Ante Up Poker Magazine

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Chapter 4 Ep. 30 A New World Champion and Alaska Awaits Aug 08, 2026

Show notes

This week on the Ante Up Poker Podcast, Joe and Elle break down the WSOP Main Event finale, celebrate the new World Champion, talk about the class shown heads-up, and get ready to set sail for Alaska! Here is the AI article that was referenced. Then, Call the Floor tackles a tournament situation you almost have to hear to believe, and HOTW features a big draw, an aggressive opponent, and a decision that turns into an even tougher one on the river. Finally, Joe’s One Outer looks at the criticism that follows every World Champion and why poker was never about playing perfectly—it’s about being ready when your opportunity comes.

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Chapter 4 Ep. 29 You Can’t Play Every Game Jul 31, 2026

Show notes

Elle is on location in Jacksonville for the Ladies International Poker Series at bestbet, and we get her first impressions of the room, the familiar faces she’s already run into, and the rest of the weekend slate. Back home, we recap a wild night of Omaha Hi/Lo in the Patreon game, where Mortis finally broke through for his first win of the season. USC collected the ChicagoJoe bounty, and Ben landed on the points bubble, which means a certain side bet is still very much alive.

Then we look ahead to the WSOP Main Event final table starting Monday with 22-year-old chip leader Lucas Jumalon leading the final nine, and why Advanced Poker Training’s million-hand simulation is picking Greg Mueller. Plus, Doug Polk steps back from The Lodge, and we run through this year’s Hall of Fame finalists.

Call the Floor: A $1/$2 game at the Golden Nugget where one player silently slides out $15 while the next player simultaneously announces $20. The dealer freezes, the table starts offering opinions, and nobody calls the floor.

Hand of the Week: $2/$5, everyone $800 deep, and our listener has pocket nines. We break down the hand not the player. Did we play it better?

Joe’s One Outer: Nobody gets buried under bad options, you get buried under good ones. Game selection is a life skill, why saying yes to eleven worthy things leaves you with eleven mediocre ones. Pick your table, then play it with all you’ve got.

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Chapter 4 Ep. 28 Sycuan Spotlight Jul 24, 2026

Show notes

This week on the Ante Up Poker Podcast, we sit down for Table Talk with Joe Mackin of Sycuan Casino Resort, three years running as Southern California’s Best Poker Room. We talk San Diego vibes, and the upcoming Ante Up Poker Tour Stop in conjunction with the SoCal Classic. On Call the Floor, a bettor pushes chips and announces “one hundred” at the same time, but the stack comes up short. Was the floor right to lock him in at $85, or should verbal govern? Our Hand of the Week breaks down a $1/$3 spot with AQ suited, then I close with a One Outer on protecting your blinds, and why folding isn’t flinching.

See you at the tables, A-Team.

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Chapter 4 Ep. 27 The Next Best Thing Jul 18, 2026

Show notes

This week on the Ante Up Poker Podcast, the WSOP Main Event final table is locked and the “August Nine” are set to battle for $10 million and the bracelet at Paris Las Vegas. In Table Talk, we introduce some of the players, and the notable names who fell just short. Plus the mid-tournament shot-clock bombshell that had players fuming, the chilling story of a pro robbed after cashing, a record-breaking series, a downtown poker room makeover, and where the Ante Up Tour heads next.

In Call the Floor, a first-time WSOP player, a ticking clock before the break, and a bathroom line that changes everything. One quick fold sparks a rules debate that has us asking: is this really worthy of a penalty? You make the call.

For Hand of the Week, it’s $2/$4 Seven-Card Stud. Split aces look great off the deal, but one very scary board and a tricky opponent turn every street into a genuine decision. When your big pair is never the nuts, do you have the discipline to make the call that matters?

And Joe wraps it up with a One Outer on aces, bad flops, and learning to be okay with the next best thing.

We’ll see you at the tables!

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Chapter 4 Episode 26: The Dealer and Player Grind Jul 10, 2026

Show notes

This week on the Ante Up Poker Podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Jasmine Klapperich to discuss an important study focused on the health and wellness of poker dealers, why the research matters, and how the poker community can help. We also catch up on the latest from the WSOP Main Event and preview an upcoming LIPS Championship.

In Call the Floor, a player tables what appears to be the winning hand… until a dealer mistake creates a controversial ruling.

Patrick breaks down a tricky Hand of the Week involving a flopped monster, a dangerous board, and a decision that sparks plenty of debate.

Then Joe closes the show with a One Outer about one of the most important skills in poker—and in life: knowing when it’s time to change gears.

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Discord: Join us to discuss Ante Up Magazine, The podcast or poker in General.

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Chapter 4 Ep. 25 More Than Just a Card Game Jul 03, 2026

Show notes

Joe and Elle are back from an incredible week of poker cruisin’, and they’re sharing stories from the trip, why Poker Player Cruises has them even more excited for Alaska in August, and a few unforgettable moments both on and off the ship. They also preview our upcoming Ante Up Poker Tour stop at Sycuan Casino Resort, recap the latest World Series of Poker news, and announce the upcoming Patreon game schedule.

In Call the Floor, Elliott settles a debate from a home game tournament involving an under-raise all-in from the button and whether the big blind still has the right to raise.

This week’s Hand of the Week features a $2/$5 cash game where turning the second-nut straight leads to a massive decision.

Then Joe closes the show with a One Outer inspired by a simple photo from our Discord that perfectly captures what makes poker so special.

Thanks for listening, A-Team. We’ll see you at the tables!

Click here for our Linktree. It is a quick resource to get you to our magazine, podcast, YouTube, and more.

Click here to purchase your Pour Caddy (The Swiss Army Knife of Tumblers) – Use code ANTEUP

comfrt.com/ELLE73474. Your link for the most comfortable hoodie on the planet.

Discord: Join us to discuss Ante Up Magazine, The podcast or poker in General.

Click here to check out Octopi Poker

Chapter 4 Ep. 24 The Empty Seat Jun 26, 2026

Show notes

Joe and Elle are cruising this week, but the show rolls on with a full slate of poker discussion. In Call the Floor, Elliott tackles a tournament director’s nightmare after one table mistakenly receives significantly larger starting stacks than the rest of the field. When the error is discovered several levels later, the floor implements a controversial strategy. Was it the right decision, and are there established rules for handling a situation like this?

In this week’s Hand of the Week, Joe and Patrick find themselves deep in a tournament against a table maniac who seems willing to put chips in the pot with almost any two cards. Holding AJ from the small blind, Patrick and Joe break down every street.

Then in Joe’s One Outer, Joe reflects the empty seats left behind by players who quietly disappear from our regular games. It’s a thoughtful reminder that while we remember hands and tournaments for a while, it’s the people we meet along the way who leave the lasting impression.

No Table Talk this week as Joe and Elle are finishing up their cruise adventure, but they’ll be back next week with new stories, poker tales, and plenty of laughs.

Listen now wherever you get your podcasts, and as always, we’ll see you at the tables.

Chapter 4 Ep. 23 Protect Your Hand Jun 19, 2026

Show notes

From the poker room to the poker cruise, we’ve got a packed episode this week.

On Table Talk, Joe and Elle discuss Sycuan Casino being named Southern California’s Best Poker Room for the third straight year, the new permanent World Series of Poker retail store, Calvin Anderson making history with his second $10,000 Razz Championship, and the arrival of Buc-ee’s in Arizona. Plus, we give a well-deserved shoutout to Ante Up Magazine contributor Jasmine Klapperich for earning her PhD and helping poker players stay healthy both on and off the felt.

Call the Floor has Elliott weighing in on a controversial tournament situation involving a player who appeared to seek input from his rail during a major river decision. Was it a joke, outside assistance, or something deserving of a penalty? And can the floor remove railbirds who cross the line?

In Hand of the Week, Patrick and I face a river decision with AQ suited after turning additional equity and applying pressure against an active opponent. Should we call or find the muck? Patrick and Joe break it down.

And in Joe’s One Outer, a simple piece of cruise advice, “wear sunscreen”, sparks a poker-themed tribute to Baz Luhrmann’s famous spoken-word classic. It’s a collection of lessons learned from years around the table, culminating in one rule every poker player should remember… protect your hand. If you don’t know the song that this week’s One Outer references here it is.

Join Joe, Elle, Patrick, and Elliott for another week of poker news, strategy, rules, and stories from the everyday poker player.

Click here for our Linktree. It is a quick resource to get you to our magazine, podcast, YouTube, and more.

Click here to purchase your Pour Caddy (The Swiss Army Knife of Tumblers) – Use code ANTEUP

comfrt.com/ELLE73474. Your link for the most comfortable hoodie on the planet.

Discord: Join us to discuss Ante Up Magazine, The podcast or poker in General.

Click here to check out Octopi Poker

Chapter 4 Ep. 22 Stack Chips, Not Headlines Jun 13, 2026

Show notes

This week on the Ante Up Poker Podcast, Joe and Elle discuss Kristen Foxen capturing her sixth WSOP bracelet and whether it’s finally time to stop labeling her as the best female player and recognize her as one of the best tournament players in poker. They also look at Mike Holtz’s second bracelet, a bizarre WSOP hand where an accidental verbal call turned J-3 into a tournament-saving straight, and the latest promotions from Bluffers, including a chance to win a WSOP Main Event package starting from just a $3 buy-in.

Here is a link to the videos that we mentioned as well.

https://youtube.com/shorts/8XMxx7FI-A4?si=P5byVxzHhHF1MFf-

https://youtube.com/shorts/OuucDgbUhRo?si=b5XBvWWZchXryPUJ

Elliott Schecter answers a rabbit-hunting debate. If a room allows rabbit hunting, can a player involved in the hand veto seeing the remaining card?

Patrick and Joe break down a Hand of the Week featuring pocket deuces, and in this week’s One Outer, Joe explores why the loudest player at the table isn’t always the most dangerous, while examining the power of quiet confidence.

Listen, learn, and laugh with the A-Team as we get you ready for another week at the tables.

Click here for our Linktree. It is a quick resource to get you to our magazine, podcast, YouTube, and more.

Click here to purchase your Pour Caddy (The Swiss Army Knife of Tumblers) – Use code ANTEUP

comfrt.com/ELLE73474. Your link for the most comfortable hoodie on the planet.

Discord: Join us to discuss Ante Up Magazine, The podcast or poker in General.

Click here to check out Octopi Poker

Chapter 4 Ep. 21 Patrick Finally Wins Jun 06, 2026

Show notes

This week on the Ante Up Poker Podcast, we kick things off on Table Talk by recapping another fun Patreon game. Patrick finally broke through for his first victory, collected the double prize pool, and now we all have to suffer through at least a month of victory laps. We also discuss some of the dealer mistakes that have made headlines early at the WSOP, the challenges dealers face during long series, Maria Ho’s exciting family news, and even the earthquake that rattled Las Vegas and surrounding areas.

On Call the Floor, Elliott answers a question that has probably confused more than a few poker players over the years. In a $1/$2 game with a $5 straddle, is the minimum raise to $8 or $10?.

In this week’s Hand of the Week, we find ourselves in a spot that may have been created after opening a marginal suited connector from middle position. After firing two barrels and arriving at a river that completes an obvious straight, the question becomes whether to pull the trigger on a triple-barrel bluff or wave the white flag. Patrick and Joe discuss whether the story was strong enough to get our opponent to fold.

Joe’s One Outer ties everything together with a look at table image. Whether you realize it or not, every player at the table has formed an opinion about you. The key isn’t whether you have an image, it’s whether you understand it well enough to use it as a weapon.

Join Joe, Elle, Patrick, and Elliott for another fun week of poker stories, strategy, rules, and conversation. As always, we’ll see you at the tables.

Click here for our Linktree. It is a quick resource to get you to our magazine, podcast, YouTube, and more.

Click here to purchase your Pour Caddy (The Swiss Army Knife of Tumblers) – Use code ANTEUP

comfrt.com/ELLE73474. Your link for the most comfortable hoodie on the planet.

Discord: Join us to discuss Ante Up Magazine, The podcast or poker in General.

Click here to check out Octopi Poker

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