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Aaron Mermelstein won a $50K online poker prize at age 15... and never saw a dollar of it.

In this week’s Table 1 Podcast, Merms opens up about everything — and we mean everything in a rare interview. From sneaking onto Party Poker as a teenager to going broke after discovering Vegas table games, it’s a rollercoaster of ambition, pain, and absurd poker highs and lows.

Show Notes:
00:00 Video Games To The Varkonyi Effect
03:18 Freeroll to Bankroll
07:10 Finding Table Games
11:57 Working vs Going Pro at Poker
19:12 The $100 Date
23:13 NY Poker Games & Backing Deals Gone Right
29:08 The Borgata WPT & Tourney Breaks
37:58 Post WPT Tourney Circuit
39:38 The Home Game Scene
44:34 Poker: The Great Equalizer
46:36 COVID & Game Running
49:45 Miami Life & The M Casino
48:42 Chip On The Shoulder High Roller
1:02:21 WSOP Main Event Run
1:10:38 Post Main Event & The Future!

Table 1 Links:
Play with Us In Vegas: https://table1.vegas
Play with us Online: https://play.phenompoker.com/register?r=Table1
Follow us on X: https://x.com/table1vegas
Follow us on Instagram: https://x.com/table1vegas
Watch us on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@UCCXgQ2MnNidaOP-9PPTG6Sg
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3fkMXT5gsZxgHuDBxUcY59

Art's Links:
Learn to Beat Slots (Seriously) at SlotMaps: https://slotmaps.com
Run your own poker game at PokerHQ.io: https://pokerhq.io
https://x.com/ArtParmann

Justin's Links:
https://x.com/justinyoung07

The More Rake Is Better Giveaway: https://table1.vegas/rake
Play with us at Table 1: https://table1.vegas

Imagine this:

You’ve got $1,400 to your name. Twins on the way. You’re not a household name. And you’re trying to make it in the most brutal game on earth: tournament poker.

Most people fold. Jesse Lonis didn’t.

In this episode of the Table 1 Podcast, Jesse drops a heater of a story. It's got all the hits:

• 🧓 Poker tips from Grandma
• 🏀 Streetball mindset from the Bronx
• 💔 Getting kicked out of college
• 💰 Turning $1,400 into $250K when everything was on the line
• 🍼 Becoming a dad of twins and leveling up instantly

Oh — and $21M in live earnings later, he’s still real, raw, and building his brand without faking a damn thing.

This episode is grit + heart + humor in podcast form. You’ll walk away inspired, entertained, and probably Googling “Vanilla Gorilla Poker” just to see him in action.

👇 Hit play. You won’t regret it.

Show Notes

• 0:00 – Poker Needs More Characters
• 5:00 – Upbringing: From Alaska to Upstate NY
• 10:00 – Basketball in the Bronx, Getting Jumped in College
• 15:00 – Turning Stone Poker Loop
• 20:00 – Limit Hold'em Rescue Mission
• 25:00 – First Tournament Spark
• 30:00 – $1,400 to $250K with Twins on the Way
• 35:00 – WSOP Breakout Year
• 40:00 – First High Roller, First Backer
• 45:00 – $1.6M Makeup, $5M Heater
• 50:00 – Crushing Live Poker with Intuition
• 55:00 – Social Media Strategy & Brand Building
• 1:00:00 – GPI POY, Travel, & Family Balance
• 1:05:00 – Managing Variance with a Backer
• 1:10:00 – WSOP High Roller Swings
• 1:15:00 – Dangerous at 25/50 PLO Online
• 1:20:00 – Building a Brand Without Being Fake
• 1:25:00 – Family Life, Future Plans & Closing Thoughts

Jesse's Links:
https://x.com/JesseLonis
https://www.instagram.com/jesselonis
https://www.youtube.com/@JesseLonis

Table 1 Links:
https://table1.vegas
https://x.com/table1vegas
https://instagram.com/table1vegas

WSOP is over, but that doesn't mean the action stops at Table 1! Catch up with Art, Justin and get to know our special guests Paul Gunness & Jason Zipfel to talk about High Stakes Summer, our summer vlog. Haven't seen it? Watch it here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZdHHoUOK4gscENtoJO11AWuNyH1ElUe8&si=_B8J5B2tE7RoPL71Want to play online with Justin & Art? Find us on Phenom Poker. Use our link and you could win $100. Plus sometimes we do random giveaways to people we've referred. Sign up here: https://play.phenompoker.com/register?r=Table1Got the taste for high stakes? Play with us at Table 1! ➡️ https://table1.vegasFollow Paul: https://x.com/mrpaulgunnesshttps://www.instagram.com/mr.paulgunnessFollow Jason:https://www.instagram.com/jason_zipfe1Follow Art:https://x.com/artparmannFollow Justin:https://x.com/JustinYoung07Table 1 Links:https://table1.vegashttps://x.com/table1vegashttps://instagram.com/table1vegas

This isn’t just a poker story. It’s about second chances, addiction and recovery, underground private games, running a secret sports betting syndicate, and how Greg reinvented himself (and his obsession) into a growing sports card empire: Savage Breakers Club.

▶️ Topics Include:

• Early poker days and the Full Tilt era
• How he played 2 million hands of $1/$2 for Supernova Elite
• Struggles with addiction and getting sober at Aria
• The truth behind his 2012 WSOP heater
• Why private games dried up after his win
• Running a 45-person sports betting operation
• Launching a booming live-streaming card break business
• Why he drinks almond milk on stream (yes, really)

👀 Whether you’re a poker player, entrepreneur, or just love comeback stories — this is one you won’t forget.

Show Notes:

• 0:00 – The Milkman enters
• 3:30 – The “Glory Days” of online poker
• 7:15 – Building a bankroll with 2 million hands of $1/$2
• 10:00 – Dropping out, getting sober, and climbing back
• 14:50 – Blackout nights, Bobby’s Room, and rock bottom
• 20:05 – Getting clean (again) and making a run at WSOP 2012
• 24:44 – Winning the Main Event… 7 months sober
• 28:10 – Private games and why success can lock you out
• 34:50 – Running a secret 45-person sports betting syndicate
• 40:20 – From poker to pack breaks: building Savage Breakers Club
• 48:00 – The origin of “The Milkman” nickname
• 51:30 – What poker taught him about business
• 56:00 – Is the Main Event win still paying off?
• 59:10 – Advice to young grinders (and card flippers)

Greg's Links:
Follow Savage Breakers Club: https://www.whatnot.com/s/ZGMOx9Cr

Table 1's Links:

• Play in Vegas with us: https://table1.vegas
• Play online with us: https://joinphenompoker.com
• Follow us on:
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Play with us on Phenom Poker: https://play.phenompoker.com/register?r=Table1

Play with us at Table 1: https://table1.vegas

Matt Salsberg isn’t your typical poker pro.

He wrote on Weeds. Sold scripts to Showtime, HBO, Amazon. Created a sitcom with Lee Majors. But just as it was about to take off… Hollywood did what Hollywood does.

Then came cancer. Then came the comeback.

This episode is a masterclass in storytelling, reinvention, and chasing edge — from scriptwriting rooms to final tables. Matt shares how he went from ghostwriting for Curb Your Enthusiasm to battling colon cancer and finishing 70th in the Main Event — all while pitching shows that networks weren’t ready for (but should’ve been).

🧠 If you’re into storytelling, poker, Hollywood drama, or what it means to take a shot when everything’s stacked against you… you’ll love this one.

• 00:00 🎬 Intro & First Impressions
• 02:00 🃏 Hollywood Meets Poker
• 10:00 🧠 A Life of Obsession
• 20:00 ✍️ Breaking Into TV
• 30:00 📺 The One That Got Away
• 45:00 ♠️ The Poker Arc Begins
• 55:00 💔 Dreams, Rejection & Redemption
• 1:10:00 🩺 Cancer, Chaos & Survival
• 1:30:00 🔁 Coming Back to Life
• 1:45:00 🎯 The Final Chapter (For Now)

https://x.com/msalsberg

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https://instagram.com/table1vegas
https://table1.vegas
https://youtube.com/@table1vegas

https://x.com/justinyoung07

https://x.com/artparmann

It's hard enough to survive in the gambling world. But to survive for as many decades as Steve has is nothing short of incredible. He's seen it all. From Stu Unger beating his local gin club up at 13 years old.There's no way we got to all of the stories but we sure hit the highlight reel. Enjoy Episode 82 - Steve Zolotow (The Bald Eagle)------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Like poker?Play with us online at Phenom Poker: https://joinphenompoker.comOr play with us in person at Table 1: https://table1.vegasSubscribe to the Table 1 newsletter. High Stakes Vegas. In Your Inbox. Https://Table1.beehiiv.com------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------📌 Timestamps: (Coming soon. Sorry it's WSOP and we're slow.)

In this special episode of Table One Podcast, Chris Brewer joins hosts Justin Young and Art Parmann to share his incredible journey from elite collegiate runner to high-stakes poker champion. Chris provides fascinating insights into the mental game of poker, revealing the highs and lows of competing at the top levels, including dealing with brutal downswings and capturing WSOP glory.

From hilarious anecdotes at Commerce Casino to strategic breakdowns of his WSOP bracelet wins, Chris offers a unique glimpse into the thrilling world of high-stakes poker.

📌 Timestamps:

• 0:20 – Intro & Chris Brewer's WSOP draft picks
• 3:59 – Transition from elite running to poker
• 8:12 – Early days in poker and college home games
• 15:37 – Moving up stakes and struggles at Oceans 11
• 20:05 – Importance of friendships in poker
• 22:17 – High-stakes games at Commerce Casino
• 29:04 – Funniest low-stakes poker story
• 31:27 – Massive upswing and "Live at the Bike"
• 37:43 – High-stakes tournament swings and staking dynamics
• 47:47 – Emotional challenges of high-stakes poker
• 53:03 – Financial insights and relationships with backers
• 1:00:05 – Winning the WSOP $250k High Roller bracelet
• 1:11:28 – Winning the WSOP 10k Single Draw bracelet unexpectedly
• 1:14:46 – Plans for upcoming WSOP season
• 1:17:00 – Chris Brewer's involvement with Poker Coaching

♠️ Like poker?
Play with us online at Phenom Poker

Or play with us in person at Table 1
Subscribe to the Table 1 newsletter. High Stakes Vegas. In Your Inbox.
https://table1.beehiiv.com

In this episode of the Table One Podcast, legendary poker pro Ben Lamb joins Justin Young and Art Parman to reveal some of his wildest gambling stories. From a seemingly innocent flip that netted him $50,000 betting only $100 at a time, to accidentally mixing a $25,000 bottle of Macallan with Coke, Ben holds nothing back. Plus, relive the epic story of the $67,000 hole-in-one golf bet that left everyone stunned.Episode 80: Ben LambJoin us for a fun, casual, and insightful conversation that captures the high-stakes thrills and hilarious mishaps from one of poker's best.Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more episodes!#Poker #BenLamb #HighStakes #TableOnePodcast------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Like poker?Play with us online at Phenom Poker: https://joinphenompoker.comOr play with us in person at Table 1: https://table1.vegasSubscribe to the Table 1 newsletter. High Stakes Vegas. In Your Inbox. Https://Table1.beehiiv.com------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Ben's Links: https://Yeet.comhttps://x.com/BenbaLamb------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Subscribe for more behind-the-scenes stories from the biggest names in poker and gambling.New episodes every week from Table 1 Podcasthttps://table1.vegasFollow us on Instagram: Instagram.com/table1vegasFollow us on Twitter: x.com/table1vegas#BenLamb #WSOP #PokerLegends #HighStakesPoker #Table1Podcast #GamblingStories

After winning the 1996 WSOP Main Event and locking up millions, Huck Seed became a poker legend… and then seemingly disappeared.

In this episode of the Table 1 Podcast, we sit down with the man himself to unpack the insane highs, brutal lows, and prop bets that defined his life after winning it all.

• 🃏 Play with us online at Phenom Poker
• 🏆 Join our private Vegas game at Table 1
• 📩 Subscribe to the Table 1 Newsletter: High Stakes Vegas. In Your Inbox.

We cover everything:

• The legendary 3 H’s rule for winning at gambling
• How he made a million by 21 — and nearly quit the game
• Collapsing mid-golf during a $35K prop bet
• The wild insult hurled at him in his first big LA poker game
• Why he almost missed registering for the Main Event he ended up winning
• And what brought him back to poker after years in the shadows

This one’s part poker history, part life philosophy, and part “WTF did I just hear?”

🔥 Watch now and see why Huck Seed is one of the most fascinating, unpredictable, and misunderstood players in poker history.

New episodes every week from the Table 1 Podcast.

• 🎥 table1.vegas
• 📸 Instagram.com/table1vegas
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#HuckSeed #WSOP #PokerLegends #HighStakesPoker #Table1Podcast #GamblingStories

Play with us online at Phenom Poker: https://joinphenompoker.comPlay with us at Table 1: https://table1.vegas------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Episode 78: Derek WoltersYou ever stake a buddy just because he ran hot in your home game? Yeah, me too. We've all done it. Invested in a friend. Invested in a rando. Ignored the markup. Thought, "Hey, we’re all crushers, right?"Wrong.Today we’re joined by a guy who actually knows what he’s doing. Derek Wolters has been buying poker pieces for over 15 years. Profitably. Grab a drink. Grab a pen. You’re gonna want to take notes.Derek's Links:https://derekwolters.comhttps://x.com/derek_woltersTable 1 Links:https://table1.vegashttps://x.com/table1vegasinstagram.com/table1vegas youtube.com/@Table1VegasPhenom: https://joinphenompoker.com Art's links:https://x.com/artparmannSlotMaps - Learn to Beat Slot Machines (seriously) - https://slotmaps.comPokerHQ - Your Poker Network, Upgraded. https://pokerhq.ioJustin's links:https://x.com/justinyoung07Phenom Poker - https://play.phenompoker.com/register?r=JYPokerAbout Table 1 Podcast and YouTube Channel:Welcome to the Table 1 Podcast, your ultimate destination for everything high-stakes poker. Hosted by poker enthusiasts Art Parmann and Justin Young, our podcast brings you in-depth interviews with the biggest names in poker, captivating stories from the poker world, and insights into the game’s strategies and trends.Whether you're a seasoned player or new to the game, our channel offers something for everyone. We cover high-stakes cash games, tournaments, gambling, and the latest poker news. Our content includes:Exclusive Interviews: Conversations with top poker players, industry experts, and rising stars.Poker Strategies: Tips and tricks to improve your game, from basic concepts to advanced techniques.Poker News: Stay updated with the latest happenings in the poker world.Entertainment: Enjoy tales of epic poker sessions, amusing anecdotes, and behind-the-scenes stories from the poker community.Our mission is to create a fun and informative space where poker enthusiasts can come together to learn, share, and enjoy the game. Don’t miss out on our engaging episodes and insightful discussions that bring you closer to the heart of poker.Don't miss this engaging #poker #podcast. Explore popular poker vlogs and podcasts like those by Andrew Neeme, Brad Owen, Ryan Depaulo: Degenerate Gambler, Jaman Burton, CzechRaiseCharles, Mariano Poker, Raising The Nuts, Rampage Poker, Matt Vaughn, Ben Deach, PokerKraut, Detroit Poker, Marle, Jaime Staples, Jeff Gross, Lex Velhuis, BBZStaking, Raise Your Edge, Daniel Negreanu, Jeff Boski, and Doug Polk.From Zero to Hero: Poker's Biggest Success StoriesPoker Legends: Their Rise From Humble Beginnings to High Stakes GloryThe Grind to the Top: Inspiring Poker Success Stories You Won't BelieveFrom Broke to Bankrupt to Millions: The Wild Ride of Poker SuccessPoker Legends: Secrets to Success & Life's Biggest WinsFrom Broke to Billionaire: Poker's Ultimate Life LessonsThe Mental Game of Poker: How to Win at LifePoker Pro's Guide to Building an Empire (Beyond the Table)The Biggest Blunders in Poker: How to Avoid Them in LifePoker Masters on Overcoming Adversity: Lessons for Everyone