The Official Red Chip Poker Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Playing And Defending Against The UTG Straddle · S8E19 Sep 15, 2026

Show notes

Straddles used to be restricted to a fun element of live play, but an increasing number of online #poker sites have now added them to their tables. This "third blind" has a profound effect on preflop strategy, both on the straddle itself and from the other positions at the table.

In this podcast episode, we look at a common online 6-max format with a 2bb UTG straddle and 0.1bb ante. The straddle is intrinsically unprofitable, but the information presented here will allow you to minimize your losses from all three blinds, while maximizing your advantage elsewhere.

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Introduction: UTG Straddle Strategy Overview 0:48 Why UTG Straddles Are -EV 1:34 Solver Setup & Effective Stack Sizes Explained 2:57 RFI Frequencies: Button, Small Blind & Big Blind 4:37 Small Blind Strategy vs UTG Straddle 6:03 Big Blind Defense: When to Complete vs Raise 7:46 ISO Raising Against Completes (20% Rule) 10:44 Big Blind Complete Strategy & UTG Straddle Response 12:54 Defending vs Button RFI from Each Position 16:57 Small Blind RFI Defense Strategy 20:11 Big Blind RFI Defense & 70%+ VPIP Spots 21:51 Key Takeaways: Small Blind Disadvantages 23:46 Completing Strategy: Why It's More Important Than You Think 25:26 Three-Betting & ISO Ranges Summary 26:31 Practical Tips for Live Games

RELATED LINKS

· The Low-Stakes Poker Playbook: https://redchippoker.com/low-stakes-poker-playbook/

· GTO Preflop Ranges In Straddle Pots: https://youtu.be/ulXns1P5MeA?si=E50aXHFtTggyrHJH

· Should I Straddle In Poker: https://redchippoker.com/should-i-straddle-in-poker/

· Why You Lose Money In Straddle Pots: https://youtu.be/WfjiK4FF_RI?si=i9eze1M0oUtjbqPM

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A Novel Poker Play: Shoving With A Capped Range · S8E18 Sep 01, 2026

Show notes

When you see big bets over multiple streets from an opponent, what do you conclude? Most studied #poker players would assume they are facing a polarized range, and respond accordingly. But against a strong player, that need not be the case.

In this episode of the podcast, coach w34z3l explains the concept of capped shoving; that is, making large bets to get all in with a capped range. By understanding this counterintuitive play, you will be able to profitably add it to your game, while defending against it when used by tough opponents.

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Introduction: Capped Shoving Explained 0:24 Aggressive Play & Range Construction 1:06 Polarized Ranges vs Capped Ranges 2:05 Example Hand Setup: Button vs Big Blind 2:51 Flop Action: J85 Rainbow Board 3:54 Solver Strategy: Trapping with Premium Hands 5:32 Why Capped Ranges Work 5:58 Turn Decision: Shoving with Capped Range 7:16 Bet Sizing Strategy: Small vs All-In 9:19 Common Pattern in 3-Bet Pots 10:02 Stack-to-Pot Ratio Importance 11:16 Equity Denial vs Value Betting 14:48 When Protection Beats Trapping 17:59 Deep Stack Adjustments (200bb) 18:45 Key Takeaways & Final Thoughts

RELATED LINKS

· The Low-Stakes Poker Playbook: https://redchippoker.com/low-stakes-poker-playbook/

· What Are Capped Ranges? https://www.splitsuit.com/capped-ranges-in-poker

· Ranging Rationale: https://youtu.be/FPy6KWkRgJY?si=T8RL0J6rTqfqkrGv

· Range Arrangement: https://youtu.be/KMCQRNJroPY?si=BW9etsHzgMje7-zq

**JOIN US ON DISCORD**

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Poker Study: The Formations That Matter Most · S8E17 Aug 18, 2026

Show notes

Most #poker players acknowledge that the more you study the better your results become. However, other life commitments mean that, in practice, we have a limited amount of time to devote to studying poker. This suggests it is critical to focus on the topics that really matter.

In this podcast episode, coach w34z3l summarizes an analytical study that determines the poker scenarios that have the biggest impact on your win-rate. This provides a priority list of poker formations to explore. One key takeaway: most players should devote time to their play out of the big blind.

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Introduction: What Is Prioritized Learning? 1:20 How to Measure a Scenario's Impact 2:10 Tombos21's Study: The Priority Score Explained 4:23 Top Priority #1: Button vs Big Blind Single Raised Pot 4:57 Top Priority #2: Small Blind vs Big Blind Single Raised Pot 5:54 Hijack vs Big Blind Outranks Cutoff vs Big Blind 7:34 Importance of Big Blind Defense & OOP Aggressor Play 9:00 OOP Aggressor Spots Are Low Priority 9:17 How Important Is Cutoff vs Button? 14:15 Three-Bet Pot Priority: Button vs Small Blind 15:40 Button vs Big Blind Three-Bet Pot 16:22 Four-Bet Pot: Small Blind vs Big Blind 20:55 Scenario Groups 24:12 Most Important Position at the Table: Not the Button 26:42 Start With Big Blind Defense, Not Button Play 28:05 Single Raised vs Three-Bet Pots: Closer Than You Think 30:00 Don't Sleep on Three-Bet Pots 32:15 Summary & Key Takeaways

RELATED LINKS

· The Low-Stakes Poker Playbook: https://redchippoker.com/low-stakes-poker-playbook/

· Weekly Poker Study Guide: https://www.splitsuit.com/ultimate-weekly-poker-study-guide

· Top 15 Key Poker Skills: https://redchippoker.com/top-15-poker-skills/

· Effective Poker Study: https://youtu.be/maaDxqtQgT4?si=zUCAsQdpvms4qaOZ

**JOIN US ON DISCORD**

Join our free poker Discord today: https://redchippoker.com/discord

Befuddling Your Opponents With Micro Bets · S8E16 Aug 04, 2026

Show notes

Do you tend to use a limited number of bet sizes in your strategy? Such simplified approaches have value, but many #poker players are missing out on profitable spots by restricting their sizing. This applies both to large and small bets.

This episode of the podcast explores the small end of the spectrum, specifically looking at micro bets as small as 10% of pot. In addition to being theoretically motivated, these tiny bets have the added benefit of forcing your opponents into unknown territory where they are liable to make mistakes.

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Introduction: What Are Micro Bets in Poker? 0:25 Evolution of Bet Sizing: From 50% to 33% Pot 0:50 Breaking the Mental Block: Betting Below 33% 1:39 Micro Bets vs Under Bets: Key Terminology 2:07 Scenario 1: Three-Bet Pots: When to Use 20% Sizing 3:09 Triple Broadway & Monotone Textures Strategy 5:12 Scenario 2: Four-Bet Pots: The 10% C-Bet 6:46 Monotone & Paired Boards in Four-Bet Pots 9:23 River Play Out of Position: Small Bet Theory 11:49 Triple Barrel Strategy with Micro Bets 14:20 River Donk Bets: The 10% Sizing Secret 19:21 Turn Donk Bets on Paired Boards 21:42 Handling Opponent Aggression vs Small Bets 24:27 Conclusion: Implementing Micro Bets in Your Game

**LINKS**

- The Low-Stakes Poker Playbook: https://redchippoker.com/low-stakes-poker-playbook/

- 6 Exploitative Strategies You Need To Use: https://youtu.be/GJxoNiuWuRU?si=f4rOw5mX91XeQBE1

- How Bet Sizes Change The Final Pot Size: https://www.splitsuit.com/poker-bet-sizes-final-pot-size

- Bet-Sizing Techniques: https://redchippoker.com/bet-sizing-techniques-for-poker-players/

**JOIN US ON DISCORD**

Join our free poker Discord today: https://redchippoker.com/discord

The Fundamentals Of Heads-Up Hold'em · S8E15 Jul 21, 2026

Show notes

Many #poker players regard heads-up play as the purest form of the game. You are locked in a duel of wits with a single opponent, constantly trying to outmaneuver them and countering their tactical adjustments. The one-on-one nature also means your skill edge is magnified leading to high win-rates.

This podcast episode gives a comprehensive overview of all the skills required to succeed in heads-up play. In addition to strategic and tactical considerations, coach w34z3l also explores soft skills, including attracting weaker players to your table.

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Introduction to Heads-Up Poker Strategy 0:36 Why Starting Tables Yourself Attracts Recreational Players 1:55 When to Leave a Heads-Up Match 2:11 Simplifying Preflop Strategy in Heads-Up Play 4:29 Button Strategy: 80% VPIP Explained 5:11 The Case for Limping the Button 6:09 Defending Against 3-Bets on the Button 10:14 Big Blind Defense Strategy (80% Range) 11:00 Aggressive 3-Betting from the Big Blind (20%+ Frequency) 13:23 Continuing Against 4-Bets 15:14 Postflop Play: Translating Ring Game Skills 17:01 Understanding Toughness: Being Unpredictable 21:24 The Power of Overbets 22:49 Bum-Hunting and Table-Selection Ethics

RELATED LINKS

The Low-Stakes Poker Playbook: https://redchippoker.com/low-stakes-poker-playbook/
Top Ten Poker Podcasts: https://www.splitsuit.com/best-poker-podcasts
Poker Profit From Novel Lines: https://redchippoker.com/unorthodox-lines-in-nlhe/
Is Poker Dead? https://youtu.be/dwzUJTY6dTk?si=71kgdpqvJDgwyPz1

**JOIN US ON DISCORD**

Join our free poker Discord today: https://redchippoker.com/discord

Poker As A Business: Managing Time And Costs · S8E14 Jul 07, 2026

Show notes

If you play #poker to make money, you have more to manage than your bankroll. To get better at the game, you need to study. That takes time and money. Serious students of the game require poker software and training material.

The purpose of this podcast episode is to outline how you manage the time and costs that are associated with treating poker like a business. How do you assess which software you really need? How do you determine the value of specific books and training courses? This episode will help you make thrifty decisions.

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Introduction: The Cost of Modern Poker 0:24 Training Sites & Subscriptions: What You Really Need 1:37 High-Ticket Courses: Are They Worth It? 4:00 The Evolution of Training Content Quality 6:02 Why Expensive Courses Are Overpriced 8:30 Poker Tracker Costs: Then vs Now 10:44 Hand2Note vs Alternatives: Smart Subscription Strategy 12:12 Table Management Tools 17:00 GTO Wizard & Presolve Ranges: The Truth About Pricing 19:17 How to Reduce Your GTO Tool Costs 20:30 Running Your Own Solves: The Free Alternative 21:00 Why Poker Solvers Are Overpriced 22:15 The Marketing Behind $1000 Solvers 25:00 Optimizing Your Monthly Poker Expenses 28:50 Books vs Videos: Best ROI for Learning 28:48 Final Thoughts: Balancing Costs & Value

RELATED LINKS

The Low-Stakes Poker Playbook: https://redchippoker.com/low-stakes-poker-playbook/
Poker Workbooks: https://www.splitsuit.com/poker-workbooks
Exploitative Strategies Beyond GTO: https://redchippoker.com/exploitative-strategies-beyond-gto/
The GTO Ranges App: https://redchippoker.com/gto-ranges-app

**JOIN US ON DISCORD**

Join our free poker Discord today: https://redchippoker.com/discord

Grinding Poker In A Rec-Friendly Environment · S8E13 Jun 23, 2026

Show notes

Online #poker is a very different beast to twenty years ago. Essentially all poker sites have taken the decision to clip the wings of the professional grinder, ostensibly to encourage the survival of recreational players. Table caps, minimal rake back, and HUD restrictions require the pros to make concessions.

In this episode of the podcast, coach w34z3l discusses how the online grinder can navigate this hostile environment. There are no ideal poker sites anymore, but you can still develop a strategy to play professionally or to generate a significant side income.

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Introduction: The Golden Age of Online Poker 1:04 PokerStars Today: Table Caps & Restrictions 2:18 Multi-Site Grinding: The New Reality 4:42 HUD Restrictions Across Major Networks 7:24 Room-by-Room Breakdown: Finding the Best Option 9:38 888 Poker: Traffic Issues & High Rake 10:14 iPoker Network: Bot Activity Concerns 11:58 Americas Cardroom: Closest to Old Stars? 12:57 Unibet: No Tracking, No HUD 13:37 Asian Apps: Security Risks & Agent Issues 15:04 PokerStars Security vs Accessibility 16:09 Winamax Withdrawal Issues: My Experience 21:01 GG Poker Lifetime Ban: What Happened? 24:39 The Decline of Online Poker & Final Thoughts

**LINKS**

The Low-Stakes Poker Playbook: https://redchippoker.com/low-stakes-poker-playbook/
Setting Up Your Poker HUD Stats: https://www.splitsuit.com/setting-up-poker-hud-stats
Maximize Your Online Poker Edge: https://youtu.be/IFLeNVINYDQ?si=t9oqSddVCfoWwZ5b
Top 15 Key Poker Skills: https://redchippoker.com/top-15-poker-skills/

**JOIN US ON DISCORD**

Join our free poker Discord today: https://redchippoker.com/discord

Realistic Expectations For Your Poker Decisions · S8E12 Jun 09, 2026

Show notes

Any #poker session you play can be thought of as a series of decisions. The "correct" decision in any spot, such as whether to bet and how much, in principle has an objectively-correct answer. This has some players erroneously seeking perfection.

In the real world, the information you use to make each decision contains uncertainty. You simply do not know the precise range of your opponent, and even if you did, a precise EV calculation in real time is not a feasible goal. Make the best decision you can with the available information, but accept that your goal is to be good, not perfect.

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Introduction: Certain Uncertainty in Poker 0:42 The Myth of Perfect Decision Making 1:30 Why Professional Players Don't Always Know What to Do 3:06 Quest for Perfection vs Reality 4:47 Three Areas Where Uncertainty is Normal 5:23 Area 1: Can You Ever Know You're a Winner? 7:08 Area 2: Understanding Villain Ranges 9:43 The Ranging Process is Just an Educated Guess 11:42 Area 3: Expected Value Calculations 12:42 The Limitations of EV Calculations 15:12 Long-Term EV vs Single Hand EV 18:21 Being Better Than Average is Enough 20:07 Embrace Uncertainty to Improve Your Game

RELATED LINKS

The Low-Stakes Poker Playbook: https://redchippoker.com/low-stakes-poker-playbook/
SplitSuit Poker Workbooks: https://www.splitsuit.com/poker-workbooks
Generating Profit In Multiway Pots: https://redchippoker.com/profit-from-multiway-pots/
Play Better Poker Through EV Modeling: https://youtu.be/zvRTqcJ7DHY?si=i_tZRyP3JBOQ-TCm

**JOIN US ON DISCORD**

Join our free poker Discord today: https://redchippoker.com/discord

Poker Tips From LLMs: How Bad Are They? · S8E11 May 26, 2026

Show notes

An increasing number of people rely on ChatGPT summaries to explain complex topics. Is this a good idea if you're looking for tactical and strategic information about #poker? This fun episode of the podcast explores the question.

As you may have found in other disciplines, one of the problems with relying on any LLM is that the accuracy of the information they return can be extremely unpredictable. ChatGPT provides decent summaries of some areas of poker, and laughably bad ones in others.

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Introduction: Poker Turing Test with AI 0:22 Can AI Understand Poker Conceptually? 1:30 Testing ChatGPT's Range Construction 2:36 The Symmetrical Grid Problem 4:55 Suited vs Offsuit Hand Values 7:18 Concept Explanation Test: Polarization 8:50 Equity Denial & Reverse Implied Odds 9:30 The Triple Range Merge Trap 12:13 ChatGPT's Conceptual Understanding Limits 12:58 EV Calculation Challenge Begins 14:34 Breaking Down Semi-Bluff Math 17:30 Training ChatGPT to Calculate Correctly 19:00 Can ChatGPT Remember EV Formulas? 21:30 Writing Poker Scripts with AI 24:33 Final Verdict: Did ChatGPT Pass?

RELATED LINKS

The Low-Stakes Poker Playbook: https://redchippoker.com/low-stakes-poker-playbook/
Poker Study Guide: https://www.splitsuit.com/ultimate-weekly-poker-study-guide
Crushing Poker Bots: https://youtu.be/nhuWF-8CK1E?si=GVt6NKcpflLTqktr
The Poker Robot: https://youtu.be/vnL52ChgLqM?si=jNJIDz1YoTmrssas

**JOIN US ON DISCORD**

Join our free poker Discord today: https://redchippoker.com/discord

Live Poker Tells: Reading Your Opponents · S8E10 May 12, 2026

Show notes

Hollywood promotes the notion that top players "read" their opponents from their body language, or their unique method of eating Oreo cookies. But do such live tells have any place in today's mathematical game of #poker?

In this episode, coach w34z3l gives an overview of how your opponents may leak information that you can use to beat them. Equally important, we discuss how you can prevent others from reading your own body language, so that you can protect yourself from damaging information leaks.

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Introduction: What Are Live Tells? 1:12 Why Tells Exist Even in Tough Games 2:30 How to Read Tells: Default Profiles & Deviations 3:47 Reverse Tells: When Players Mislead You 5:04 Reading the Mouth & Microexpressions 6:33 Hand Tells: Trembling, Position & Chip Tricks 8:48 Posture Changes & Body Language 9:29 Eye Tells: Pupils, Gaze Direction & Stack Glances 11:39 Card Apex: How Players Check Their Cards 14:51 Betting Style & Angle Shooting 17:05 Speech Patterns & Vocal Tells 18:43 Vocalizing vs Silent Options 20:24 Card Protectors & Information Leakage 21:12 Protecting Against Tells: Sunglasses & Hoodies 23:08 Why Perfect Balance Is Impossible

RELATED LINKS

The Low-Stakes Poker Playbook: https://redchippoker.com/low-stakes-poker-playbook/
Poker Mastery 101: https://youtu.be/B8qidwy2UeU?si=-DOEQyKTHYCzn6qX
Live Poker Analysis: https://youtu.be/06gOgEchrqM?si=eDSpZ5jHAJtzLiBy
The Best $1/$2 Poker Vlog: https://www.splitsuit.com/1-2-live-cash-poker-vlog

**JOIN US ON DISCORD**

Join our free poker Discord today: https://redchippoker.com/discord

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