disappointment turns into an unexpected $1,100 seat to the WPT Prime Championship. In Call the Floor, Elliott weighs in on a tricky spot involving a player whose hand is declared dead after exposing a card — and as always, his ruling sparks great discussion. Then it’s time for HOTW, whe...
Dec 12, 2025•1 hr 4 min
Dustin King from Rivers Casino & Resort in Schenectady, NY pulls up a chair with Elle and I for a packed Table Talk segment! We dive into everything happening at Rivers, the latest buzz out of NYC, and even wander into the world of AI and how it might shape the game. In Call the Floor, Elliott weighs in on a wild moment when a player gets a little too excited—sending a card flying off the table. Was it a fold? Or just an accidental fastball from excitement? Patrick and I tackle another HOTW,...
Dec 05, 2025•1 hr 10 min
This week on the Ante Up Poker Podcast, Elle and I kick things off with a recap of the comedy show we caught and dive into holiday festivities before looking ahead at the poker action on the horizon. In Call the Floor, Elliott breaks down a confusing situation at the table — did the player call or fold? Patrick joins me for this week’s HOTW featuring pocket 9’s, and I close things out with a One Outer about what I’m thankful for this year. Click here to check out Octopi Poker Click here for our ...
Nov 29, 2025•1 hr 13 min
