The Smallest Poker Game In Town

Following our recent episodes about online tournaments (“Grow your Bankroll at No Risk” and “Tournament Strategy”) we put what we had learned into practice. Both of us ran deep in tournaments earning big boosts to our bankrolls. Listen to what happened and celebrate our 100th episode with us.  Send comments and requests for future episodes to: valerio@valeriosara.com ray@raymorris-hill.com

The dealer does not just deal the cards, they control the play of the hand. Valerio and Ray discuss how the dealer ensures your home game runs smoothly. Send comments and requests for future episodes to: valerio@valeriosara.com ray@raymorris-hill.com

How does your ego impact your play? Regardless of your experience, ego can prevent you playing your best. Send comments and requests for future episodes to: valerio@valeriosara.com ray@raymorris-hill.com

How should you play when you win a free entry in a big online tournament? In this episode Valerio and Ray discuss the lessons they have learned from playing in these tournaments. From the early rounds to the final table, the best strategy will vary at each stage.  Send comments and requests for future episodes to: valerio@valeriosara.com ray@raymorris-hill.com

With discipline and some luck you can use the incentives offered by online poker sites to increase your bankroll. Tournaments can make a big difference and in this episode Valerio and Ray explain how. Send comments and requests for future episodes to: valerio@valeriosara.com ray@raymorris-hill.com

In this concluding part of our chat with Emma we discuss how lessons learnt at the poker table can be translate to life in general.  Emma has been a regular player in The Smallest Poker Game in Town for the last two years and in this episode she talks candidly about how poker has helped her enhance and learn new skills that prove useful  outside the game. Send comments and requests for future epis...

Emma has been a regular player in The Smallest Poker Game in Town for the last two years.  In the first part of our chat with Emma we discuss how she started playing poker, the challenges facing a new player and what she has learnt from playing a low stakes home game. Send comments and requests for future episodes to: valerio@valeriosara.com ray@raymorris-hill.com

In this episode we discuss situations when you have a feeling to be targeted from another player. Is it just a feeling? Is it real? How should you react? Send comments and requests for future episodes to: valerio@valeriosara.com ray@raymorris-hill.com

In this episode Valerio and Ray discuss situations where you feel compelled to take a specific action. Why does this happen and how can you consider the other options? Send comments and requests for future episodes to: valerio@valeriosara.com ray@raymorris-hill.com

Regardless of the level you play, poker can be a confusing, complex game. Valerio and Ray discuss ways to simplify your play in your low stakes home game. Send comments and requests for future episodes to: valerio@valeriosara.com ray@raymorris-hill.com

How do you play more aggressively without becoming a maniac? In this episode we explore simple ways you can inject more aggression in your game. Your opponents may not like it but your bankroll will. Send comments and requests for future episodes to: valerio@valeriosara.com ray@raymorris-hill.com

Fear can stop us playing our best poker.  In this episode we discuss four fears - the fear of looking stupid, the fear of your opponent drawing out on you,  the fear of not getting paid off and finally, the fear of losing your bankroll.  Send comments and requests for future episodes to: valerio@valeriosara.com ray@raymorris-hill.com

In this episode Valerio and Ray discuss how they have improved their game by taking the time to study. Whether it be reading books, watching videos or chatting with your poker friends, studying poker can be fun and profitable. Send comments and requests for future episodes to: valerio@valeriosara.com ray@raymorris-hill.com

One way of knowing you are playing well is if the other players are complaining about your play. That normally means you are doing something different and disrupting their gentle, cosy game. Valerio and Ray discuss how this can translate to a winning strategy. Send comments and requests for future episodes to: valerio@valeriosara.com ray@raymorris-hill.com

So you are a winning player, but that doesn't mean you win every session. What happens when you find yourself losing? In this episode we discuss to stay tough in the face of adversity.  Send comments and requests for future episodes to: valerio@valeriosara.com ray@raymorris-hill.com

Should you prepare for your home game? If you know the line up of players you are facing, preparation can give you an edge.  Who is tight, who is loose? What about position? A few minutes thought before you sit down to play can add to your win rate.  Send comments and requests for future episodes to: valerio@valeriosara.com ray@raymorris-hill.com

Let's face it, nobody likes to fold. However, if you want to be a winning player, you must be able to know when to fold and when to continue.  Send comments and requests for future episodes to: valerio@valeriosara.com ray@raymorris-hill.com

Our home game has changed. Players are getting better and it is tougher to win. Here are three adjustments we plan to make in order to stay ahead. Send comments and requests for future episodes to: valerio@valeriosara.com ray@raymorris-hill.com

Do you ever have an excuse for losing?  In this episode we discuss our excuses, only to find they mask the fact that we made mistakes. By challenging your excuses you can start to understand why you lost and so improve your win rate. Send comments and requests for future episodes to: valerio@valeriosara.com ray@raymorris-hill.com

Our weekly home game has been going for over six years. Valerio and Ray discuss the factors that contribute to a successful home game. Send comments and requests for future episodes to: valerio@valeriosara.com ray@raymorris-hill.com

Valerio and Ray discuss the importance of paying attention to unusual behaviour  pre-flop, on the flop, on the turn and on the river. Even if you are not involved in the hand there are valuable lessons to be learnt about the players in your game. Send comments and requests for future episodes to: valerio@valeriosara.com ray@raymorris-hill.com

Valerio and Ray discuss how to make decisions at the poker table. Should you rely only on  intuition or just apply logic? Can you combine both? Send comments and requests for future episodes to: valerio@valeriosara.com ray@raymorris-hill.com

In this episode Valerio and Ray discuss three of the most significant lessons learnt from playing in our home game. Learning these lessons will definitely help you win more. Send comments and requests for future episodes to: valerio@valeriosara.com ray@raymorris-hill.com

In this episode Valerio and Ray revisit the concept of playing in a box. The box is a framework within which you usually operate. When is it correct to stay well within your box, tweak it to exploit other players or jump into a completely new box? Send comments and requests for future episodes to: valerio@valeriosara.com ray@raymorris-hill.com

Valerio and Ray consider introducing different buy-in choices. In addition to 100 Big Blinds for £10 we look at offering a short stack option of 50 Big Blinds for £5 and a deeper stack option of 150 Big Blinds for £15. Does it make much difference to the game? Send comments and requests for future episodes to: valerio@valeriosara.com ray@raymorris-hill.com