Hollywood promotes the notion that top players "read" their opponents from their body language, or their unique method of eating Oreo cookies. But do such live tells have any place in today's mathematical game of #poker? In this episode, coach w34z3l gives an overview of how your opponents may leak information that you can use to beat them. Equally important, we discuss how you can prevent others from reading your own body language, so that you can protect yourself from damaging information leak...
May 12, 2026•26 min•Season 8Ep. 10
The element of luck in #poker means that weak players can having winning sessions and strong ones can go on extended downswings. One can argue that this variance is necessary for the game to survive at all, since without it donators would quickly drop the game. Appreciating how extreme poker variance can be is important for two reasons. First, understanding that downswings are a feature of the game helps us survive psychologically. Second, quantifying how big downswings can be is essential for e...
Apr 28, 2026•22 min•Season 8Ep. 9
The block bet is a play from the pre-solver era of #poker which many players view with suspicion. Making a small bet in the hope of avoiding a much larger one from an opponent certainly lacks a firm theoretical basis. Like many classic plays, however, modern theory reveals that there is a place for the block bet in today's game. While the rationale is rather different, the old block bet has experienced a renaissance as part of the "micro-bet metagame." TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Introduction: What is a Blo...
Apr 14, 2026•20 min•Season 8Ep. 8
Much of modern #poker strategy revolves around the battle between poker ranges; our own and that of our opponent. But is ranging always the best approach to reaching a decision, particularly since our opponent's range is at best a guess. In this podcast episode, coach w34z3l looks at strategies that largely ignore traditional ranging. These data-driven approaches are based on how our opponents play in reality, rather than some theoretical abstraction. Ranging still has its place, but consistent ...
Mar 31, 2026•22 min•Season 8Ep. 7
Do you equate the mental game of #poker with tilt avoidance? Then this episode of the podcast will be a huge eye-opener. Sure mental resilience is a critical part of playing winning poker, but there are many other edges you can develop through mindfulness. Directed study moves more concepts into unconscious competence, making decisions faster and more accurate. Creating a flow state will optimize your performance and thus your hourly rate. A solid and complete mental game is the ultimate poker e...
Mar 17, 2026•25 min•Season 8Ep. 6
Maximizing your #poker hourly rate extends well beyond simply playing well. If playing online, for example, how many simultaneous tables gives you your best results? What is your optimal session length? How do you even survive the poker grind? While the answers to many of these questions depend on the individual player, there are many commonalities that can greatly boost the hourly rate of most players. Creating a grinding schedule, taking shots, balancing study and playing time, and bankroll ma...
Mar 03, 2026•26 min•Season 8Ep. 5
In the previous episode of the podcast, we discussed how GTO #poker requires mixing. Typical solutions returned by solvers include using multiple bet sizes in a given spot, with each size being used at a specific frequency. While this is all very well in theory, how does one handle mixing in practice? If GTO tells you to bet pot 30% of the time, and half-pot 70% of the time, what do you actually do when the action is on you? The answer is we must randomize. How to randomize to maximize win-rate ...
Feb 17, 2026•28 min•Season 8Ep. 4
Have you heard high-stakes #poker players claiming that they play a GTO strategy? That is a myth that is quickly disproved; the general GTO solution to poker is currently unknown. Even if such a solution was available, memorizing solver output and its mixing frequencies would be impossible. It is also the case, however, that GTO solvers have radically improved our understanding of the fundamentals of poker. This podcast episode breaks down the practical takeaways from GTO research, with a partic...
Feb 03, 2026•24 min•Season 8Ep. 3
Playing #poker well can be viewed as making the highest-EV decision at every opportunity. In some situations, such as facing an all-in, calculating EV is relatively trivial. But what about more complex situations, particularly on early streets, where the EV formula is hard to apply? Enter EV modeling; an approach that estimates the EV of different actions by modeling multiple branches of the game tree. In this episode of the Red Chip Poker podcast, coach w34z3l presents several practical EV mode...
Jan 20, 2026•27 min•Season 8Ep. 2
In the season premiere of season 8, w34z3l breaks down the concept of minimum defense frequency, with an emphasis on how MDF can lead to inappropriate defense frequencies in certain spots. GTO solutions frequently involve defense frequencies that violate MDF, suggesting such lines allow us to be auto-exploited. And yet GTO solutions are generally understood as being unexploitable. This episode reconciles this apparent contradiction, and explains how you can construct practical defense frequencie...
Jan 06, 2026•24 min•Season 8Ep. 1
Unlock the key pillars of exploitative poker strategy in this exclusive audiobook preview from The Exploitative Edge . In Chapter 4, you'll learn how to maximize profits against imperfect opponents by adjusting your play beyond rigid GTO theory. From knowing when to build monster pots to avoiding low-confidence traps, this episode lays out six powerful strategies that will elevate your game and punish weaker opposition at every level. This audiobook chapter was narrated by co-author James "Split...
Sep 23, 2025•11 min•Season 7Ep. 19
Is your understanding of position in poker costing you EV? In this season 7 finale of the Red Chip Poker Podcast, you'll learn why thinking in terms of position alone is no longer enough—and how the concept of formational awareness can bring serious clarity to your strategy. Coach W34z3l takes you deep into the subtle yet critical differences between various formations—like Button vs. Big Blind or Cutoff vs. Hijack—and how each one impacts everything from c-bet frequency to overbetting strategie...
Sep 02, 2025•23 min•Season 7Ep. 18
In this episode of the Red Chip Poker Podcast, Coach W34z3l dives into one of the trickiest spots in no-limit hold'em: facing a double barrel out of position and deciding whether to check-raise the turn. If you've ever second-guessed a check-raise with a gutshot, flush draw, or even second pair, this deep strategy breakdown is for you. Using a K98 flop with a blank turn as the foundation, you'll explore how solvers approach turn check-raising frequencies, which hands qualify as profitable semi-b...
Aug 23, 2025•20 min•Season 7Ep. 17
Online #poker has changed—and not always for the better. While you're battling regs and fish, there's a whole new opponent sitting quietly at the tables: poker bots. In this eye-opening episode of the Red Chip Poker Podcast, Coach W34z3l breaks down the current state of bots in online poker and gives you the tools to protect your winrate—and maybe even boost it—by identifying and exploiting these digital opponents. From profile bots to pool exploit bots, bot rings to RTA bots, and even house bot...
Aug 05, 2025•24 min•Season 7Ep. 16
Were old school poker players better than today's GTO-inspired up-and-comers? In this episode of the Red Chip Poker Podcast, Coach w34z3l explores the dramatic evolution of poker strategy—from the gritty, intuition-fueled grind of old school poker to today's GTO-obsessed solver era. Whether you started playing poker in the last year or two decades ago, this conversation sheds light on what skills are truly essential to succeed in today's games. You'll examine how the modern training environment ...
Jul 22, 2025•24 min•Season 7Ep. 15
If you've ever heard someone say "I'm raising a polarized range on the flop" and thought wait, that doesn't quite make sense — you're not alone. In this episode of the Red Chip Poker Podcast, Coach W34z3l introduces a new term you'll want to add to your poker vocabulary: pseudo polarization. While traditional polarized ranges make perfect sense on the river—where you're typically betting either your strongest value hands or your weakest bluffs—the same logic falls apart when you try to apply it ...
Jul 08, 2025•20 min•Season 7Ep. 14
If you've ever struggled with poker math mid-hand—fumbling with ratios, converting to percentages, and second-guessing your decisions—this episode is going to feel like a breath of fresh air. In "Bad Poker Math", Coach Weasel breaks down one of the most common sources of confusion at the tables: relying on outdated ratio-based math. Whether it's calculating pot odds, implied odds, or bluff-to-value frequencies, traditional approaches often overcomplicate simple decisions and slow you down when i...
Jun 24, 2025•24 min•Season 7Ep. 13
If you've ever struggled to know when to check-raise the flop—or felt unsure whether your current strategy is leaking EV—this episode is for you. We break down one of the most common and instructive spots in poker: big blind vs. button on a dry flop. Using solver-informed analysis, you'll walk away with a clear understanding of which types of hands check-raise profitably, where these hands fall on the equity spectrum, and how the modern approach differs from traditional polarized thinking. This ...
Jun 10, 2025•22 min•Season 7Ep. 12
Can we discuss "equity retention" and why it's not an optional concept to learn for every poker player? In this episode of the Red Chip Poker Podcast, we break down one of the most overlooked yet essential postflop concepts: equity retention. You'll learn what it is, how it impacts your decisions postflop, and how to use it to build stronger bluffing lines and value strategies. Whether you're new to the term or just need a refresher, this is the deep dive you've been waiting for. Perfect for cas...
May 27, 2025•21 min•Season 7Ep. 11
Poker is already a complex game—but many players try to make it easier by using simplified poker strategies. Whether it's range c-betting 1/3 pot, 3-bet-only from the small blind, or avoiding donk bets entirely, the goal is always the same: reduce decisions & reduce errors. But is simplifying your strategy actually helping your win rate? Or is it quietly costing you chips? In this episode of the Red Chip Poker Podcast, we explore the real trade-offs behind simplified poker strategies, their ...
May 13, 2025•24 min•Season 7Ep. 10
In this episode, you'll sharpen your understanding of poker strategy and tactical execution — two sides of the same coin that every winning player needs to master. Whether you've ever wondered "am I making the best decision here?" or "do I even know the EV of this play?" — this discussion gives you the tools to confidently find the answer. Coach w34z3l breaks down the critical difference between strategy and tactics, using real-world examples from chess, warfare, and poker itself. You'll discove...
Apr 29, 2025•22 min•Season 7Ep. 9
GTO poker isn't unbeatable — in fact, it's full of cracks. In this episode of the Red Chip Poker Podcast, we reveal exactly how to generate an edge against solver output, challenge GTO dogma, and outmaneuver "optimal" opponents. Whether you're battling bots or facing players trying to perfectly mimic solvers, this deep dive breaks down why GTO isn't the end-all strategy — and how to beat it. We explore: Solver weaknesses like finite sizings, rigid stack depths, and limited trees How unorthodox s...
Apr 15, 2025•25 min•Season 7Ep. 8
You've heard the claims—poker is dead. The rise of GTO solvers, real-time assistance (RTA), cheating scandals, and unbeatable rake structures have all fueled the conversation. But how much of it is hype, and how much is reality? In this episode of the Red Chip Poker Podcast, we take a serious, fact-driven look at whether poker is truly in decline—or if it's simply evolving. You'll explore the current landscape of online and live poker, including the influence of poker AI, the misconception that ...
Apr 01, 2025•25 min•Season 7Ep. 7
Have you ever called a big bet, lost the hand, and immediately thought, I knew I should've folded!? Or maybe you made a hero call, won, and convinced yourself it was pure genius? This poker mental trap—what we call the hindsight reflex—is one of the biggest leaks in poker. It skews your perception, making you judge decisions based on results rather than sound strategy. In this episode of the Red Chip Poker Podcast, we break down why this happens, how it warps your thought process, and most impor...
Mar 18, 2025•27 min•Season 7Ep. 6
Poker isn't always black and white, but too many players treat it that way. In this episode of the Red Chip Poker Podcast, we dive deep into one of the biggest mindset shifts that separates winning players from the rest: understanding which decisions actually impact your win rate and which ones you can stop overanalyzing. You've probably heard debates at the table: Should you always c-bet second pair? Should you always call in a given spot? The truth is, many hands are played with mixed strategi...
Mar 04, 2025•23 min•Season 7Ep. 5
The button is the most profitable position in poker, yet many players fail to fully capitalize on it. In this episode of the Red Chip Poker Podcast, we take a deep dive into button strategy, covering everything from preflop adjustments to postflop decision making. Understanding how to play effectively from the button can significantly improve your overall winrate. While button leaks can absolutely cripple any chance of success. This episode explores: What a strong button winrate looks like and h...
Feb 18, 2025•27 min•Season 7Ep. 4
Is poker really gambling? 🤔 It's a question that sparks debate among players, casual fans, and even lawmakers. In this episode of the Red Chip Poker Podcast, we break down the real meaning of gambling and whether #poker should be considered a game of chance, skill, or something in between. We start by examining the dictionary definitions of gambling and why they don't always capture the nuances of poker. While poker involves risk and money—like traditional gambling games such as blackjack or ro...
Feb 04, 2025•26 min•Season 7Ep. 3
In this episode of the Red Chip Poker Podcast, we delve into the world of expensive poker training content. They scrutinize whether high-priced poker courses and boot camps, such as a $3,000 course or a $14,000 boot camp, are genuinely worth their price tags. The discussion covers the psychology behind perceived value, the ethics of marketing, and the motivations behind inflated pricing. They also examine the historical context by reflecting on the infamous "Let There Be Range" ebook, its hefty ...
Jan 21, 2025•22 min•Season 7Ep. 2
In the season premiere of season 7, w34z3l shares valuable strategies for gaining a competitive edge in online #poker. He emphasizes the importance of tools like HUDs for informational advantage, discusses the role of table selection, and explains how high-volume play impacts hourly rates. We also examine how poker rooms may counteract players' edges with restrictions like HUD limits and hand history access, stressing the need for players to be selective in choosing poker rooms that align with t...
Jan 07, 2025•27 min•Season 7Ep. 1
Blockers are an intermediate concept that tends to be used incorrectly by many players. While they can be important in making close decisions, there are some situations in which using blockers will actually diminish your results. Find out when and how to use blockers by listening to the final podcast episode of Season 6. RELATED LINKS GTO Poker Gems (Book Site): https://redchippoker.com/gto-gems-book Poker Combos And Blockers 101: https://www.splitsuit.com/poker-combos-blockers How To 3-Bet With...
Apr 02, 2024•30 min•Season 6Ep. 18
