Michelle Farmer and Natascha Carpenter founded Royal Queens Poker in Atlanta in 2024 after seeing the lack of diversity in other leagues, a journey they shared with Andrew, Carlos, and Gloria Jackson on Episode 459. Now they’re back to discuss the joys and challenges of their rapid growth plus some thoughts on the 2025 World Series of Poker. Thanks…

In this solo voice note, Dr. Tricia shares her thoughts on one of the biggest stories in modern poker history—Leo Margets making the final table of the 2025 WSOP Main Event. Tricia breaks down why this milestone matters far beyond the headline and explores the deeper psychological impact of: Representation and identity in poker Long-term resilience…

Craig Savage is an educator by trade, but he’s been a competitive poker player and a student of Carlos’s for many years. Hot on the heels of his bracelet victory in the $500 NLHE Freezeout, he speaks with Andrew and Carlos about the experience and how he stays on top of the game despite family and professional obligations. In the strategy segment, …

Ian Chan is a Silicon Valley software engineer and a triple draw enthusiast who built his own badugi solver. He talks game theory, artificial intelligence, mixed games, and the underappreciated role of tactile poker experiences. We’ve also got a little in memoriam for Jane Hitchcock, who was our guest on Episode 330. All our interviews with the Uni…

Former Thinking Poker Podcast host Nate Meyvis joins the show to talk about AI, spaced repetition, and his new flashcard site ZippyFlash.com. Meanwhile Carlos drops in with occasional updates while playing the $1500 Shootout at the WSOP. You can join Andrew and Carlos on ClubWPT Gold by signing up at https://clubwptgold.com/?promo=THINK. Receive 10…

This week, we’re bringing you an episode of Risky Business, a podcast about better decision making from our friends Nate Silver and Maria Konnikova. You can find more Risky Business at https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/risky-business-with-nate-silver-maria-konnikova. You can join Andrew and Carlos on ClubWPT Gold by signing up at https://clubwptgold.…

Nosebleed MTT crusher Sam Greenwood is one of the most successful poker players of all time. But how did he get started, how did he rise to the top, and why is he now giving away his secrets in a daily newsletter? Carlos and Andrew get to the bottom of it all in this fantastic interview. You can join Andrew and Carlos on ClubWPT Gold by signing up …

Chris “DeathDonkey” Vitch joins Carlos and Andrew for a lively discussion of poker in all its forms, including why he prefers non-hold ’em games, what hold ’em players get wrong about mixed games, and he approaches mixed game tournaments differently than cash games. You can join Andrew and Carlos on ClubWPT Gold by signing up at https://clubwptgold…

Tom “Tombos21” Boshoff returns to the show to discuss new developments in poker strategy and technology since his last appearance. Alex Sutherland is the source of the “think of a solver as a tool for conducting experiments” idea. We first discussed the idea of AI “intuition” with Michael Bowling of the University of Alberta Computer Poker Research…

In this episode, Gareth and Tricia tackle a timely listener question: What do most players get wrong when preparing for the World Series of Poker (WSOP)? If you’re gearing up for the WSOP (or any major poker series) and want to avoid common pitfalls, this conversation is for you. They discuss: Why tying your self-worth to poker results is so danger…

Five years ago, Jason Su taught the poker world to play with presence. Now he’s back to advocate for playing with joy. We discuss his new book, why most poker players motivate themselves in unsustainable ways, and how to change those habits both at the poker table and in life. In the strategy segment, Andrew discusses game theory in the real world …

Andres Korn grew up playing poker with his friends, but it wasn’t until he saw it on TV that he decided to take it seriously. He bought straight in to the WSOP Main Event and never looked back. Now he’s one of the most successful players in Argentina (and the world!), with an emphasis on mixed games but enough hold ’em proficiency to hold a bracele…

Ariel Shefer wants to be a world champion. He’s tried backgammon, he’s tried bridge. Now, he lives in his car, driving for Uber to earn buy-ins for poker tournaments. He’s not broke (or at least, he wouldn’t have to be); this is how he keeps himself hungry. And maybe how he nets a sponsorship from Toyota, Hilton, Uber, or Virginia Slims… Ariel shar…

Linda Johnson and Jan Fisher are titans of the industry, with over 100 years of poker experience between them. They share stories with Carlos and Andrew about poker rooms in the 1970s and 80s, how and why they changed, the history of Card Player Magazine, the history of Card Player Cruises, the founding of the Tournament Directors’ Association, and…

It’s been two years since Carlos met Gloria Jackson when he contacted about for an interview. Now he lives with her and her two youngest sons, and both their lives have changed dramatically. The two of them share with Andrew what their lives look like now, both on and off the felt. If you aren’t familiar with Gloria, her original interview is well …

In this episode, Gareth and Tricia dive into a powerful listener question from Martin—a poker player with ADHD—who’s struggling to find motivation and structure for his study and play routines. If you've ever wrestled with procrastination, guilt, or balancing poker with real-life responsibilities, this conversation is for you. They explore: Why tig…

Co-owner of the Irish Poker Open Paul O’Reilly discusses the historic event with Carlos and Andrew. Plus the Irish poker scene, tips for visiting Dublin, and more! You can join Andrew and Carlos on ClubWPT Gold by signing up at https://clubwptgold.com/?promo=THINK. Receive 10% off your GTO Wizard subscription when you use this link to sign up to GT…

In this solo voice note, Dr. Tricia Cardner breaks down Phil Hellmuth’s recent announcement that he’s skipping the 2025 WSOP Main Event—claiming it’s become too much of a mental grind. Is the Main Event really an endurance test now? What role does mental stamina play in long tournaments? How can you prepare to go deep when the pressure is on? Trici…

Card player, political scientist, and fan favorite Matt Glassman returns to the show to discuss the Oh Hell! book he’s working on and answer listener questions about American politics. Matt is a frequent Thinking Poker guest who first appeared on Episode 191. Lamont Jones talked Bid Whist with us on Episode 433. You can join Andrew and Carlos on Cl…

Jim Reid, LoriAnn Persinger, and Rob Gardner join Andrew and Carlos to talk about the RecPoker community and how the needs, goals, and experiences of recreational players differ from those of professionals. LoriAnn first appeared on Episode 394 of the Thinking Poker Podcast. You can join Andrew and Carlos on ClubWPT Gold by signing up at https://cl…

Are you into this idea? Comment on Spotify or tag @gazelligpoker or @drtriciacardner on X and let us know.By Poker On The Mind Podcast

Carlos shares his experiences from the GPI awards banquet and a visit with Tom McEvoy. Then he and Andrew discuss two tricky tournament spots with AK. We interviewed Tom McEvoy on Episode 450. You can join Andrew and Carlos on ClubWPT Gold by signing up at https://clubwptgold.com/?promo=THINK. Receive 10% off your GTO Wizard subscription when you u…

Poker on the Mind - Episode 194: Transitioning from MTTs to Cash Games with Gareth James & Dr. Tricia Cardner 💡 Main Topic: Transitioning from MTTs to Cash Games Listener question from Alex: "I'm grinding mid-stakes MTTs but struggling to adjust to the open-ended nature of cash games. How can I adapt my mindset and study habits?" 🔑 Key Takeaways: M…

Winning a major poker tournament isn’t a fast track onto the Thinking Poker Podcast, but when Matt Savage says, “You have to talk to this guy!”, we oblige. And so glad we did! Zak VanKeuren, who won the WPT Prime Championship in December for over $1 million, is a great poker player, but he isn’t just a great poker player. He’s also a holistic welln…

Organizer, advocate, and poker pro Caitlyn Arnwine returns to the show for Black History Month! With Carlos and Andrew, she discusses why Black history is American history, how historical voting rights movements can inform contemporary struggles, how to advocate for Women’s Events, and what this all has to do with poker strategy. Plus, Carlos and A…

Legendary poker guru Alex “Assassinato” Fitzgerald returns to the podcast after a long hiatus to discuss solvers, live cash games, his new book, living in New York during the height of the pandemic, and much more! Alex previously appeared on Episode 84 and Episode 133. His website is PokerHeadRush.com. You can join Andrew and Carlos in the ClubWPT …

Ivonne Montealegre is best known in the poker world for organizing the popular Malta Poker Festival and the new Costa Rica Poker Festival. She shares with Carlos and Andrew about growing up in Costa Rica, living in Malta, how her mother got her into poker, what goes into organizing a poker festival, and her now role as Manager of the SiGMA Poker To…

We are cancelling the ClubWPT Gold Meet Up Game we’d previously announced for Saturday January 25. We still plan to host a Home Game tournament on Saturday February 1 at 5pm Eastern/2pm Pacific. You’ll need password “THINK” to join the home game, and if you haven’t yet signed up for ClubWPT Gold, you can do so at www.clubwptgold.com using promo cod…

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, 24 No-Limit Hold ‘Em Hands From 2024, and the three apply game theory concepts to a triple barrel bluff Andrew attempted. Matt previously appeared on Episode 301, Episode 379, and E…

Pro player and streamer Patrick “Egption” Tardif discusses his background in competitive video gaming, his rocky road to becoming a professional poker player, the joys and challenges of playing on stream, and the new online poker site ClubWPT Gold. You can join Andrew, Carlos, and Patrick on ClubWPT Gold by signing up at https://clubwptgold.com/?pr…

Put off by the exploitative nature of the casino industry, Kim Lund turned to video games instead. Now he’s bringing the two together with Hands of Victory, a game his company Aftermath Interactive hopes to offer for competitive tournament play. He’s also got some ideas about the ethics of the video game industry and how gaming can address climate …

Eugene Katchalov left the world of professional poker at the top, but he’s still around as a recreational player and entrepreneur. In this delightful conversation, he discusses what makes poker fun, what poker needs, and how solvers have changed the game. You can now get two FREE episodes per week of Thinking Poker Daily. Sign up for ClubWPT Gold a…

Jeanne David has worked as the manager of an in-patient drug treatment facility and as the head of Responsible Gaming at PokerStars, but she’s always been a poker player herself as well. On the heels of her induction in the Women’s Poker Hall of Fame, Jeanne joins Carlos and Andrew to discuss her colorful life and her passion for poker. Tickets are…

Hungry Horse founder and live cash crusher extraordinaire Marc Goone joins Carlos and Andrew for a lively discussion of solvers, win rates in live cash, exploiting regs, teaching poker, “lyrical myrical” rappers, and more. 25% off everything (except gift cards) in the Nitcast store through the end of November! You can now get two FREE episodes per …

Vegas-based poker pro Jessica Vierling is famously forthcoming about her struggles: with alcoholism, suicidal thoughts, and holding herself to impossibly high standards. The most important thing, she says, is to be honest and authentic. She is just that in this conversation with Andrew, where they discuss her struggles, her triumphs, her journey fr…

Online poker is returning to the US, and what better way to celebrate than with the 1000th episode of Thinking Poker Daily? To join ClubWPT Gold and get in on the drawings for the $5,000,000 freeroll, sign up now at https://clubwptgold.com/?promo=THINK Support the podcast and get daily strategy discussions by subscribing to Thinking Poker Daily.…

Manuel “Phemo” Bueno Fernandez is a professional poker player from Hamburg, Germany and one of our favorite coaches on GTO Wizard. We talk to him about the beginnings of his fascination with poker during a dark winter in Finland, studying with Fedor Holz, and creating some of the best strategy content on the internet! Support the podcast and get da…

Nate Silver is back on the felt, but there’s a lot more than poker in his new book, On the Edge. He gets deep into it with Andrew and Carlos, discussing everything from the physiology of poker to coaching with Andrew to a an accidental prediction about Carlos. We previously interviewed Nate Silver on Episode 318. Other recommended episodes: Maria K…

Civil rights leader Barbara Arnwine joins returning guests Justin and Caitlyn Arnwine (her son and daughter-in-law) to discuss the ways poker strategy has informed their activism around civil rights and voter suppression. The Map of Shame My Vote Don’t Count by YelloPain Support the podcast and get daily strategy discussions by subscribing to Think…

1983 WSOP Main Event champion Tom McEvoy’s new autobiography, Poker Pioneer, is the perfect impetus for celebrating his storied, decades-long career. With Carlos and Andrew, Tom discusses going pro in the 70s, defeating Doyle Brunson in the Main Event, rubbing elbows with Stu Ungar, writing books with TJ Cloutier, dating Kathy Liebert, repping Poke…

Michelle Farmer and Natascha Carpenter met 8 years ago in a bar poker league. They founded Royal Queens Poker in Atlanta in 2024 after seeing the lack of diversity in other leagues. They discuss with Andrew, Carlos, and Gloria Jackson the challenges and rewards of running a poker business, their own experiences on the real money circuit, and more. …

Bulgarian poker pro Stoyan Obreshkov joins Carlos and Andrew for an incredibly deep and forward-thinking conversation about poker strategy. Topics include efficient study, exploits, ICM, post-ICM, preparing a friend for the Main Event final table, and much more! Get coaching from Stoyan! Support the podcast and get daily strategy discussions by sub…

Jesse Fullen, our guest from Episode 436, was a Content Producer for the WSOP this summer. In this special episode, he discusses the experience and some of his favorite stories he collected. Stefanie Ungar Tom McEvoy Gene Bellar Isabel Yishu Yang Deb Swift Jack Binion Support the podcast and get daily strategy discussions by subscribing to Thinking…

Poker pro and coach Matt Hunt returns to the show to talk deep poker strategy, with an emphasis on multiway pots and postflop ICM. Our latest poker strategy video, reviewing Andrew’s ACR Sunday Special win, is now available from The Nitcast Store. GTO Wizard AI has just received a new update: ICM Postflop Solutions! This new feature will allow you …

This Apestyles interview is everything you’d want it to be and more: great stories, high-level poker strategy, even music recommendations! It’s easy to see why Jonathan Van Fleet is a legend both on and off the felt. You can follow Apestyles on Twitter, Instagram, Twitch, and YouTube. His coaching is available from his website and his seminars from…

It’s pure strategy as Andrew and Carlos answer a series of listener questions about satellite strategy, pot commitment, deepstacked play, 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. Our latest poker strategy video, reviewing An…

Poker is just one of Dee Burks’s many eclectic interests. She’s also a YouTuber, a novelist, a traveler, and much more. Dee has a unique perspective on the game and a deep family history with it, including a great story about Benny Binion. Retirement Rescue YouTube channel Cathedral of the Sun by Dee Burks Caprock Content Consultants Support the po…

Andrew Moxon became Twitter-famous for his blunt, insightful threads about American culture and politics (the Nazi part, specifically). But before that, he authored a popular poker blog, The Goat Speaks. He talks to Carlos and Andrew about what drew him to poker, how Trump’s election changed the way he thought about America, and the dangers of writ…

Darius Studdard’s poker career really took off when he joined a study group first discussed in our interview with Sundiata Devore. We discuss effective and efficient studying, hustle culture (with the help of Gloria Jackson), shot taking, home games, and more. Support the podcast, get daily strategy discussions, *and* be eligible to win a one-month…

Welcome to Episode 193! MTT Coach Gareth James and Peak Performance Mindset Coach Dr. Tricia Cardner are back discussing all things poker strategy & mindset. The hosts continue their WSOP/SCOOP prep series in this episode by interviewing world renowned poker professional Daniel Negreanu. Topics discussed in this episode include: A brief overview of…