The Rec Poker Podcast

This is the first of two parts of an interview with poker professional Matt Berkey, one of the founders of the Solve for Why Academy, a poker training organization.

I have been playing tournament poker recreationally for 6 years and feel like I have been learning strategy piecemeal as I have increased how much I play. However, I often feel like I’m lacking an overall approach to the game; like some of the tools I have in different situations are not really congruent with each other; like they don’t necessarily fit into an overall strategy -- and I am wired wi...

What are the various types of staking arrangements that are out there (for both pros & recreational players)? Have you personally had investors or invested in others (what types of arrangements)? What are the pros & cons? Any advice for less experienced recreational players who want to move up in stakes but don’t have the personal bankroll to do it? Ideas on financial support/backing to help make...

Bad beat stories are incredibly common in poker rooms everywhere, and many of us feel that others are luckier than others. How can we handle the luck factor in poker and our emotional response to that? What kind of advice do you give someone who consistently gets it in good in the biggest spots in tournaments, but seems to always lose?

Throughout our hand examples, we have heard a number of different thoughts about bet sizing post-flop, but I would like to dig a little bit into this directly. I know our pros prefer to address specific hand situations, but I would really like our listeners to be able to understand a bit more of the strategic theory behind bet sizing on the flop. Let's assume blinds are 100/200 and we all have at...

In prior episodes we have talked about bet sizing to open pots including the potential of varying the size base on stage of tournament, position, and the adjustments for limpers. This question is specifically about the risk & reward of playing at loose tables early in tournaments. In many of the weekly tournaments I play ($100 or less), a raise to 2.5 to 3.5 big blinds invites 4-5 calls most of th...

Many of the books, and even input from our resident pros, is within the context of a larger buy-in tournament which is generally much deeper stacked and longer blind levels. What are some the key things we need to bear in mind when considering input about those tournaments and how it translates to the small, weekly tournaments? These are tournaments where you perhaps start with 10,000 chips and fa...

Steve discuss his strategies going into the Pot O' Gold tournament at Running Aces which features 6 day 1 flights, buy backs, and an accumulator bonus. He discusses how to approach the end of day 1 depending on your overall strategy in the tournament, some general tournament strategies he is fine-tuning, and a specific hand or two from the tournament.

In this episode we address a second question from rec player Don Dukate: When I have a decent stack nearing the bubble (bagging for day 2 or the money bubble), I think my play tends to become too loose/aggressive and I lose a lot (if not all) of my chips. Is this just a natural part of things or what things should I consider to see if I have a leak or am playing sub-optimally?

In this episode we address a question from rec player Don Dukate: I sometimes get a big stack early, maybe first three levels. I was looking for input how to play the big stack. Do you apply more pressure, see more flops, or other? I don't seem to capitalize on this advantage and am not sure what should be my overall approach; or changes to my current approach.

$11 6-max online tournament We are about 40th place of the 180 remaining from about 400 entries; top 54 will get paid. We have 28k chips with blinds at 25/500 (so 56 big blinds) Our opponent (or “villain”) in this had is about 3rd in chips with 67k •Villain in the cut-off has recently added quite a bit of chips to his stack and has picked up his aggression, he quickly went from 11k to 67k in the p...

This situation if from the Running Aces Avalanche tournament submitted by Doug Behrens. It is broken down by Jonathan Little as well as host Steve Fredlund and other recreation players Steve Olson, Taylor Maas, and Rob Washam. 1.Level 6 of day 1, 12 levels played day 1 2. 58k chips, average 24k, blinds 50,200, 400 3. My table image TAG, table very TAG except 4. Villain seems LAG 65k 5. From hijack...

This situation if from the Running Aces Avalanche tournament submitted by Doug Behrens. It is broken down by Jonathan Little as well as host Steve Fredlund and other recreation players Steve Olson, Taylor Maas, and Rob Washam. 1.Level 6 of day 1, 12 levels played day 1 2. 58k chips, average 24k, blinds 50,200, 400 3. My table image TAG, table very TAG except 4. Villain seems LAG 65k 5. From hijack...

In this episode we hear from 10 players about a situation involving AQ suited under-the-gun. We hear from Professionals (Jonathan Little, Chris "Fox" Wallace, and Mike Schneider) along with Recreationals (Taylor Maas, Doug Behrens, Stacey Nelson, Steve Olson, Derek Smith, Rob Washam & host Steve Fredlund). Here’s the situation for this week; similar assumptions to last week but a different hand sc...

In this episode, Jonathan Little, Chris "Fox" Wallace, Taylor Maas, Doug Behrens & host Steve Fredlund discuss a specific scenario facing a button raise with A5 suited in the big blind: * 10 person table in early stages of tourney * Blinds are 300/600 with 100 ante * Everyone has 30,000 chips (50 big blinds) * Every player is a standard tight aggressive player * Folds to player on button who raise...

In this episode, Jonathan Little, Chris "Fox" Wallace, Derek Smith, Taylor Maas, Doug Behrens & host Steve Fredlund discuss a specific scenario facing a raise with KQ suited in late position: * 10 person table in early stages of tourney * Blinds are 300/600 with 100 ante * Everyone has 30,000 chips (50 big blinds) * Every player is a standard tight aggressive player * Folds to player in UTG+2 who...

In this episode, Jonathan Little, Mike Schneider, Derek Smith, Taylor Maas & Steve Olson discuss some of their most difficult spots they have faced.

In this episode, host Steve Fredlund summarizes his key takeaways over the first 60 episodes. On the eve of Running Aces' "Cold Hard Cash" tournament, Steve is using this as a way to prepare to play his A-game for the event.

In this episode, host Steve Fredlund and several guest contributors explore how to play small & medium pocket pairs, including both preflop & postflop as well as in & out of position.

In this episode, host Steve Fredlund facilitates a discussion around a hand submitted by recreational player Jason Ackerman. Here is that situation: Couple hours into the tournament average chip stack is about 23,000. I have 35,000. I believe blinds are at 400/800. One limper we are on the button and I raise to 2000 with 9/7 of Clubs. BB calls has 14,000 behind. Limper calls and is big stack ~80,0...

Tilt is something most players struggle with and it can take many different forms. In this episode, you will hear advice from host Steve Fredlund, a few other recreational players, and our experts Jonathan Little, MIke Schneider, and Dr. Tricia Cardner.

Hand Scenario: $280 buy-in tournament with 6 day 1's which includes buy backs (if advance to day 2 twice, you play the bigger stack and get $1,200 for the small one that is forfeited). Start with 20,000 chips and will play 16 30 minute levels on day 1. Advanced with small stack in day 1A and playing day 1B. Have a very tough table but have managed to build from 20k up to 60k about half way through...

In a special edition, we move away from strategy for a week and celebrate the success of the All-in for Africa VII tournament by hearing interviews with several players that were done at AIFA. Thanks to everyone who was involved in this great tournament with great impact.

In this episode, we consider the pros & cons of wearing sunglasses and hoods. This topic was triggered by Mike Johnson. You will hear thoughts from your host (Steve Fredlund) resident experts (Jonathan Little, Chris "Fox" Wallace, Mike Schneider), as well as Dr. Tricia Cardner and Zach Elwood.

In this episode, we look at playing post-flop when we were the pre-flop caller. This topic was triggered by Mike Johnson and others. You will hear thoughts from your host, Steve Fredlund and resident experts Jonathan Little, Chris "Fox" Wallace, and Mike Schneider.