Dr. Michael Bowling and PhD candidate Mike Johanson from the University of Alberta Computer Poker Research Group, who first appeared on Episode 79 of the podcast, return to discuss Cepheus, their “essentially” unexploitable heads up limit hold ’em AI and its implications for both poker and artificial intelligence. Plus Nate and Andrew discuss playing top pair on a draw-heavy board.

Timestamps

:30 Hello & Welcome

16:42 Strategy

44:24 Interview: Computer Poker Research Group

Old friend Leo Wolpert joins us to talk about setting goals, taking breaks, and planning for the year. And strategy, of course!

Timestamps

:30 – Hello & Welcome; Planning and Goal Setting

34:42 – Strategy

David Einhorn is the founder and president of Greenlight Capital. He’s made a name for himself in the poker world not only by competing in both of the $1,000,000 buy-in Big One For One Drop WSOP tournaments but by finishing 3rd in the 2012 tournament. Proving that he’s no one hit wonder, David also finished 173rd in the 2014 WSOP Main Event. We talk to him about the appeal that poker holds for him, why he chooses to compete against the best players in the world, and how he prepares for this challenge.

We’ve also got an extra-long strategy segment about playing post-flop in 3-bet pots.

Timestamps

0:30 – Hello & Welcome

6:47 – Strategy: Playing in 3-Bet Pots

47:33 – Interview: David Einhorn

Strategy

PokerStars Zoom No-Limit Hold’em, $2.00 BB (6 handed) – PokerStars Converter Tool from http://flopturnriver.com

Hero (Button) ($228.51)

SB ($172.65)

BB ($223.63)

UTG ($215.56)

MP ($206)

CO ($200)

Preflop: Hero is Button with 10♠, K♥

2 folds, CO raises to $5, Hero raises to $13, 2 folds, CO calls $8

Flop: ($29) A♥, 10♦, Q♥ (2 players)

CO checks, Hero checks

Turn: ($29) J♠ (2 players)

CO bets $18.55, Hero calls $18.55

River: ($66.10) Q♠ (2 players)

CO bets $42.41, Hero raises to $196.96 (All-In), 1 fold

Total pot: $150.92 | Rake: $2.80

Kevin “Kevmath” Mathers’ job title is Manager of Poker Information for Bluff Magazine, but even before he had that position, he was known as the go-to guy for structure sheets, redraws, and just about anything you would want to know about the poker world. We talk to him about his career, his reclusiveness, and his passion for helping the poker world. All that plus straddling strategy!

You can (and should) follow @kevmath on Twitter. You can (and should) vote for the Thinking Poker Podcast in the 2014 Bluff Reader’s Choice Awards.

Timestamps

:30 Hello & Welcome

8:47 Strategy: On Straddling

30:23 Interview: Kevmath

Nick Wealthall is a TV presenter, writer and broadcaster who works in comedy, poker and sports media. He’s got a long history in poker that predates the boom by several years. He shares his evolution from player to writer to presenter, opines on the current state of poker media, and even gazes a bit into the future.

Timestamps

0:30 – Hello & Welcome

6:05 – Strategy:

29:17 – Interview: Nick Wealthall

Strategy

Villain ($240) limps UTG1. UTG2 ($150) raises to $8. BN ($80) calls. SB folds. Hero ($120) calls with 9s 8h in the BB. Villain calls.

Flop:  10s, 9h, 2d. Pot: $28 after rake. Hero bets $10. Villain calls and the other 2 fold.

Turn: Ks. Pot: $48. Both check

River: 10h. Pot: $48. Hero bets $18, Villain shoves.

The second batch of Thinking Poker Premium Podcasts is now available, and tonight you’re getting the first episode FREE. Fresh off of a $1-$2 no-limit game, Andrew and Nate help Carlos Welch take his first steps from tourney donk to cash game crusher. The entire Coaching Carlos series is available for just $19 at www.nitcast.com.

It’s an all-strategy episode as your hosts tackle spread-limit hold ’em, value betting, and playing your image. Don’t forget to support the show this holiday season with the Thinking Poker Amazon Affiliate Link and the fine offerings at www.nitcast.com.

Strategy

UTG+2 limps. Hero raises to $25 with Tc 7c in MP2. SB calls, BB folds, limper calls.

Flop ($80) is Jc 9c X. Two checks, Hero bets $30, SB folds, UTG2 calls.

Turn ($140) Jc 9c X 8h. Check, Hero bets $65, UTG2 raises to $140, Hero calls.

River ($420) Jc 9c X 8h Qx. UTG2 bets $175, Hero calls.

Matt Sienkiewicz is an assistant professor of communications and international relations at Boston College. He’s also a film buff and a poker fan. Matt puts Andrew’s knowledge of Foucault to the test with his analysis of key scenes from Rounders as well as a discussion of power dynamics in the poker world.

To bask in more of Matt’s podcasting prowess, check out the Interpreter Magazine Podcast that he cohosts. You can also follow Matt on Twitter.

Timestamps

0:30 Hello & Welcome

1:45 Strategy: Deepstacked NLHE for Advanced Players

37:39 Interview:  Matt Sienkiewicz

Dara O’Kearney went pro somewhat later in life than your average grinder, but his background in bridge, chess, backgammon, and most recently ultramarathoning made him a natural. He’s also a natural raconteur and an excellent writer. We talk about his unconventional background, the Irish poker scene, his staking business, and more. For even more stories, follow Dara on Twitter or check out his excellent blog.

Timestamps

0:30 – Hello & Welcome

8:29 – Strategy: a hand that will haunt you for the rest of your life

45:33 – Interview: Dara O’Kearney

Strategy

Blinds 6K-12K with a 2K Ante. Villain (350K) opens to 25K, Hero (500K) calls ATo on the button, everyone else folds.

Flop As 8s 6h. Villain checks, Hero bets 75K into 84K, Villain calls.

Turn 3h. Villain checks, Hero shoves, Villain calls.

Jim Greer, founder of Kongregate, is an avid poker player. Now he’s using game theory to combat “dark money” in American politics through CounterPAC, an organization that threatens to outspend candidates who accept anonymous donations. He joins the show to talk about his “gamesplaying” approach to campaign finance reform and the threat that Sheldon Adelson and others pose to American democracy.

:30 Hello and welcome

3:38 Crazy happenings at the poker table

8:31 Strategy: out of position with a set in a multiway pot

23:51 Interview: Jim Greer

bovada 20+2 tourney

blinds 40/80

villain 1 stack 6344

villain 2 stack 3393

hero in BB stack 7575

Villain one opens to 280 from middle position and action folds to small blind who calls.

Hero looks down at two black 3s and completes for 200.

pot goes to 840

flop 4d9c2d

all checks around

turn 3d

we turn a set and the small blind checks to us

hero bets 528 and villain one calls with villain 2 folding

pot 1896

river comes 6c

final board run out

4d9c2d3d6c

hero holds 33 for a set and bets 766