The Official Red Chip Poker Podcast

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-bluffs, and where most players go wrong—particularly by bluffing too much with zero-equity hands. You’ll also gain clarity on when to fold draws, when to turn equity into aggression, and why certain board textures severely cap your value range. This is an essential listen if you're serious about improving your poker strategy, particularly in cash games and single-raised pots. Whether you're already working with solvers or just want to make fewer costly mistakes out of position, the insights in this episode will help you sharpen your turn decisions and build a stronger overall game plan.

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 bots operated by the poker sites themselves, we explore what these bots are, how they work, and how you can beat them. You’ll learn: · How to detect suspicious non-human play · What to do if you uncover a bot ring · When it’s better to avoid, report, or exploit bots · How strategy “buckets” make bots vulnerable · Real-world examples of exploits that print money—fast If you’ve ever wondered whether your opponent is too consistent, too persistent, or too good to be human… this episode is for you.

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 has shifted player development. HUDs, note-taking, combo counting, and live opponent profiling were once standard tools in every serious player’s kit. Now, many new players bypass these fundamentals, leaning heavily on solver output and pre-solved ranges—sometimes at the cost of building real-world intuition and adaptability. If you’ve ever wondered whether relying on solvers is enough… or if old-school strategy still has a place in today’s games, this episode is for you. You'll leave with a clear picture of the five key abilities every well-rounded poker player needs—and why combining the best of both eras may be your edge. **LINKS** · GTO Gems 2: https://redchippoker.com/gto-gems-2-book · CORE Poker Course: https://redchippoker.com/launch-core **JOIN US ON DISCORD** Join us on Discord today: https://redchippoker.com/discord

Dive into the intriguing concept of pseudo-polarization in poker, which redefines traditional hand ranges on the flop. Discover why mid-strength hands are included in ranges and how blindly adhering to bluff/value combos can lead to mistakes. Learn to craft flop-raising strategies that resist exploitation, even if they seem non-traditional. This thought-provoking discussion challenges your understanding of poker strategy, moving you beyond vague terms to grasp the nuances that can elevate your game.

Struggling with poker math mid-hand? Tune in for insights that simplify this crucial skill! Discover how outdated ratio-based calculations can hurt your game, and learn to embrace a more efficient, percentage-based approach. By streamlining how you think about pot odds and implied odds, you'll make sharper calls and folds faster. Plus, find out why simplifying your math methods enhances your decision-making at the table without diluting your skills. Say goodbye to confusion and hello to clarity!

Discover the art of check-raising on the flop, particularly in the big blind vs. button scenario. Learn which hands are truly profitable and how their equity compares. The discussion debunks traditional polarized thinking, highlighting the importance of mixed strategies for balance. Get practical insights on interpreting solver outputs to enhance your postflop play. Whether you're a live or online player, these strategies will sharpen your intuition and boost your game.

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 cash game players and tournament grinders alike. 💡 Takeaways from this episode: Learn why some hands drop off sharply as villain’s range narrows Discover the types of hands that thrive in high-pressure spots Understand when top pair is vulnerable—and how to respond See why draws and backdoor equity give you profitable bluffing opportunities Use equity retention to guide bet sizing, barreling, and board coverage **LINKS** · CORE Poker Membership: https://redchippoker.com/launch-core · Understanding Equity Distribution: https://www.splitsuit.com/gto-poker-equity-distribution · Poker Strategy vs. Tactics: https://youtu.be/2_Q3ZbwfKB4 **JOIN US ON DISCORD** Join us on Discord today: https://redchippoker.com/discord

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 relationship to GTO solver output, and the critical distinction between playing GTO and playing exploitatively. This is a must-listen for serious players diving into solvers and anyone questioning whether "just keeping it simple" is the right approach. 🔍 You’ll learn: What simplified poker strategies really are (and what they’re not) How EV loss in solvers is often misunderstood Why simplified strategies may shift complexity to later streets The #1 mistake players make when comparing GTO models When simplification actually makes sense—especially from an exploitative lens. **LINKS** · GTO Gems 2 Poker Book: https://redchippoker.com/gto-gems-2-book · Crushing GTO Poker: https://youtu.be/j8cFt86B8To · EV Poker Formula: https://www.splitsuit.com/simple-poker-expected-value-formula **JOIN US ON DISCORD** Join us on Discord today: https://redchippoker.com/discord

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 discover why knowing your EV on the river is often possible (and expected), but why trying to perfectly map it out preflop is usually a losing battle. This episode teaches you how strong strategic play on early streets naturally leads to clearer, simpler tactical opportunities on later streets — allowing you to pick better spots, make cleaner bets, and avoid costly mistakes. If you’re serious about improving your poker thought process, you’ll learn why building principled, high-level strategic habits matters just as much as finding those sharp tactical lines. Plus, get introduced to tools like EV modeling, simplified tree building, and how solvers fit (or don't fit) into the real-world game. **LINKS** · Poker Workbooks (& More): https://redchippoker.com/poker-books/ · Why Strategy & Tactics Are NOT The Same: https://redchippoker.com/poker-strategy-and-tactics-are-not-the-same/ · EV Poker Formula: https://www.splitsuit.com/simple-poker-expected-value-formula **JOIN US ON DISCORD** Join us on Discord today: https://redchippoker.com/discord

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 sizing, lines, and timing force exploitable mistakes Why out-of-band data like tells and timing are still king How to think laterally about GTO and poker strategy This episode also previews our brand-new PRO course “Myths of Poker” — uncovering common misconceptions even winning players still believe. **LINKS** · GTO Poker Gems 2: https://redchippoker.com/gto-gems-2-book · Join PRO Today: https://redchippoker.com/pro-membership · GTO vs Equity Distribution: https://www.splitsuit.com/gto-poker-equity-distribution **JOIN US ON DISCORD** Join us on Discord today: https://redchippoker.com/discord