The Smallest Poker Game In Town

In this episode, Valerio and Ray discuss the bad reasons we find to call at the poker table. From calling preflop with marginal hands to convincing ourselves that an opponent must be bluffing on the river, they explore why aggression should often come first. Sometimes the better choice is to raise, sometimes it is simply to fold — because the money you save is money too.

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In this episode, Valerio and Ray discuss one of the hardest parts of poker: the downswing. Sometimes you can make good decisions and still keep losing. Strong hands get beaten, draws don't arrive, and confidence can start to disappear. The challenge is recognising the difference between bad luck and bad play, protecting your bankroll, and continuing to make good decisions even when the results aren't going your way.

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In this episode, Valerio and Ray discuss why poker isn't about guessing your opponent's exact hand—it's about thinking in ranges. A strong hand like top pair can still be a fold if the hands your opponent is likely to bet strongly are more often ahead of you than behind. Sometimes you'll fold and discover you would have won, but that doesn't make the decision wrong. Good poker is about making the choice that works most often, not being right every time.

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In this episode, Valerio and Ray look at poker like a business: to make a profit, you first have to invest. Every time you put chips into a pot, you are making an investment, and not every investment will pay off. Aggressive players will inevitably lose some pots, but that aggression can also make opponents fold or encourage them to pay when you have a strong hand. Just like in business, the goal isn't to avoid investing—it's to make sure your profitable investments outweigh your losses.

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In this episode, Valerio and Ray discuss how to play from the big blind. When several players limp, should you raise or simply check? And when everyone folds to the small blind, how should you respond to a limp or a raise? Aggression is often a powerful option, but not every hand needs to be pushed. Small pocket pairs and suited connectors can sometimes be better played cheaply, giving them the chance to develop into monster hands after the flop.

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In this episode, Valerio and Ray discuss how winning and losing can change the way you play. When you're winning, everything can feel easy—players become more cautious against you, fold too much, and your winning momentum can seem unstoppable. But one hand can change everything. Losing is part of poker, and every player will have winning and losing sessions. What matters is how you respond: stay focused, avoid chasing your losses, and keep playing your best strategy regardless of the result.

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In this episode, Valerio and Ray discuss what happens when two different types of tilt combine and make each other more dangerous. After folding patiently for a long time, boredom starts to creep in. Then you finally pick up a big hand like pocket aces, and entitlement takes over—you've waited long enough, so surely you deserve to win this one. When boredom tilt meets entitlement tilt, even a normally disciplined player can push a hand too far and end up losing their entire stack.

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In this episode, Valerio and Ray take on the hyper-passive calling station—the player who rarely raises and almost never folds. Bluffing them is usually a waste of money, but when you have a hand, they can be extremely profitable opponents. Bet for value, adjust your sizing to the strength of your hand, and don't be afraid to go big when you're strong. If someone is willing to call you down with ace-high, give them something to call.

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In this episode, Valerio and Ray explore the danger of complacency. You have a winning system, you're one of the strongest players at the table, and everything seems fine—until the others slowly start catching up. Playing on autopilot can make you predictable and blind to new opportunities. Whether it's poker, tennis or any competitive game, staying curious, creative and focused is essential. What worked yesterday won't necessarily keep you winning tomorrow.

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In this episode, Valerio and Ray explore whether getting noticed at the poker table can actually work in your favour. From an unexpected huge bet or an all-in, to relentless small bets that take control of a passive table, your actions help create an image in your opponents' minds. Even your mannerisms and table talk can make a difference. Getting attention isn't necessarily a bad thing—if you're getting noticed for the right reasons and know how to use that image to your advantage.

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