The Mechanics of Poker Podcast

Agustín went from 5NL to playing 40K NL - the biggest online cash games in the world - in six years. In this episode he breaks down how he game-selects, how he manages risk and bankroll on the way up, why he never let a downswing spiral, and the daily habits that built one of the fastest, steadiest rises we've covered on this podcast.

He Reached Financial Freedom And His Life Felt Over | Dirk "VeniVidi" Gerritse | EP73 Dirk "VeniVidi" Gerritse reached financial freedom at the end of 2022. No alarm. In bed until 11. No reason to get up. The months that followed were some of the unhappiest of his life. In this episode, Dirk breaks down what actually happens when the goal is reached, why poker identity becomes a liability when you...

In Episode 72, our guest Felipe "Lipe Piv" Boianovsky talks about how he used GTO as a psychological defense for years, defaulting to solver-approved lines not to optimize play but to protect himself from judgment whenever exploits went wrong. What looks like discipline can be a performance leak. Felipe walks through how insecurity shows up in high-pressure spots, how working with performance coac...

In Episode 71 of the Mechanics of Poker Podcast, we sit down with Yoshi "Play4livin" Paco Nagaki to break down the part of high-stakes poker nobody warns you about, the moment the body sends the bill. Most players think the climb is the hard part. Yoshi disagrees. He believes the real test starts after you get there, when chronic stress, lost sleep, and a body that's quit on you force you to choos...

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 1,00...

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...

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 mos...

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...

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 obsessi...

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 mindse...

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

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...

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, intuiti...

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 d...

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,...

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...

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 importa...

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 awa...

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...

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 ho...

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 kno...

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 bal...

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,...

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 pr...

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 co...