The Official Red Chip Poker Podcast

The block bet is a play from the pre-solver era of #poker which many players view with suspicion. Making a small bet in the hope of avoiding a much larger one from an opponent certainly lacks a firm theoretical basis. Like many classic plays, however, modern theory reveals that there is a place for the block bet in today's game. While the rationale is rather different, the old block bet has experienced a renaissance as part of the "micro-bet metagame."    TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Introduction: What is a Block Bet? 0:40 The Classic Block Bet Explained 1:21 Why Block Bets Lack Mathematical Basis 2:52 Block Bets vs Thin Value Bets 4:12 How Solvers Actually Use Small River Bets 7:09 The Modern Block Bet Resurgence 8:53 Why "Blocking" is Flawed Terminology 9:34 Better Alternatives: Micro Bets & Under Bets 11:30 The Micro-Bet River Metagame 12:15 How to Exploit Small River Bets 15:30 Raising Against Micro Bets 16:44 Advanced Meta Game Adjustments 18:50 Key Takeaways & Final Thoughts   RELATED LINKS ·      **NE

Much of modern #poker strategy revolves around the battle between poker ranges; our own and that of our opponent. But is ranging always the best approach to reaching a decision, particularly since our opponent's range is at best a guess.   In this podcast episode, coach w34z3l looks at strategies that largely ignore traditional ranging. These data-driven approaches are based on how our opponents play in reality, rather than some theoretical abstraction. Ranging still has its place, but consistent poker winners need these additional weapons.   TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Introduction: Ranging Rationale 0:27 Is Range-Based Analysis Still Effective? 0:54 Modern Alternatives: GTO & Data Analysis 2:29 The Guesswork Problem in Ranging 4:07 GTO Analysis vs Traditional Ranging 5:13 How GTO Players Actually Think 7:56 Data-Driven Exploitative Strategies 8:34 Using Pool Data Without Precise Ranges 11:30 Static Game Plans vs Dynamic Adjustments 14:01 When Ranging Is Still Necessary 15:35 GTO vs Exploitative: Which Wins? 17:58 A

Do you equate the mental game of #poker with tilt avoidance? Then this episode of the podcast will be a huge eye-opener. Sure mental resilience is a critical part of playing winning poker, but there are many other edges you can develop through mindfulness. Directed study moves more concepts into unconscious competence, making decisions faster and more accurate. Creating a flow state will optimize your performance and thus your hourly rate. A solid and complete mental game is the ultimate poker edge. TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Introduction: The Mental Game 0:43 Adult Learning Model Explained 1:02 Unconscious Incompetence to Unconscious Competence 5:21 How Tilt Exposes Skill Gaps 7:35 The Inchworm Concept 10:32 Injecting Logic to Combat Tilt 13:47 Recognizing Accumulated Tilt 15:32 Should You Adjust Strategy When Tilted? 17:57 Types of Tilt: Running Bad, Injustice, Mistake Tilt 20:10 Entitlement Tilt and Variance 21:15 Desperation Tilt: When to Quit 22:21 The Zone: Playing Your A+ Game RELATED LINKS - Why Your Poker Mind

Maximizing your #poker hourly rate extends well beyond simply playing well. If playing online, for example, how many simultaneous tables gives you your best results? What is your optimal session length? How do you even survive the poker grind?   While the answers to many of these questions depend on the individual player, there are many commonalities that can greatly boost the hourly rate of most players. Creating a grinding schedule, taking shots, balancing study and playing time, and bankroll management are among the topics discussed in this episode.   TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Introduction: The Poker Grind 0:30 Hourly Volume & Multi-Tabling Strategy 1:10 The Yerkes-Dodson Law for Optimal Performance 2:26 Setting Volume-Based Session Goals 4:42 Managing Variance Through Volume 7:42 Creating a Grinding Schedule 10:30 Bankroll Management & Shot Taking Strategy 12:07 The 12+1 Shot Taking Method 14:32 When to Check the Cashier 16:30 Study vs Grinding Time Ratio 17:04 Opportunity Cost of Study Time 18:04 Real

In the previous episode of the podcast, we discussed how GTO #poker requires mixing. Typical solutions returned by solvers include using multiple bet sizes in a given spot, with each size being used at a specific frequency.   While this is all very well in theory, how does one handle mixing in practice? If GTO tells you to bet pot 30% of the time, and half-pot 70% of the time, what do you actually do when the action is on you? The answer is we must randomize. How to randomize to maximize win-rate is the topic of this episode, meant for intermediate to advanced players.   TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Introduction: What is Randomization in Poker? 1:06 Understanding Solver Output & Mixed Frequencies 2:11 How to Use RNG for Mixing 3:30 Combo-Level Mixing Explained 4:40 Why Precise Mixing Doesn't Impact Win Rate 6:33 Can Opponents Detect Imbalanced Mixing? 8:51 Hand-Level Mixing Strategy 11:00 Category-Level Mixing: The Practical Approach 14:00 Which Type of Mixing Should You Use? 15:26 Weak vs Strong Randomization 1

Have you heard high-stakes #poker players claiming that they play a GTO strategy? That is a myth that is quickly disproved; the general GTO solution to poker is currently unknown. Even if such a solution was available, memorizing solver output and its mixing frequencies would be impossible. It is also the case, however, that GTO solvers have radically improved our understanding of the fundamentals of poker. This podcast episode breaks down the practical takeaways from GTO research, with a particular emphasis on GTO traps to avoid.   TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Introduction: The GTO Myth 0:48 Why Nobody Actually Plays Pure GTO Poker 2:22 High-Stakes Players Who Claim to Be "GTO Players" 4:14 The Problem with Solver Memorization 6:03 How Players Are Misled by GTO Claims 7:42 Training Content Focused Only on GTO 9:30 The Danger of Solver Misuse for New Players 11:00 Card-Removal Effects vs. Fundamental Strategy 12:06 The RNG Mixing Myth 14:32 Suggestions for Better Poker Study 15:29 Why Pure GTO Players Are a Red Flag

Playing #poker well can be viewed as making the highest-EV decision at every opportunity. In some situations, such as facing an all-in, calculating EV is relatively trivial. But what about more complex situations, particularly on early streets, where the EV formula is hard to apply? Enter EV modeling; an approach that estimates the EV of different actions by modeling multiple branches of the game tree. In this episode of the Red Chip Poker podcast, coach w34z3l presents several practical EV modeling methods so you can optimize your poker decisions.   TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Introduction to EV Modeling 0:23 What is EV Modeling? 3:15 Tools for EV Modeling 3:33 CardRunners EV (CREV) 6:02 Limitations of CREV 8:29 Excel and Spreadsheets 10:52 Solvers and EV Modeling 13:01 Why Solvers Don't Work for Exploitative EV 13:38 Node-Locking Misconception 17:07 The Ideal EV Modeling Tool 20:10 Practical EV Modeling Examples 24:56 Managing Model Complexity 25:30 Conclusion and Next Steps   **RELATED LINKS** - Jo

In the season premiere of season 8, w34z3l breaks down the concept of minimum defense frequency, with an emphasis on how MDF can lead to inappropriate defense frequencies in certain spots. GTO solutions frequently involve defense frequencies that violate MDF, suggesting such lines allow us to be auto-exploited. And yet GTO solutions are generally understood as being unexploitable. This episode reconciles this apparent contradiction, and explains how you can construct practical defense frequencies in common situations.   **RELATED LINKS** · Upgrade To PRO Now: https://redchippoker.com/pro-membership · The Exploitative Edge (Book): https://redchippoker.com/the-exploitative-edge - Exploitative Poker Strategies Beyond GTO: https://youtu.be/_Jx3YAf3y1E?si=WRvj4dotH5SPeogi - Defending Yourself Correctly In Poker: https://redchippoker.com/correct-poker-defense/   **JOIN US ON DISCORD** Join our free poker Discord today: https://redchippoker.com/discord

Unlock the key pillars of exploitative poker strategy in this exclusive audiobook preview from The Exploitative Edge. In Chapter 4, you’ll learn how to maximize profits against imperfect opponents by adjusting your play beyond rigid GTO theory. From knowing when to build monster pots to avoiding low-confidence traps, this episode lays out six powerful strategies that will elevate your game and punish weaker opposition at every level. This audiobook chapter was narrated by co-author James "SplitSuit" Sweeney Ready to get your copy of The Exploitative Edge? eBook: via RCP Paperback: via Amazon

Is your understanding of position in poker costing you EV? In this season 7 finale of the Red Chip Poker Podcast, you’ll learn why thinking in terms of position alone is no longer enough—and how the concept of formational awareness can bring serious clarity to your strategy. Coach W34z3l takes you deep into the subtle yet critical differences between various formations—like Button vs. Big Blind or Cutoff vs. Hijack—and how each one impacts everything from c-bet frequency to overbetting strategies to exploitative bluff-catching. You’ll see how GTO solvers treat the same flop very differently based on the exact formation, and how many players make costly mistakes by ignoring these nuances. Whether you’re playing single-raised pots or 3-bet pots, in position or out, this episode will help you move beyond generic poker strategy and toward more precise, formation-aware decision making. If you're serious about improving your game, this discussion offers a powerful new lens for thinking about positional dynamics.

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

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 k

If you’ve ever heard someone say “I’m raising a polarized range on the flop” and thought wait, that doesn’t quite make sense — you’re not alone. In this episode of the Red Chip Poker Podcast, Coach W34z3l introduces a new term you’ll want to add to your poker vocabulary: pseudo polarization. While traditional polarized ranges make perfect sense on the river—where you’re typically betting either your strongest value hands or your weakest bluffs—the same logic falls apart when you try to apply it to early street play. That’s where pseudo polarization comes in. It describes the kind of range composition you see in flop and turn solver outputs: some strong draws, some mid-strength hands, and a mix of weak bluffs that don’t quite fit the classic definition of polarization. This is a deeper, theory-focused episode that will challenge the way you think about bluff combos, equity distribution, and the limits of GTO shortcut terms like “polarized.” You’ll walk away with a clearer understanding of: Why solvers raise

If you’ve ever struggled with poker math mid-hand—fumbling with ratios, converting to percentages, and second-guessing your decisions—this episode is going to feel like a breath of fresh air. In “Bad Poker Math”, Coach Weasel breaks down one of the most common sources of confusion at the tables: relying on outdated ratio-based math. Whether it's calculating pot odds, implied odds, or bluff-to-value frequencies, traditional approaches often overcomplicate simple decisions and slow you down when it matters most. This episode lays out a smoother path: think in percentages, eliminate conversions, and streamline your thought process with easy-to-remember math shortcuts. You'll learn not only how to make sharper calls and folds faster, but also why simplifying doesn’t mean dumbing down—it means cutting through tradition to get to the core of better poker decisions. **LINKS** · Preflop & Math Poker Workbook: https://www.splitsuit.com/poker-preflop-math-workbook · CORE Poker Course: https://redchippoker.com/launc

If you’ve ever struggled to know when to check-raise the flop—or felt unsure whether your current strategy is leaking EV—this episode is for you. We break down one of the most common and instructive spots in poker: big blind vs. button on a dry flop. Using solver-informed analysis, you’ll walk away with a clear understanding of which types of hands check-raise profitably, where these hands fall on the equity spectrum, and how the modern approach differs from traditional polarized thinking. This isn't just a theory dump—it's a guided look at how to interpret solver output in a practical, actionable way. You’ll explore how check-raises are distributed across strong value hands, semi-bluffs like gutshots and open-enders, and even some surprisingly middling pairs. Along the way, you'll learn why the classic idea of a polarized range doesn’t fully apply and how mixing strategies help achieve balance in this spot. Whether you play live or online poker, this strategic cross-section will sharpen your intuition and he

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.

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.

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 f

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-distributi