Distraction is one of the silent enemies at the poker table. From things you can control — like your phone, social media, or checking markets — to distractions built into the game itself, such as table talk, background noise, and other players’...

In this episode, Valerio and Ray talk about those hands that sting — folding to a bluff, losing to a rivered two-outer — even when your decisions were spot on. It’s easy to feel bad in the moment, but if your opponents are making the mistakes a...

In this episode, Valerio and Ray break down the art of exploitation at the poker table — spotting patterns, reading tendencies, and using your opponents’ habits against them. From folding against sudden river aggression to pounding on limpers w...

In this episode, Valerio and Ray reflect on a dip in performance in their home game after proudly claiming their winning categories. Were they trying to protect the title instead of playing their best game? From blunted aggression to fear of lo...

What do Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic have to teach us about poker? In this episode, Valerio and Ray explore how the grace of Federer, the grit of Nadal, and the meticulous prep of Djokovic can shape your game at the table. From emotional contro...

In this beginner-friendly episode, Valerio and Ray break down how to read the board in Texas Hold’em. From memorising your hole cards preflop to spotting danger on the flop, turn, and river — you’ll learn the key shortcuts to see what hands mig...

What if Clint Eastwood, Harrison Ford, Mel Gibson, and Sylvester Stallone sat down for a game of poker? In this episode, Valerio and Ray imagine how their iconic movie personas would play: Eastwood sharp and silent, Ford tricky and adventurous,...

Poker is a game of decisions — but emotions are always there, whispering in the background. In this episode, Valerio and Ray talk about the emotional journey of playing: the highs of lucky streaks, the lows of brutal beats, and the calm require...

This one’s for the beginners — but also for organisers who want to help new players settle in. In this episode, Valerio and Ray go over the basics: hand rankings, when pots are shared, what decisions you face at each street, and who shows their...

At the poker table we repeat sentences that sound wise… but fall apart under real analysis. In this episode we break down the classics — “he always calls,” “you can’t bluff him,” “I didn’t want him to fold when I had the nuts” — and show how th...

In this episode, Valerio and Ray talk about the power of pausing. Whether you're holding the nuts or navigating a massive pot, slowing down can mean the difference between a big win and a missed opportunity. From timing tells to mindset shifts,...

In this episode, Valerio and Ray break down the chaos of multiway pots. What do you do when half the table limps in and suddenly you’re playing five-handed to the flop? Learn how to control the field with smart pre-flop raises, why position is ...

In this episode, Valerio and Ray explore what it means to play like water — flexible, adaptive, effortless. No forcing. Just flow. They talk about how drilling and preparation make this fluid style possible, and how letting go of control can of...

In this episode, Valerio and Ray talk about how the game changes when you move from a standard 100 big blind stack to 250. What adjustments do you need to make? How deep stacks shift the dynamic, the risks — and the rewards.

In this episode, Valerio and Ray explore poker variance through the metaphor of sailing: you can’t control the wind — but you can control the boat. Just like in poker, the ups and downs will come, but how you steer makes all the differ...

Valerio and Ray break down the journey from the losing end of poker — starting as a whale, then a fish, then just a losing player — all the way to breakeven. What separates these levels, and what kind of progress do you need to climb out? Becau...

In this episode, Valerio and Ray talk about the different levels of winning at poker — from breaking even to crushing games. How many hands do you need to track your real win rate? How fast can you move up? And why reaching breakeven is already...

Valerio and Ray explore how strong positions can fall apart when emotion takes over. From a historical military blunder to slipping up in sport or poker, they unpack what happens when you lose focus — and how to stay grounded when it matters mo...

In this episode, Valerio and Ray talk about the early signs of tilt — the subtle mental shifts that happen before the big mistake. It’s not just about losing a hand — tilt starts with tension, distraction, impatience, or ego. Spot it e...

In this episode, Valerio and Ray talk about what to do when you’re tired, not playing your best, and can’t leave the game. From tightening up to simplifying decisions, here’s how to survive a session without making it worse.

In this episode, Valerio and Ray break down what every new player should know before joining a home poker game — from formats and etiquette to mindset and how to enjoy yourself without feeling lost. A friendly guide for your first seat at the t...

In this episode, Valerio and Ray talk about changing gears at the poker table — when to do it, why it matters, and how to disguise it behind a run of good (or bad) cards. It’s not just what you play — it’s how and when you shi...

In this episode, Valerio and Ray share what they’ve seen improve in each other’s game over the past year. From confidence to creativity, the key takeaway is clear: if you don’t try new things, you’ll never grow. Change starts with risk.

In this episode, Valerio and Ray talk about how to recognise strong players at the table. Aggression, emotional control, and creative thinking — these are the signs you’re up against someone who knows what they’re doing.

In this episode, Valerio and Ray ask: Do you always have to win? They talk about the danger of chasing wins at all costs, and why sticking to your strategy — even when you lose — is key to long-term success. Play well, stay calm, and let go of ...