Explore every episode of the podcast Third Man Walking

(0:00) Introduction

(0:15) Two possible paths

(4:39) Garrett Adelstein's "Beneath the Cards"

(14:49) $5/$5/$10 hand: TsTx on K97sss5ssss6sssss

(18:07) Jesse May's "Shut Up and Deal"

Your correspondent thinks about two possible paths to success in poker, represented, in different ways, in two poker books: Garrett Adelstein’s recent “Beneath the Cards,” and Jesse May’s “Shut Up and Deal.”

(0:00) Introduction

(0:15) "Bet Raise Fold"

(12:36) $5/$5/$10 session

(12:49) K9cc on 974r7dd5x

(14:37) KJo on K88rQhh7x

(15:49) AA preflop spot

(17:26) AKo preflop spot

(19:21) J7cc on AJJrA. (The river was a brick.)

(22:37) From a later session: AKhh on AKJxdd5x

Your correspondent reviews the 2013 poker documentary "Bet Raise Fold," wondering what it means that poker today exists in the shadow of the poker boom two decades ago.

(0:00) Introduction

(0:15) Preserving public games

(22:39) $5/$5/$10 session

(22:51) A4cc on T43cxcQx2x

(24:56) KK all-in preflop

(25:35) 55 on A75r

(26:56) 77 on J98r9r7

(28:29) AKhh on Q94cch

(30:19) JJ on J92ddx

Your correspondent discusses how best to balance private games in card rooms with existing public games. He argues that public games (which can often run with less overhead and less friction than private ones) should be protected — both for the players, so that they can come and go as they please, and, perhaps, for the card rooms themselves.

(0:00) Introduction

(0:15) Biggest losing session of the year! ($5/$5, $5/$5/$10 and $10/$20)

(2:30) KsKx on Q88ssxThh2x

(8:32) AQo on A85ddxJx4x

(15:21) Sandor Illes on bad beat culture and what makes a great poker game

Your correspondent talks to livestream player and ball knower Sandor Illes about why you should be willing to listen to your buddy's bad beats. Your correspondent also reviews his worst session of poker so far this year, which included some hands played against Sandor himself.

(0:00) Introduction

(0:15) The problem of time

(11:59) ($5/$5 and) $5/$10 session

(12:55) AA on 755r6hhKx

(15:16) JJ on 964ccx

(16:37) K7o on QJ4rKr7

(21:35) JJ on 732cxcTx6x

(23:50) AJcc on AQ5xcc6x7x

(26:24) AhAx on Q94hxh

(29:44) Double-board hold-em bomb pot: 53ss on K764J and K65r8ssAx

(32:58) AA preflop spot

Your correspondent returns from vacation and thinks about what he'd like to do next, pondering what to do when time seems to be at a premium. He then plays a $5/$10 session that ends with a day-defining cooler.

(0:00) Introduction

(0:15) On aggression

(8:25) $5/$5/$10 session

(8:36) AhQx on 654hhhAx

(10:28) KK (no heart) on 832hhx9xAx

(14:47) AhKx on AJTxhh6x5x

(16:38) 16:38 A9o (no spade) on QJ7sxs9x9sss

(19:12) KK on K43xssAx

(21:05) AA on 982cxc8x

(24:12) QTss on A87sxx3dd

Your correspondent considers the meaning of the term "aggression" in poker, and how odd it is that a word with a negative connotation (a word one might use about someone who starts a bar fight) is how we describe winning poker play.

(0:00) Introduction

(0:15) Cash Players Vs. Tournament Players

(15:23) $5/$5 and $5/$5/$10 session

(15:55) QQ preflop spot

(17:18) AKo preflop spot

(19:02) 88 on 876r5ccKccc

(20:28) AQhh on AT8r5hh

(21:30) 87cc on A96ddx5x

(23:16) 55 on 873r8ss7x

Your correspondent addresses two amusing but similarly unanswerable questions about cash game pros as compared to tournament pros. Who does better in the other's format? And who's better at poker?

(0:00) Introduction

(0:15) "The Adults"

(12:22) $5/$5/$10 NLHE session

(14:04) AJo preflop spot

(16:05) T9ss on K82sss7x

(21:05) JJ preflop spot

(23:47) QQ preflop spot

Your correspondent discusses the 2023 film "The Adults," which prominently features poker being played in bumbling fashion. He then plays some bumbling poker himself, struggling through a $5/$5/$10 session.

(0:00) Introduction

(0:52) Sunday, May 10

(5:41) 22 on QJ2ssxQx4x

(9:27) QhQx on 874hhx

(13:31) Monday, May 11

(16:53) QQ on J86r

(17:26) AKo on A73xcc

(18:21) QQ (again) on J73hxh9x9x

(21:00) Tuesday, May 12

(22:15) Double-board PLO bomb pot: JT98r on T92ddd2xAx and KQ4r7xT

(26:38) Wednesday, May 13

(26:50) Double-board hold-em bomb pot: 99 on 975ccx and T64xcc

(30:20) AKo on A96r3hh5x

(32:26) Thursday, May 14

(34:03) Friday, May 15

(34:37) AQdd on Q65r6x

(36:22) 52dd on KJ2dccJx

Your correspondent reviews an entire week of poker to see what the podcast might be missing by only featuring his most impactful sessions. Along the way, he discusses the stereotypical poker night-owl schedule, the upsides and downsides of playing at different casinos, the value regs create for cardrooms, and how he balances playing and doing commentary.

(0:00) Introduction

(0:15) The Lodge, the LA blackjack ban, and "The Highest Stakes"

(4:59) $5/$10 no-limit hold-em session

(6:11) AhAx on J43xhhKx7x

(9:40) 88 on 953ssxAx

(11:37) K2ss on T54r3rA

(13:41) AJo on J83rKccJx

(16:10) 87o on J93ddxTx3x

(19:25) AJo on JJ3r9ss5x

(24:46) KK all-in preflop

(25:53) 33 on 653rAhhAx

(28:37) AsKx on T82rKss7sss

Your correspondent begins with a roundup of recent poker topics, including the Lodge's victory in Texas, the lack of changes (so far) to poker in Los Angeles in the wake of the ban on blackjack in California card rooms, and the new movie "The Highest Stakes," which has little to say about poker but is dumb fun nonetheless. He then reviews a sloppily played $5/$10 session.

(0:00) Introduction

(0:14) Live cash games in the near future

(14:39) $5/$10 NLHE session

(15:07) AJss on A82ddx9cc

(17:04) AKo on KKTxssTx2sss

(19:04) 9s3x on 865rAss2sss

(21:13) A3dd on T42dxd

(22:21) JJ on QT3r4cc5x

(30:12) 30:12 A7hh on A82xxhQhhKhhh

(31:55) QQ on 954rJrA

(34:24) 76cc on K54xcc

Your correspondent thinks about how live poker might look in four years. Then, he reviews a spewy $5/$10 session.

FORUM DISCUSSION:

I can't find the Reddit thread where it was discussed.

The interview doesn’t seem to be out yet. I’ll post it on social media when it’s published.

(0:00) Introduction

(0:15) On the closure of the Lodge

(7:00) $5/$10 NLHE session

(7:16) AKss on A76rQcc

(10:34) A5cc on Q55ssx4x6x

(13:01) JTss on 988ccxQx4x

(15:09) AdAx on T32xdd5xJx

(16:19) Double-board hold-em bomb pot: T6dd on T75xdx4dd8x and 652r4ssQx

(21:32) KsQx on J98ssx8sssAssss

(23:22) Double-board hold-em bomb pot: J9o on 998r2ccKx and 877r4ssQx

(27:01) AA on ...

Your correspondent addresses the recent (hopefully temporary) closure of the Lodge near Austin, then reviews a wild $5/$10 session.

FORUM DISCUSSION:

(0:00) Introduction

(0:15) The 2008 poker movie "Deal"

(12:16) $5/$10 NLHE session

(12:55) Bonus $5/$10 hand: AhAx on 742hhx6xJx

(18:20) $5/$5 hand: AsKx on 983sss

(20:08) $5/$10 hand: AJo on T95r8ss

(21:51) QsQx on K84sss7ssssKx

(24:30) JJ (no spade) on Q93sxs

(27:08) Double-board hold-em bomb pot: T8o on T63ssxKx and 962r4cc

(28:32) KJo on J65hhxJxTx

Your correspondent looks back at the poker film "Deal," which received intriguingly horrible reviews upon its release in 2008. He then plays a $5/$10 session against a tight table.

FORUM DISCUSSION

(0:00) Introduction

(0:15) How the legal battle facing California's card rooms might impact poker in the state

(11:45) $5/$10 NLHE session

(13:47) ATo on AT8cxcTccc

(16:41) QhQx on 554xhh7hhh6x

(18:44) AKo on Q98xdd5xJx

(21:54) JJ on 972r3hh7x

(23:24) QJdd on 976hdhThhh

(24:58) A9dd on JTTrAss

(27:40) A7ss on A65xss2x9x

(29:27) AJdd preflop spot

(30:56) A4cc preflop spot

Your correspondent discusses how a potential ban on blackjack-type games in California card rooms could impact poker. Then, he reviews a $5/$10 session that he made with this podcast in mind.

FORUM DISCUSSION:

(0:00) Intro

(0:15) Distractions and mistakes

(8:31) $5/$10 session

(8:35) 95ss on Q96xxsJss8sss

(9:49) T8ss on T83r2rK; thoughts on the population finding more river folds than they once did

(11:43) KxQh on T83hhx2x2hhh

(13:51) 97ss on K62xss3sss8x

(15:30) 98o on J74ccx4ss

(16:55) Jackpot! AA vs. QQ vs. TT on AQTT

(19:52) JJ (no heart) on 983hhh2hhhh

(21:28) AQcc on T94ccx8x8ccc

(26:49) J7cc on QJJr9dd6x

(28:07) A2o on AJJrQhhKx

Your correspondent plays a $5/$10 session, wins a table share of a jackpot, and muses about distractions and about not being in the right frame of mind to perform.

FORUM DISCUSSION:

(0:00) Intro

(0:19) Chaos

(8:18) $5/$5 NLHE session

(8:30) KK (no heart) on Q76hhhJx8x

(10:36) 77 on T42r7dd3x

(12:40) 44 on J868r4

(14:33) AThh on 842cxcTss9x

(16:11) AKdd on QJ5r7dd4x

(18:28) KcKx on T85cxc6x

Your correspondent discusses Barry Greenstein's idea of "chaos" -- the millions of kinds of luck in poker (or outside it) that seem further removed from the key elements of poker gameplay than just getting aces against kings, or getting an awful river card. Your correspondent then plays a $5/$5 session that ends with a bit of Greensteinian chaos.

FORUM DISCUSSION:

(0:00) Intro

(0:15) On turning a corner

(10:38) $5/$5/$10 NLHE session

(12:00) AQhh on 765rQx7

(14:02) QQ (no club) on J54xcc7ccc2x

(18:00) AThh preflop spot

(18:56) 8x7h on 653hhh9x8hhhh

(20:34) AsJx on K97sxs3sss

(22:43) T8dd on AJ9xdd

Your correspondent looks back to a time when he had a big breakthrough in his poker results, and wonders what causes such breakthroughs. Then, he gets into a number of difficult spots in a $5/$5/$10 session.

FORUM DISCUSSION:

(0:00) Intro

(0:15) What I've been up to

(2:40) There's a right answer, but what is it?

(10:25) $5/$5/$10 hand: AThh on A83xdd6x

(15:25) AQo on Q83r4r

(23:56) $5/$5/$10 session

(25:14) AJo on AK6xcc9x8x

(26:51) Ridiculous preflop spot with KK

(30:34) AQo on AQ2dxdTx8x

(32:51) AQo (again) on KJTrJccTx

(33:59) AA on Q94hhx

(35:22) TT on T72ccx6x6x

(38:27) A9ss on 863ddxAhh

Your correspondent thinks about the many decision points in live poker in which there probably are correct answers, but it's not clear what it is.

(0:00) Intro

(0:15) A frustrating day at $5/$5 and $5/$10

(7:12) $5/$5 hand: 88 on 842hxh6ccAx

(13:14) Poker as "founder training"

(19:17) $5/$5 NLHE/standup game session

(19:47) JJ all-in preflop

(21:04) AKo all-in preflop

(22:33) AA on A33ddx4x

(23:32) AQo on A74hhxQhhh2hhhh

(25:41) A8cc preflop

Your correspondent discusses a frustrating day of poker, responds to Kelly Lucas' reaction to Erik Seidel's potential retirement in the wake of impending changes to taxation of gambling losses, and then finds respite in an out-of-town poker room that allows the standup game.

FORUM DISCUSSION:

(0:00) Social media and AI

(2:32) Storytelling in poker

(17:11) $5/$10 NLHE session

(17:36) K9dd on A98ssdTsss2x

(20:22) AdKx on 964ddd

(22:28) AThh on QT5rAcc9x

(24:33) KsJx on JT3sxsAx

(26:00) TT (no spade) on J63sss6x9ssss

(28:53) AA on QT2rKss4x

(30:21) QJo on AT8cxcKhh4ccc

Your correspondent thinks about the AI mini-scandal that recently engulfed the WSOP's "No Limit" docuseries. He lists some problems with poker storytelling that are particular to poker and its ecosystem, then discusses what sorts of stories about poker he'd like to hear or watch. Then, he plays a $5/$10 session in which he struggles to be precise against an action player.

Links:

(0:00) Intro

(0:15) "Ballad of a Small Player"

(13:06) $5/$5 NLHE session

(16:00) JJ preflop spot

(17:40) AKdd preflop spot

(19:02) AJdd on A54xdx3ss2x

(22:18) AQo on AT5hxh6dd9x

(24:09) AA on 322r

(26:07) J9ss on T75ssx2sss4ssss

Your correspondent discusses the new Netflix film “Ballad of a Small Player,” finding it more rewarding upon repeated viewings. He also picks up some big hands in a recent $5/$5 session.

LINKS:

(0:00) Private games and the Chauncey Billups scandal

(10:52) $5/$10 session

(12:14) AKhh all-in preflop

(13:00) 99 all-in preflop

(15:38) AKo on K54r6ssQx

(17:57) QhQx on AJ6hhxQx4hhh

(20:01) QTcc on QT4hxhJx7hhh

(21:41) JThh on AQ2hxxKx

(23:25) AA on AQTr4ccJx

Your correspondent discusses the Chauncey Billups scandal and Doug Polk's interview with Philip Wiszowaty and how, again, private games are the problem.

FORUM DISCUSSION:

(0:00) Intro

(0:37) The Noble Hustle

(11:18) $5/$10 session

(12:47) TT on T77ddx8x2ddd

(16:11) AcQx on 974cxcKxKccc

(21:37) A4hh on Q76hxh

(22:39) AKhh all-in preflop

(26:20) J9cc on Q52ccxAccc8x

(29:09) AKhh on 544hxxJhh

(31:16) AJo on AJ4r4ccTx

Your correspondent reviews Colson Whitehead’s 2014 poker diary “The Noble Hustle,” a beautifully written account of his brief foray into the poker world and his entry into the WSOP Main Event. Then, a review of a messy $5/$10 session.

Your correspondent reviews the 2015 Canadian poker thriller “Cold Deck,” then recaps a relatively smooth (but imperfect) session at $5/$10.

FORUM DISCUSSION:

0:23 “Cold Deck”

11:49 $5/$5 and $5/$10 session

12:03 AJo on K63r4dd

14:08 J9cc preflop spot

15:43 AKo on AJ6ccx7x4x

16:54 KK on T94r9cc5x

19:44 KK (again) on T86hhx

22:27 AQo preflop spot

23:11 JhJx on T76hxhKhhh5x

Your correspondent discusses the potential ban on sweepstakes casinos in California, then reviews a $5/$5/$10 session in which he wonders how frequently he's getting bluffed.

FORUM DISCUSSION:

0:19 Thoughts on (more) law changes affecting poker players in California and elsewhere

6:06 $5/$5/$10 no-limit hold-em session

6:24 88 preflop

8:47 AQo on QJ3r

11:17 76hh on QJ2hxh4hhh7x

13:11 AdKx K65ddx3ddd8x

15:22 TT on T72ssxQxKx

17:47 K9o on K42rQhh3x

21:34 AKo all-in preflop

22:35 KcKx on A54ccxKdd

25:44 Very old $1/$2 hand history: KK on AK3r

Your correspondent watches the 2013 poker-adjacent film “Runner Runner,” then gets put in some tough spots at $5/$5/$10, making (at least) one big mistake along the way.

FORUM DISCUSSION:

0:15 Making adjustments to online poker with big antes

3:48 Watching “Runner Runner”

7:35 $5/$5/$10 session

7:56 AThh on Q54hxx9cc

10:21 AJo on J42ccxJhhKhhh

16:51 KK (no club) on Q98ccx

18:08 Quads alert! 55 on Q65cxc5ss2x

19:41 AKhh on AQ2xxh4x

20:53 KsKd on Q74dxdJssQx

24:48 Double-board PLO bomb pot! AK54hhxh on ...
Board 1: 874hhx8xKx (so on the river I have KK88A)
Board 2: A43rA8 (so on the river I have AAA44)

Your correspondent reflects on how private games cycle through players, and how public games in LA can compete with those of the private-game world, which offer newer side games. He also muses on a recent experiment that seems to point toward privatization even in tournaments in casinos.

FORUM DISCUSSION:

0:15 Scattered thoughts on private games and the way poker is changing

0:37 Derek DelGaudio's "Amoralman"

2:00 The creep of privatization in tournaments

6:16 How private games can cause players to go broke faster (and reflections on the ways the cash-game ecosystem is changing)

17:07 $5/$10 and $5/$5/$10 sessions

18:09 KTo on KJ3r6ssJx

20:25 KhKx on 983hxh

22:24 AJcc on J53ddxTx2ddd

25:01 76hh on J76xcc

29:23 $5/$10/$20 hand: All-in preflop with ATo

Your correspondent plays a $5/$5/$10 session in which he wonders what to do facing a string bet, then navigates a long card-dead stretch. He also muses about the possibility of playing on stream.

FORUM DISCUSSION:

0:15 $5/$5/$10 session (with digressions)

1:26 Limit hold-em vs. no-limit hold-em

4:07 Weird string-bet spot: AJo (no clubs) on A95xccJxTccc

10:19 KsQx on JT2sssAxKx

13:00 Struggling with how to maximize winnings against tighter recreational players

13:45 AxQd on 765dddQx8x

16:17 JTss on T54dxd5x6x

20:31 KK on J74rJhh9x

22:12 KK (again) on T77ddxAxJddd

26:11 9c9x on T53cxcQss5ccc

28:15 The HCL controversy/challenge and thoughts on playing on stream

33:49 KK on 443xcc

Your correspondent reviews his recent trip to Las Vegas. Then, he discusses two new developments that are bad for poker: Will Kassouf's performance in the Main Event, and changes to US tax law.

FORUM DISCUSSION:

0:15 Being a tourist in Las Vegas

10:50 Will Kassouf in the Main Event

23:59 Big changes to the way poker players are taxed

Your correspondent offers his take on the controversy at the end of the Millionaire Maker last week, then reflects on the worst year of poker he’s ever endured, a year that he thinks (and hopes) is now over.

FORUM DISCUSSION :

0:58 The Millionaire Maker / Club WPT Gold controversy

11:16 Reflections on the past year

Your correspondent starts with a commonly asked question within the poker community (“How do we make poker more popular?”) and argues the more important question is slightly different: “SHOULD poker be more popular?” Then, he reviews a $5/$5/$10 session in an unfamiliar locale.

FORUM DISCUSSION:

0:19 On (not) growing the game

11:00 $5/$5/$10 session

12:01 AJss on A54r4cc2ccc

13:27 88 on 998rTrK

17:54 JTdd on KT2r8ddQddd

20:57 KK on 872r3r9

24:29 A9ss on T42dxd8ss9ddd

27:29 AxQd on K82ddx9dddTdddd

Your correspondent reviews a boom-era poker film that did not stand the test of time, then gets annoyed with himself after playing badly against an opponent at $5/$5/$10.

FORUM DISCUSSION:

0:19 “The Grand”

15:16 $5/$5/$10 NLHE session

15:40 A5ss on J85ssx

16:48 QJss on 974ssx8cc3x

19:10 QThh on A54ddxJx4x

22:39 J8hh on J43sxs3cc6ccc

26:01 A7ss on K63xccJss7x

30:46 55 on T95ddxJx9x

Your correspondent looks ahead to the World Series of Poker, then watches the excellent but occasionally abrasive Winamax YouTube series "Inside the Mind of a Pro." He then reviews a $5/$5/$10 no-limit hold-em session that ends with a wild double-board PLO bomb pot.

FORUM DISCUSSION:

0:15 Tournament season!

6:49 The YouTube series "Inside the Mind of a Pro"

16:35 $5/$5/$10 session

16:46 AQo on T73r6cc

19:14 KJdd on T65ddx

22:03 AsTx on T95sss6xQx

23:53 KTo on J93r8x4

26:45 A6hh on 633rJx2

29:12 KsQx on 853rAss

30:53 KJo on AAQrTssKx

31:44 Double-board PLO bomb pot: T952 with ten-high spades. Top board: 842r5ss2x. Bottom board: J73r8ssAx

36:19 Thoughts on playing double-board PLO bomb pots with a cap

The "Inside the Mind of a Pro" series is available here:

Your correspondent looks back at the 2021 film "The Card Counter," about a gambler struggling with his past as a soldier. He then plays a $5/$10 session in which he tries to shake off the rust of an extended break.

FORUM DISCUSSION:

0:15 "The Card Counter"

11:15 $5/$5 and $5/$10 NLHE session

13:29 $5/$5: AKss all-in preflop

14:47 KsKc on 642hhx5ss3hhh

17:19 $5/$10: AdJx on 875rJdd3x

22:08 A4dd on 988ddx

25:46 KThh on T82rQcc

27:51 KdKx on 954ddx3dddQdddd

Your correspondent compares live no-limit hold-em to online to illustrate why live poker creates a unique kind of confusion that can be hard to resolve. He then reviews a $5/$10 session that featured a tantalizing bluff spot he didn't take.

FORUM DISCUSSION:

0:19 Why live poker is destined to confuse us

7:31 What I've been up to

8:30 Playing online PLO

11:16 $5/$5 and $5/$10 no-limit hold-em session

11:19 $5/$5 hand: AA on T954r

12:26 At $5/$10: AThh on T82r3dd6ddd

15:05 AKcc on KT5hxh4ss

17:49 77 on T87hhh9hhhhJx

21:57 KsKx on J62ssxJx9x

23:43 A3hh on KQhxhJxTx

Your correspondent revisits the possibility of diversifying by learning different game types, then plays a wild $5/$10 session in which he reflects on an increasingly rare opportunity to play with a huge action player.

FORUM DISCUSSION:

0:16 Introduction and adjusting to declining game quality

4:38 $5/$10 NLHE session

5:57 On getting to play with very fun players

10:13 Ad4x on J52ddx3x

11:54 QQ on JT6rAss

14:17 QQ all-in preflop

15:28 AQo on Q75xcc2x2x

18:10 QQ all-in preflop (again)

23:12 A4cc on 763xcx

24:31 99 preflop spot

25:52 AA on K72ssx6x

Today, fellow podcaster David Chen and your correspondent discuss the recent documentary "Matusow," which is available to rent on Amazon Prime. The movie follows poker boom-era star Mike Matusow’s recent attempts to pay off debts, stay relevant, and fight for his legacy.

FORUM DISCUSSION:

You can follow David's work at decodingeverything.com. He also writes about poker at davechenpoker.com.

0:18 Introduction

1:46 David joins to discuss "Matusow"

http:/twitter.com/thirdwalking

Amidst a couple weeks mostly away from poker, your correspondent plays two unusually low-stakes sessions, thinking along the way about the impact of policy upon poker options at public casinos.

FORUM DISCUSSION:

0:16 What I've been up to

3:14 What is low-stakes poker like in 2025?

7:44 How poker in casinos is affected by changes in laws

11:01 $1/$3 session in Seattle

14:13 AsAx on J87xss3x5x

19:29 AJo on JTTssx6x8x

21:07 AQss on Q73xxsKdd6x

24:10 $2/$3 session at Hustler

27:00 QTo on KJ5ssx

28:08 Double-board PLO bomb pot: T984 on J844Q and 852Kcc2x

31:30 A8cc on K82xxc2dd7x

34:14 AQ on QQ3r2r3

Your correspondent revisits the 2009 poker reality show "2 Months 2 Million," then reviews a day of poker that spanned two casinos and over 10 hours.

FORUM DISCUSSION:

0:15 2 Months 2 Million

12:47 Recap of a long Friday session and a hand review: 55 on T85rJdd4x

Your correspondent looks back at the 2015 gambling movie "Mississippi Grind," then reviews a $5/$10 session in which he played several all-in pots.

FORUM DISCUSSION:

0:15 "Mississippi Grind"

10:43 $5/$10 session

10:55 87dd on AT2ddd2xJx

14:52 AA no diamond on KQ2dxd3ddd

16:50 99 all-in preflop

20:15 76cc on T98ssx

21:14 AKo all-in preflop

22:21 66 on J65rTss6x

25:37 AKcc all-in preflop

Your correspondent revisits the 2007 poker film “Lucky You,” then discusses a $5/$5/$10 session that left him shrugging to himself about the quality of his play.

FORUM DISCUSSION:

0:20 Brief life/wildfire update

1:45 "Lucky You"

14:05 $5/$5/$10 session

14:13 On the types of "action" players currently playing in public mid-stakes games

18:27 TT on KT6sxs2sss

20:34 Double-board PLO bomb pot with Jh992.
First board: 9644.
Second board KhQh5x (?) Ahhh

23:01 KsKh on J82ccx5ddTddd

25:11 JJ on A74xssKx2x

29:05 A5hh on T62hhx7hhh7x

31:47 Conclusion

Your correspondent reviews a recent $5/$5/$10 session in which he ran several big bluffs. He also relates a story about a nitty opponent.

0:27 $5/$5/$10 session

0:43 QTss on KT5xxsJss6x

6:20 Double board PLO bomb pot: JT22xddx. Top board: AKQr8dd4x. Bottom board: Q93r2ss4x

8:45 JJ on A54r4ddTddd

10:34 JTss on 322ccx4xKx

12:59 KQcc on T84hhh2x3hhhh

15:09 T9dd on KQJxssQccKsss

16:30 Q6ss on 942sxx2ss5x

18:52 Thoughts on dealing with an annoying opponent

Your correspondent wins some big pots at $5/$5/$10 but leaves the casino a bit frustrated. Then, he thinks about how poker players think about money.

FORUM DISCUSSION:

0:19 $5/$5 and $5/$5/$10 session

0:36 AQo all-in preflop

1:46 K7o on 752rQss8sss

3:09 QQ on 853rQccJccc

6:31 AhKx on K95hhxTxTx

10:22 QJdd on AJ5dxdKx4ddd

13:34 AA (no heart) on J96rKhh8hhh

14:50 I return to $5/$5

17:36 Poker players’ weird relationships to money

Your correspondent discusses how private games have created an imbalance in live cash-game poker, and what to do about it. Then, he discusses a $5/$5/$10 session in which he made several very strong hands.

0:15 On the migration of private games from high-stakes live poker to mid- and low-stakes poker, and the problems that has created

20:00 $5/$5 and $5/$5/$10 NLHE session

21:15 AA on 664r9r2

24:45 97hh on K85xhx6hh2x

28:28 44 on QT4hxhTx

30:51 44 (again) on 843rJcc

FORUM DISCUSSION:

Your correspondent briefly muses on the difficulty of finding ways to improve when poker continually finds new ways to challenge and mislead you. He then reviews a $5/$10 session that featured some wild street-poker hands, including two in which he made huge folds.

FORUM DISCUSSION:

0:15 On hunting for ways to get better

6:48 $5/$10 NLHE session

7:29 JJ on J65ddxThh

9:03 AJcc on A75xddKx2x

11:08 QQ on 962r5dd

13:15 KK on J53rTr

15:09 TT on 943rQcc8x

17:01 $200 splash pot -- 99 on AK6rQdd4x

20:12 QThh on T83rTr7x (including a discussion of the tactic of overlimping)

25:24 AA on 863hhhKxJx

34:08 JJ on KJ5ssxQx2x

Your correspondent reads the anthropologist David M. Hayano's "Poker Faces," a book that, 42 years since it was published, has much to say about modern poker culture.

FORUM DISCUSSION:

0:30 "Poker Faces"

18:21 Anatomy of a Downswing, Part 1,000,000, featuring some weird digressions on nearly getting run over by a truck and of being in a mall in suburban Cleveland needing to buy a shirt

29:07 $5/$5 hand history: AA on 922r4hhJx

Your correspondent struggles with his proximity to the recent Nick Vertucci scandal and wonders how long he should stay in the poker world. Then, he plays a $5/$5/$10 session.

FORUM DISCUSSION:

0:16 On the Nick Vertucci scandal

12:17 $5/$5/$10 NLHE session

13:03 4c4x on T32ccxQxTx

16:06 QTss on TT3rA6

18:25 QQ on T75r4Q

20:31 JJ on 332xddKx6x

22:01 66 on 652ccxKcccQx

24:57 AKo all-in preflop

Your correspondent waits -- and waits -- for good opportunities at the table.

FORUM DISCUSSION:

0:22 On waiting for my turn

6:17 $5/$5/$10 hand history: AA preflop

10:20 $5/$5/$10(/$20/$40) hand history: A4hh on Q22ccx4xJx

15:51 $5/$10(/$20) session

16:41 7c7x on J95ccx8x3x (playing against an unusual opponent type)

21:00 AKo on AK3r4ss

22:50 QQ (no spade) on K96xss5x7sss

24:44 JJ preflop

25:51 AKo on QT9r57

27:43 QTo on T82cccAx4x

29:25 QQ on QT2hhhJx

30:49 KQo on KQ6r2r

32:21 QTo on J88r

33:05 AQss on QJ3ddxKx3x

34:57 AKo all-in preflop

35:59 $25 bomb pot with K5dd on AJ3dxx2dd7x

Your correspondent defends "mandatory" under-the-gun straddles against recent criticism. Then, he plays a brief but fruitful $5/$10 session.

FORUM DISCUSSION :

0:16 Some not-so-obvious reasons why straddles are good for games

10:10 $5/$10 NLHE session

10:52 K4ss on JJ6rAssTsss

13:04 88 on K42ssxJx6x

14:28 KQo on QT9cxc7hh

16:54 AQo on AQ9sssAxQx

19:19 A4dd on A53ssx

23:08 JJ on 854xssAx2x

25:09 AhAd on J84ccx9ccc6x

Brent Jenkins on the Poker Zoo Podcast:

The Anti-Straddle Manifesto:

Your correspondent tries to fight off bad thoughts while playing $5/$10 and $5/$5 at two casinos.

FORUM DISCUSSION:

1:05 On the "dead zone" in late afternoon public poker games

2:32 $5/$10 NLHE session

2:39 AKcc all-in preflop

3:17 KK all-in preflop

4:14 KK all-in preflop (again)

5:46 JJ on QT2hxh4cc

8:15 QTss on QJ6rAxA

10:22 $5/$5 session later that day at a different casino

13:27 AKo all-in preflop

17:34 JJ on T32sxs2x

18:21 AQcc KJ8cxxQx

19:52 AJss all-in preflop