In Episode 70 of the Mechanics of Poker Podcast, we sit down with Andy “Bowie” Wilson to break down one of the toughest realities in poker, surviving massive downswings. Most players think the game is about talent. Andy disagrees. He believes the real edge comes from the willingness to get destroyed over and over again, and still show up the next day. From his early days to battling through a 1,000 buy-in downswing, Andy shares the psychological and financial pressure of high-stakes MTTs, and th...
Apr 21, 2026•2 hr 25 min
Nickolas Schuler is part of a new generation of high-stakes poker players who have risen quickly through the online ranks, building a career in one of the most competitive and psychologically demanding environments in modern games. At just 25 years old and only a few years into his professional career, his path has already included rapid success, brutal downswings, bankroll setbacks, and the kind of high-pressure decisions that define whether a player survives in high stakes or disappears....
Apr 07, 2026•2 hr 20 min
In Episode 68 of the podcast, we sit down with Raúl Mestre, a pioneer of poker coaching and founder of EducaPoker, the platform that helped shape an entire generation of elite Spanish poker players. Over the past two decades, Mestre has played a central role in building one of the strongest poker ecosystems in the world. In this deep conversation, we explore how Spain quietly became one of the most dominant forces in modern poker and what it actually takes to develop world-class players. Mestre ...
Mar 20, 2026•2 hr 22 min
In episode 68 of the podcast, we sit down with high-stakes tournament pro Sam Greenwood, creator of the popular Substack "Punt of the Day" where he publicly dissects his biggest mistakes. In this deep 3-hour conversation, we explore the evolution of poker strategy, the mental game of high-stakes competition, and the challenge of building a sustainable life around professional poker. We chat about why documenting mistakes is more valuable than celebrating wins, how the solver revolution transform...
Feb 24, 2026•3 hr 4 min
In episode 66 of the MOPP we are joined by high-stakes online cash-game player Sergio, better known as Donk Orleone. In this episode we break down why modern poker players are over-complicating the game, hiding behind solvers, and losing touch with intuition, experience, and performance fundamentals. We chat about why poker is hard, but not complex in the way most players think, how solver obsession creates fear, ego, and bad decision-making, the real difference between theory and performance, w...
Feb 05, 2026•3 hr 23 min•Season 1Ep. 66
In episode 65 of the MOPP we chat with high-stakes MTT player Seth Davies to break down what it really takes to survive and thrive at the highest levels of poker. We talk about resilience, composure under pressure, winners tilt, physical training, solvers, lifestyle, and the hidden skills required to move from mid-stakes to high-stakes poker. Seth shares how his sports background shaped his mindset, why self-awareness matters more than most players think, and how elite players adapt in today’s h...
Feb 05, 2026•2 hr 25 min•Season 1Ep. 65
In episode 64 of the MOPP, we chat with freshly crowned cash-game world champ Pedro "Biluzin" Toledo about his rise up the stakes and his epic performance that took down the championship
Dec 18, 2025•2 hr 27 min•Season 1Ep. 64
In episode 61 of the MOPP we chat with high-stakes MTT player Justin Saliba. Justin breaks down what it truly takes to perform at the highest levels of poker. We talk about “war mode,” the mental state he uses to lock in quickly, manage emotions, and stay sharp under pressure—especially in deep runs and seven-figure spots. Justin shares how fatigue exposes your natural tendencies, why recovery and structure matter, and how he balances technical study with peak performance.
Dec 11, 2025•3 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 63
In this third part of the The CGWC special, our 5 competitors dive deep into strategy, study habits, and what it really takes to improve at the highest levels. We cover breakthrough moments, the best and worst advice, common mistakes, evolving routines, and how to fix leaks effectively. You’ll also hear insights on misconceptions about professionals, balancing simple vs complex strategies, intuition vs data, and whether RNG truly matters.
Sep 08, 2025•1 hr 17 min•Season 1Ep. 62
In this second part of the The CGWC special, we continue chatting with five of the top competitors from the challenge. We cover the road that got them here. From the lowest points in poker to the confidence, motivation, and skills it takes to go compete in the cash-game world championship, this episode covers it all. We talk early challenges, big downswings, risk-taking, tournament vs. cash game dynamics, and how goals and fulfillment evolve over time. Packed with insights any aspiring or season...
Sep 08, 2025•1 hr 15 min•Season 1Ep. 61
In this special edition of The Mechanics of Poker Podcast, we sat down with five of the top competitors from the Cash-Game World Championship Mid-Stakes edition. Together we dive into the preparation, pressure, and mindset needed to battle through one of the toughest online arenas. From adapting to new formats, handling mistakes, and staying sharp in a reg-heavy field — to the routines, surprises, and lessons learned along the way — this episode gives you a behind-the-scenes look at what it real...
Aug 29, 2025•1 hr 53 min•Season 1Ep. 60
In episode 59 of the MOPP we sit down with live high-stakes NLH cash-game player Vlastimil Pustina for an honest, wide-ranging conversation about the emotional and mental evolution required to thrive in high-stakes poker. Vlastimil opens up about his transformation from a carefree, party-fueled lifestyle to one grounded in self-awareness, intentional routines, and inner work. We explore how poker can act as a mirror for self-discovery, uncovering the roles of fear, perfectionism, and overstimula...
Jul 30, 2025•3 hr 18 min•Season 1Ep. 59
In episode 58 we meet the man behind the dog avatar, high-stakes cash-game player Wouter "MMAsherdog" Beumers. Wouter shares his journey from crushing low stakes to navigating the complexities of high-stakes poker, revealing how understanding human behavior—rather than blindly following solver outputs—is the real key to success. We explore the balance between exploitative play and GTO, the importance of building creative strategies that boost EV, and how smart bankroll growth requires financial ...
Jul 07, 2025•3 hr 21 min•Season 1Ep. 58
In episode 57 we chat with long-time MTT player Anton Wigg. Anton shares how his Waldorf education shaped his poker approach through systems thinking and first principles. He discusses using AI for learning, knowledge retention, and the future of poker with technology. We explore the links between fear, attention, purpose, and ethics in tech, emphasizing curiosity, communication, and emotional awareness. We discuss poker as both competition and entertainment, the importance of understanding peop...
Jul 07, 2025•3 hr 58 min•Season 1Ep. 57
In episode 56 we chat with High-Stakes Mixed-Game specialist Benny Glaser. Benny opens up about his poker journey—from his early competitive drive to becoming one of the most accomplished mixed games players in the world. We dive deep into the mental game, the transition from online to live poker, strategic breakthroughs, and what it really takes to thrive in high-pressure environments like final tables and grinding series. Benny also explores the psychology of poker with insights from Adam Carm...
Jul 07, 2025•3 hr 21 min•Season 1Ep. 56
In episode 55 we chat with High-Stakes Cash-Game player and Entrepreneur Nick Howard. We explore the evolution of poker and what it takes to build a sustainable, player-focused ecosystem. They reflect on the shift from technical strategy to placement, mindset, and behavioral awareness, highlighting the traits that separate high-performing players from those who stay stuck. The discussion covers how access to private games and strong networks has become more valuable than traditional content, and...
Jul 07, 2025•3 hr 17 min•Season 1Ep. 55
In episode 54 we chat with High-Stakes MTT play Thomas Boivin. Thomas shares how his engineering background shapes his analytical approach to poker, balancing solvers, ICM, and intuition. He and Rene dive into the complexities of MTTs, the importance of simplifying strategies, and the different dynamics of playing as an aggressor or defender. They also explore emotional regulation, documenting knowledge, and overcoming fear at the tables. Together with Adam, they discuss career setbacks, persona...
May 02, 2025•2 hr 34 min•Season 1Ep. 54
In episode 53, we sit down with high-stakes poker pro, content creator, and entrepreneur Elias “ZerosPoker” to explore his evolution from dominating online cash games to building a thriving brand through YouTube and his poker school. Elias opens up about his journey, the challenges of juggling multiple roles, and how he's learned to structure his life for long-term success. We dive into how he balances poker with content creation, the systems he uses to stay efficient, and his philosophy on grow...
May 02, 2025•3 hr 35 min•Season 1Ep. 53
In episode 52 of the podcast, Casimir Seire shares his incredible journey from aspiring footballer to professional poker player. He opens up about the mental resilience gained from his time in the military, the thrill of tournament play, and how he balances ambition, preparation, and emotional control in poker. We dive into the challenges of variance, the importance of structure in poker and life, and how to navigate the emotional rollercoaster of high-stakes games. Casimir also discusses risk m...
Apr 08, 2025•3 hr 15 min•Season 1Ep. 52
In episode 51 of the MOPP we chat with american high-stakes cash-game player Armin "AbsoluteTopUp" Amini. We dive deep into his journey, mindset, and experiences at the World Cash Game Championships. We discuss the highs and lows of battling the best, dealing with massive swings, and the lessons he’s learned along the way. Armin shares how he transitioned from gaming to poker, refined his study process, and developed the mental resilience needed to compete at the top. We also explore key poker c...
Apr 08, 2025•2 hr 40 min•Season 1Ep. 51
In episode 50 of the MOPP we are chatting with one of the biggest winners in online poker, high-stakes PLO cash-game player Grazvydas Kontautas. Grazvydas shares his journey from starting poker young to becoming a pro, discussing mindset, game selection, and self-criticism in his growth. He explores the balance between poker and personal life, risk management, and insights from game theory. The conversation covers transitioning from No Limit Hold'em to PLO, common mistakes, strategy creation, an...
Apr 08, 2025•3 hr 11 min•Season 1Ep. 50
In episode 49 of the MOPP, we invited recently crowned cash-game champion Owen "PR0DIGY" on to make his second appearance on the channel. Owen shares what he has been up to since we last spoke reflects on his recent cash-game world championship win over at coinpoker. We will chat about the thrill of competition, mental challenges, and the balance between technical skill and psychological resilience. He shares insights on adapting to opponents, game plans, and balancing instinct with strategy. Th...
Feb 18, 2025•2 hr 25 min•Season 1Ep. 49
In episode 48 of the MOPP, we dive deep into the poker journey of Belgium high-stakes MTT player, Pieter Aerts, a seasoned pro with 16+ years of experience. From starting out on his dad's account as a teenager to mastering the transition between different poker formats, Pieter shares how he overcame early struggles, dealt with tough competition, and climbed the ranks to success. We explore critical topics like bankroll management, overcoming downswings, leveraging GTO tools, and balancing poker ...
Jan 25, 2025•3 hr 23 min•Season 1Ep. 48
In episode 46 of The Mechanics of Poker podcast Marc Goone will reveal the to mastering live poker as he shares his journey from musician to high-stakes player and coach. We dive into the mindset shifts, strategies, and common pitfalls that separate the top 1% from the rest. Learn how to build confidence in your exploitative strategy, dissolve your ego, and set realistic goals for success. Whether you're transitioning between live and online poker or aiming to refine your skills, this conversati...
Jan 25, 2025•3 hr 31 min•Season 1Ep. 46
In episode 45 of The Mechanics of Poker podcast, we dive into the fascinating journey of Yolan, a world record holder in memory turned high-stakes poker player. Learn about the techniques he used to master memory, his insights into effective learning, and the strategies that helped him transition into poker. Yolan shares his approach to balancing life and poker, building resilience, and overcoming burnout. Discover the lessons he’s learned from mistakes, his thoughts on decision-making, and the ...
Jan 25, 2025•3 hr 17 min•Season 1Ep. 45
In episode 44 of the Mechanics of Poker podcast we have a chat with high-stakes cash-game player Samu Alto, a veteran who has thrived at the tables for over 15 years. Samu shares insights into the evolution of poker strategies, the impact of solvers, and the skills and habits that have fueled his longevity in a highly competitive field. We discuss his early career, the challenges of adapting to new metas, and the delicate balance between theory and exploitative play. Samu also opens up about his...
Nov 12, 2024•2 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 44
In episode 42 of the Mechanics of Poker podcast we dive deep into the journey of high-stakes cash-game player Mateo "schyllae" Urretavizcaya, exploring his early beginnings in poker during the pandemic and how his background in engineering helped shape his learning process. We discuss his competitive nature, transitioning from semi-professional basketball to poker, and the challenges he faced, including busting his bankroll twice and dealing with his worst downswing. Mateo shares insights on ban...
Nov 12, 2024•3 hr 15 min•Season 1Ep. 42
In episode 40, we chat with high-stakes MTT player Alexandros "Pwndidi" Theologis about his transition from gaming to poker. Alex discusses how gaming prepared him for poker's challenges, including managing variance and expecting worst-case scenarios. He shares his disciplined approach to bankroll management, studying, and dividing grinding and study days efficiently. We delve into his experiences with BitB, handling mistakes, and recording sessions for improvement. Alex also provides insights o...
Sep 04, 2024•2 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 40
In Episode 39 of the podcast, we chat with Finnish high-stakes cash-game player Severi "TheIPoker" Palmu. In this episode, Severi shares his journey, which started by playing conservatively at 2NL, grinding his bankroll all the way up to playing 10KNL. We touch on how Severi keeps up with the ever-evolving poker world, his biggest strengths as a player, the best and worst advice given in today's poker industry, being curious, self-critical, and the most important things to factor into your decis...
Jun 28, 2024•2 hr 33 min•Season 1Ep. 39
In Episode 38 of the podcast, we chat with the 2022 Main Event champion, Espen Uhlen Jørstad. In this episode, we discuss the biggest contributors to Espen's success in poker, as well as the unforeseen struggles that came with winning the main event. Espen shares stories from his childhood and how they have shaped his current behavior. Other topics we touch on include competing at the highest level in Triton events, the motivation for continuing to play poker at a high level after winning the ma...
Jun 14, 2024•2 hr 48 min•Season 1Ep. 38
