Thinking Poker

Dim the lights! Jeff Platt is on the show to talk poker and broadcasting with Carlos and Andrew. Why broadcasting? Why poker? What makes for a great poker broadcast? A great interview?Is Jeff Platt the nicest guy in poker?Support the podcast, get daily strategy discussions, *and* be eligible to win a one-month subscription to GTO Wizard by subscribing to Thinking Poker Daily. Receive 10% off your GTO Wizard subscription when you sign up here: GTO Wizard. JEFF PLATT Jeff Platt is a poker broadcaster, commentator, and reporter best known for his work with PokerGO and his “stand up” interviews during the WSOP. Twitter

Caitlyn Arnwine and LoriAnn Persinger return to the show to help us brainstorm solutions to the problems of representation and unequal opportunity in the poker world. In the introduction, Andrew and Carlos console themselves over their runner-up finish at the GPI Awards and Gloria Jackson joins to discuss the event. Caitlyn Arnwine first appeared on Episode 397 as Caitlyn Cobb. She also appeared on our earlier episode on women’s events. We spoke with her husband, Justin Arnwine, on Episodes 398 and 399.LoriAnn Persinger first appeared on Episode 394.Gloria Jackson first appeared on Episode 401. She and Carlos discuss their relationship on Episode 411.Support the podcast, get daily strategy discussions, *and* be eligible to win a one-month subscription to GTO Wizard by subscribing to Thinking Poker Daily. Receive 10% off your GTO Wizard subscription when you sign up here: GTO Wizard. Timestamps0:30 – Intro and GPI Awards Debrief with Gloria Jackson26:30 – Caityln and LoriAnn CAITLYN ARNWINE Caitlyn Arnwine describes herself as a force that makes change. Caitlyn is the former Coordinator of Public Education for @NationalHomeles and Social Media Director of @TJC_DC. Twitter Link LORIANN PERSINGER LoriAnn Persinger is a poker lover, Navy veteran, and serial game show champion with a history in poker media. Twitter

From (semi) professional paintball to house party home games to high stakes LA cash, Fausto Valdez’s path to poker has been unique. He’s formed some strong opinions along the way: about pre-flop raise sizes, the politics of private games, how nits stack their chips, and more. Support the podcast, get daily strategy discussions, *and* be eligible to win a one-month subscription to GTO Wizard by subscribing to Thinking Poker Daily.  Receive 10% off your GTO Wizard subscription when you sign up here: GTO Wizard. FAUSTO VALDEZ Fausto Valdez is a professional poker player and coach with Blueprint Poker Coaching, Solve for Why, and Jaka Coaching. Twitter Link

Isaac Haxton, one of the most successful no-limit hold 'em tournament players, discusses studying, solver limitations, and why he still wears a mask in public. They also talk about interviewing skills, preflop decision-making, study habits, and poker tournament strategy. They touch on mask mandates, COVID spread in hospitals, and the challenges of multiplayer games and achieving a rigorous understanding of the game.

Jorbs AKA Stephen Flavall is a storyteller and strategy games streamer. His current focus is Slay the Spire, but once upon a time he was a professional poker player. He shares that journey with Carlos and Andrew, plus insights into cultivating community, the darker side of streaming, and more.Stephen is the author of Before We Go Live: Navigating the Abusive World of Online Entertainment. You can find him on on Twitch, YouTube, and Discord.Support the podcast, get daily strategy discussions, *and* be eligible to win a one-month subscription to GTO Wizard by subscribing to Thinking Poker Daily. Receive 10% off your GTO Wizard subscription when you sign up here: GTO Wizard. Stephen Flavall Stephen “jorbs” Flavall is a former professional poker player and a leading strategy game streamer on Twitch.tv, where he has a growing 100,000 follower community. He holds multiple world records in difficult strategy games and currently concentrates on Slay the Spire. Twitter Link

Pamela Balzano’s older brother got her into poker, but while he was a professional player, her first interest was in content creation. After launching successful Spanish language YouTube, Twitch, Instagram, and TikTok channels, she is now a serious player as well, as well as an announcer and host for events across Latin America.Pamela recommends Cosmos by Carl Sagan.The author Andrew recommended is James Gleick.Support the podcast, get daily strategy discussions, *and* be eligible to win a one-month subscription to GTO Wizard by subscribing to Thinking Poker Daily. Receive 10% off your GTO Wizard subscription when you sign up here: GTO Wizard. PAMELA Balzano Pamela Balzano is an Argentian poker player, content creator, announcer, and host. She is a member of GGTeam. Twitter Link

Math professor and poker author Ducan Palamourdas returns for another wide-ranging conversation about game theory, finding edges, local metagames, how strategies evolve, and much more. Duncan first appeared on Episode 349 of the Thinking Poker Podcast.Why Alex Beats Bobbie at PokerSlay the SpireSupport the podcast, get daily strategy discussions, *and* be eligible to win a one-month subscription to GTO Wizard by subscribing to Thinking Poker Daily. Receive 10% off your GTO Wizard subscription when you sign up here: GTO Wizard. DUNCAN PALAMOURDAS Dr. Konstantinos Palamourdas, otherwise known as Duncan, is a UCLA instructor, author, columnist and researcher. Duncan holds two master’s degrees (one in pure math and one in Computer Science) and a PhD in Mathematical Logic. He is the author of Why Alex Beats Bobbie at Poker. Twitter Link

Matt Matros is a professional poker player and writer whose works include both fiction and poker books. With Carlos and Andrew, he discusses concepts from his new book, 23 No-Limit Hold ‘Em Hands From 2023, and an interesting pot he and Carlos played together. Matt previously appeared on Episode 301 and Episode 379.Support the podcast, get daily strategy discussions, *and* be eligible to win a one-month subscription to GTO Wizard by subscribing to Thinking Poker Daily. Receive 10% off your GTO Wizard subscription when you sign up here: GTO Wizard. MATT MATROS Matt Matros has three WSOP bracelets and an MFA in creative writing. He is the author of The Making of a Poker Player, The Game Plan, The Poker Brain and the new 23 No-Limit Hold ‘Em Hands From 2023. Twitter

2023 was a banner year for the Thinking Poker Podcast, and we’re counting down our favorite interviews and best strategy content. Helping us out is Chad McVean, who may well have consumed more hours of poker podcasts this year than anyone else on Earth!Support the podcast, get daily strategy discussions, *and* be eligible to win a one-month subscription to GTO Wizard by subscribing to Thinking Poker Daily.  CHAD MCVEAN Chad McVean is a mixed game enthusiast, a connoisseur of fine poker podcasts, and the Social Media Director for Poker Life Media. Twitter

K.L. Cleeton discusses his highs and lows over the years, including memorable WSOP trips and getting stranded by a hotel. The strategy segment explores exploiting opponents who c-bet too often. K.L. shares his experience of being a paralyzed poker player and the sense of community in the poker world.