Third Man Walking

Your correspondent starts with a commonly asked question within the poker community (“How do we make poker more popular?”) and argues the more important question is slightly different: “SHOULD poker be more popular?” Then, he reviews a $5/$5/$10 session in an unfamiliar locale.FORUM DISCUSSION: CLICK HERE 0:19 On (not) growing the game11:00 $5/$5/$10 session12:01 AJss on A54r4cc2ccc 13:27 88 on 998rTrK17:54 JTdd on KT2r8ddQddd20:57 KK on 872r3r924:29 A9ss on T42dxd8ss9ddd27:29 AxQd on K82ddx9dddTddddhttp://twitter.com/thirdwalkinghttp://crushlivepoker.com

Your correspondent reviews a boom-era poker film that did not stand the test of time, then gets annoyed with himself after playing badly against an opponent at $5/$5/$10.FORUM DISCUSSION: CLICK HERE 0:19 “The Grand”15:16 $5/$5/$10 NLHE session15:40 A5ss on J85ssx16:48 QJss on 974ssx8cc3x19:10 QThh on A54ddxJx4x22:39 J8hh on J43sxs3cc6ccc26:01 A7ss on K63xccJss7x30:46 55 on T95ddxJx9xhttp://twitter.com/thirdwalkinghttp://crushlivepoker.com

Your correspondent looks ahead to the World Series of Poker, then watches the excellent but occasionally abrasive Winamax YouTube series "Inside the Mind of a Pro." He then reviews a $5/$5/$10 no-limit hold-em session that ends with a wild double-board PLO bomb pot.FORUM DISCUSSION: CLICK HERE 0:15 Tournament season!6:49 The YouTube series "Inside the Mind of a Pro"16:35 $5/$5/$10 session16:46 AQo on T73r6cc19:14 KJdd on T65ddx22:03 AsTx on T95sss6xQx23:53 KTo on J93r8x426:45 A6hh on 633rJx229:12 KsQx on 853rAss30:53 KJo on AAQrTssKx31:44 Double-board PLO bomb pot: T952 with ten-high spades. Top board: 842r5ss2x. Bottom board: J73r8ssAx36:19 Thoughts on playing double-board PLO bomb pots with a capThe "Inside the Mind of a Pro" series is available here: https://www.youtube.com/@WinamaxEuropehttp://twitter.com/thirdwalkinghttp://crushlivepoker.com

Your correspondent looks back at the 2021 film "The Card Counter," about a gambler struggling with his past as a soldier. He then plays a $5/$10 session in which he tries to shake off the rust of an extended break.FORUM DISCUSSION:CLICK HERE 0:15 "The Card Counter"11:15 $5/$5 and $5/$10 NLHE session13:29 $5/$5: AKss all-in preflop14:47 KsKc on 642hhx5ss3hhh17:19 $5/$10: AdJx on 875rJdd3x22:08 A4dd on 988ddx25:46 KThh on T82rQcc27:51 KdKx on 954ddx3dddQddddhttp://twitter.com/thirdwalkinghttp://crushlivepoker.com

Your correspondent compares live no-limit hold-em to online to illustrate why live poker creates a unique kind of confusion that can be hard to resolve. He then reviews a $5/$10 session that featured a tantalizing bluff spot he didn't take.FORUM DISCUSSION: CLICK HERE 0:19 Why live poker is destined to confuse us7:31 What I've been up to8:30 Playing online PLO11:16 $5/$5 and $5/$10 no-limit hold-em session11:19 $5/$5 hand: AA on T954r12:26 At $5/$10: AThh on T82r3dd6ddd15:05 AKcc on KT5hxh4ss17:49 77 on T87hhh9hhhhJx21:57 KsKx on J62ssxJx9x23:43 A3hh on KQhxhJxTxhttp://twitter.com/thirdwalkinghttp://crushlivepoker.com

Your correspondent revisits the possibility of diversifying by learning different game types, then plays a wild $5/$10 session in which he reflects on an increasingly rare opportunity to play with a huge action player.FORUM DISCUSSION: CLICK HERE0:16 Introduction and adjusting to declining game quality4:38 $5/$10 NLHE session5:57 On getting to play with very fun players10:13 Ad4x on J52ddx3x11:54 QQ on JT6rAss14:17 QQ all-in preflop15:28 AQo on Q75xcc2x2x18:10 QQ all-in preflop (again)23:12 A4cc on 763xcx24:31 99 preflop spot25:52 AA on K72ssx6xhttp://twitter.com/thirdwalkinghttp://crushlivepoker.com

Today, fellow podcaster David Chen and your correspondent discuss the recent documentary "Matusow," which is available to rent on Amazon Prime. The movie follows poker boom-era star Mike Matusow's recent attempts to pay off debts, stay relevant, and fight for his legacy. FORUM DISCUSSION: CLICK HEREYou can follow David's work at decodingeverything.com. He also writes about poker at davechenpoker.com.0:18 Introduction1:46 David joins to discuss "Matusow"http:/twitter.com/thirdwalkinghttp://crushlivepoker.com

Amidst a couple weeks mostly away from poker, your correspondent plays two unusually low-stakes sessions, thinking along the way about the impact of policy upon poker options at public casinos.FORUM DISCUSSION: CLICK HERE0:16 What I've been up to3:14 What is low-stakes poker like in 2025?7:44 How poker in casinos is affected by changes in laws11:01 $1/$3 session in Seattle14:13 AsAx on J87xss3x5x19:29 AJo on JTTssx6x8x21:07 AQss on Q73xxsKdd6x24:10 $2/$3 session at Hustler27:00 QTo on KJ5ssx28:08 Double-board PLO bomb pot: T984 on J844Q and 852Kcc2x31:30 A8cc on K82xxc2dd7x34:14 AQ on QQ3r2r3http://twitter.com/thirdwalkinghttp://crushlivepoker.com

Your correspondent revisits the 2009 poker reality show "2 Months 2 Million," then reviews a day of poker that spanned two casinos and over 10 hours.FORUM DISCUSSION: CLICK HERE 0:15 2 Months 2 Million12:47 Recap of a long Friday session and a hand review: 55 on T85rJdd4xhttp://twitter.com/thirdwalkinghttp://crushlivepoker.com

Your correspondent looks back at the 2015 gambling movie "Mississippi Grind," then reviews a $5/$10 session in which he played several all-in pots.FORUM DISCUSSION: CLICK HERE0:15 "Mississippi Grind"10:43 $5/$10 session10:55 87dd on AT2ddd2xJx14:52 AA no diamond on KQ2dxd3ddd16:50 99 all-in preflop20:15 76cc on T98ssx21:14 AKo all-in preflop22:21 66 on J65rTss6x25:37 AKcc all-in preflophttp://twitter.com/thirdwalkinghttp://crushlivepoker.com

Your correspondent revisits the 2007 poker film “Lucky You,” then discusses a $5/$5/$10 session that left him shrugging to himself about the quality of his play.FORUM DISCUSSION: CLICK HERE0:20 Brief life/wildfire update1:45 "Lucky You"14:05 $5/$5/$10 session14:13 On the types of "action" players currently playing in public mid-stakes games18:27 TT on KT6sxs2sss20:34 Double-board PLO bomb pot with Jh992.First board: 9644.Second board KhQh5x (?) Ahhh23:01 KsKh on J82ccx5ddTddd25:11 JJ on A74xssKx2x29:05 A5hh on T62hhx7hhh7x31:47 Conclusionhttp://twitter.com/thirdwalkinghttp://crushlivepoker.com

Your correspondent reviews a recent $5/$5/$10 session in which he ran several big bluffs. He also relates a story about a nitty opponent. FORUM DISCUSSION: CLICK HERE 0:27 $5/$5/$10 session0:43 QTss on KT5xxsJss6x6:20 Double board PLO bomb pot: JT22xddx. Top board: AKQr8dd4x. Bottom board: Q93r2ss4x8:45 JJ on A54r4ddTddd10:34 JTss on 322ccx4xKx12:59 KQcc on T84hhh2x3hhhh15:09 T9dd on KQJxssQccKsss16:30 Q6ss on 942sxx2ss5x18:52 Thoughts on dealing with an annoying opponenthttp://twitter.com/thirdwalkinghttp://crushlivepoker.com

Your correspondent wins some big pots at $5/$5/$10 but leaves the casino a bit frustrated. Then, he thinks about how poker players think about money.FORUM DISCUSSION: CLICK HERE0:19 $5/$5 and $5/$5/$10 session0:36 AQo all-in preflop1:46 K7o on 752rQss8sss3:09 QQ on 853rQccJccc6:31 AhKx on K95hhxTxTx10:22 QJdd on AJ5dxdKx4ddd13:34 AA (no heart) on J96rKhh8hhh14:50 I return to $5/$517:36 Poker players' weird relationships to moneyhttp://twitter.com/thirdwalkinghttp://crushlivepoker.com

Your correspondent discusses how private games have created an imbalance in live cash-game poker, and what to do about it. Then, he discusses a $5/$5/$10 session in which he made several very strong hands.0:15 On the migration of private games from high-stakes live poker to mid- and low-stakes poker, and the problems that has created20:00 $5/$5 and $5/$5/$10 NLHE session21:15 AA on 664r9r224:45 97hh on K85xhx6hh2x28:28 44 on QT4hxhTx30:51 44 (again) on 843rJccFORUM DISCUSSION: CLICK HEREhttp://twitter.com/thirdwalkinghttp://crushlivepoker.com

Your correspondent briefly muses on the difficulty of finding ways to improve when poker continually finds new ways to challenge and mislead you. He then reviews a $5/$10 session that featured some wild street-poker hands, including two in which he made huge folds.FORUM DISCUSSION: CLICK HERE0:15 On hunting for ways to get better6:48 $5/$10 NLHE session7:29 JJ on J65ddxThh9:03 AJcc on A75xddKx2x11:08 QQ on 962r5dd13:15 KK on J53rTr15:09 TT on 943rQcc8x17:01 $200 splash pot -- 99 on AK6rQdd4x20:12 QThh on T83rTr7x (including a discussion of the tactic of overlimping)25:24 AA on 863hhhKxJx34:08 JJ on KJ5ssxQx2xhttp://twitter.com/thirdwalkinghttp://crushlivepoker.com

Your correspondent reads the anthropologist David M. Hayano's "Poker Faces," a book that, 42 years since it was published, has much to say about modern poker culture.FORUM DISCUSSION: CLICK HERE 0:30 "Poker Faces"18:21 Anatomy of a Downswing, Part 1,000,000, featuring some weird digressions on nearly getting run over by a truck and of being in a mall in suburban Cleveland needing to buy a shirt29:07 $5/$5 hand history: AA on 922r4hhJxhttp://twitter.com/thirdwalkinghttp://crushlivepoker.com

Your correspondent struggles with his proximity to the recent Nick Vertucci scandal and wonders how long he should stay in the poker world. Then, he plays a $5/$5/$10 session.FORUM DISCUSSION:CLICK HERE0:16 On the Nick Vertucci scandal12:17 $5/$5/$10 NLHE session13:03 4c4x on T32ccxQxTx16:06 QTss on TT3rA618:25 QQ on T75r4Q20:31 JJ on 332xddKx6x22:01 66 on 652ccxKcccQx24:57 AKo all-in preflophttp://twitter.com/thirdwalkinghttp://crushlivepoker.com

Your correspondent waits -- and waits -- for good opportunities at the table.FORUM DISCUSSION: CLICK HERE0:22 On waiting for my turn6:17 $5/$5/$10 hand history: AA preflop10:20 $5/$5/$10(/$20/$40) hand history: A4hh on Q22ccx4xJx15:51 $5/$10(/$20) session16:41 7c7x on J95ccx8x3x (playing against an unusual opponent type)21:00 AKo on AK3r4ss22:50 QQ (no spade) on K96xss5x7sss24:44 JJ preflop25:51 AKo on QT9r5727:43 QTo on T82cccAx4x29:25 QQ on QT2hhhJx30:49 KQo on KQ6r2r32:21 QTo on J88r33:05 AQss on QJ3ddxKx3x34:57 AKo all-in preflop35:59 $25 bomb pot with K5dd on AJ3dxx2dd7xhttp://twitter.com/thirdwalkinghttp://crushlivepoker.com

Your correspondent defends "mandatory" under-the-gun straddles against recent criticism. Then, he plays a brief but fruitful $5/$10 session.FORUM DISCUSSION :CLICK HERE0:16 Some not-so-obvious reasons why straddles are good for games10:10 $5/$10 NLHE session10:52 K4ss on JJ6rAssTsss13:04 88 on K42ssxJx6x14:28 KQo on QT9cxc7hh16:54 AQo on AQ9sssAxQx19:19 A4dd on A53ssx23:08 JJ on 854xssAx2x25:09 AhAd on J84ccx9ccc6xBrent Jenkins on the Poker Zoo Podcast: https://persuadeo.nl/pz94-brent-jenkins-is-that-guy/The Anti-Straddle Manifesto: https://brentjenkins83.substack.com/p/the-anti-straddle-manifesto?r=4adu4k&utm_medium=ios&triedRedirect=truehttp://twitter.com/thirdwalkinghttp://crushlivepoker.com

Your correspondent tries to fight off bad thoughts while playing $5/$10 and $5/$5 at two casinos.FORUM DISCUSSION: CLICK HERE1:05 On the "dead zone" in late afternoon public poker games2:32 $5/$10 NLHE session2:39 AKcc all-in preflop3:17 KK all-in preflop4:14 KK all-in preflop (again)5:46 JJ on QT2hxh4cc8:15 QTss on QJ6rAxA10:22 $5/$5 session later that day at a different casino13:27 AKo all-in preflop17:34 JJ on T32sxs2x18:21 AQcc KJ8cxxQx19:52 AJss all-in preflophttp://twitter.com/thirdwalkinghttp://crushlivepoker.com

Your correspondent talks to screenwriter and poker player Josh Wilcox, who wrote the upcoming poker movie "Dead Money." Your correspondent then reviews a recent $5/$10 session.FORUM DISCUSSION :CLICK HERE1:35 Josh Wilcox on "Dead Money"15:55 Playing a freeroll tournament20:09 $5/$10 NLHE session20:15 AKss on K72ccxAxQx22:04 A7dd on Q96ddxJxAx24:57 AKss (again) on KQ7xhhTdd27:50 A9o on 963rTcc9x33:47 AcAh on 632ddxhttp://twitter.com/thirdwalkinghttp://crushlivepoker.com

Your correspondent offers a prescription for the recent controversy surrounding Jonathan Tamayo's victory in the Main Event of the World Series of Poker. He then discusses potential cheating in online poker and -- ugh -- public live poker games, and finds parallels between what's happening now and descriptions of the early days of poker in James McManus' "Cowboys Full." Then, he reviews a profitable but sloppy session of $5/$10 NLHE.FORUM DISCUSSION : CLICK HERE0:20 What can be done to address bad optics and a potentially unfair competitive environment in the World Series of Poker Main Event, and in live poker more broadlyWill Jaffe's tweet: Alan Keating's tweet: Apestyles on the Thinking Poker Podcast: "Recent reports out of Paris ...": Only Friends podcast episode on the alleged live poker cheating ring: 14:43 $5/$10 NLHE session15:05 AA on K76r16:00 KK all-in preflop16:38 QJo on Q72xdd18:58 QJhh KJ5hcc6x5x21:08 KQo (both black cards) on KK5xdd6hh4hhh23:48 JThh on 422hhx5xKx25:55 AA all-in preflop26:41 A9ss K87sxx5ddhttps://x.com/dankness3/status/1814048970588516497https://x.com/Mister_Keating/status/1814042058601963714https://www.thinkingpoker.net/2024/07/episode-445-jonathan-apestyles-van-fleet/https://www.yahoo.com/news/french-police-catch-casino-fraudsters-175413515.htmlhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3SGBrQAdto&list=PLbgxMeaShh5X6MNis_76anP2JAAmoA2Ld&index=1http://twitter.com/thirdwalkinghttp://crushlivepoker.com

Your correspondent reflects on the slowness of live poker and how it can make life feel very, very long.FORUM DISCUSSION: CLICK HERE0:15 Variance & time in live poker10:37 $5/$10 NLHE session10:43 TT on Q75rQ912:29 A8hh on AJ4rTdd5ddd14:47 AJss on A43ddx2x2x17:57 99 on J96hhxJcc19:44 KdJx on T96ddd20:53 77 on 976r3ssTx23:27 98o on 772xss6hh5x25:08 KTss on 944ssx7sssJxhttp://twitter.com/thirdwalkinghttp://crushlivepoker.com

Your correspondent thinks back to how he thought about poker six years ago. Then, he plays a $5/$10 game where he tries to fend off some splashy, aggressive villains.FORUM DISCUSSION:CLICK HERE0:15 Las Vegas trip recap1:03 Your correspondent reflects on how his approach to poker has changed since 20188:50 $5/$10 session and a rant about table changes12:52 76o on 853hhx9cc14:22 KK (no diamond) on 874dxd17:50 KdKx (yes, kings again) on Q42ssx5sss21:27 98dd on Q98sxs7hhhttp://twitter.com/thirdwalkinghttp://crushlivepoker.com

Your correspondent prepares for a brief trip to Las Vegas. He then thinks about what it means that the real action in cash games always seems to be happening somewhere else, hidden from view. He also deals with an annoying opponent in a $5/$10 session.FORUM DISCUSSION: CLICK HERE0:18 Las Vegas weekend plans5:15 Why the real action in cash game poker always seems to be out of viewHere is Pokerithm, in case anyone is curious: 19:49 Late-night $5/$10 session reviewhttps://pokerithm.com/http://twitter.com/thirdwalkinghttp://crushlivepoker.com

Your correspondent reviews some of his recent activities, then journeys to the $5/$5 tables and tries to control for luck in evaluating his recent play.FORUM DISCUSSION: CLICK HERE0:21 Thoughts on Hustler Casino Live's Million Dollar Game3:33 Appearing on the Thinking Poker Podcast: https://www.thinkingpoker.net/2024/05/episode-439-charlie-wilmoth/3:57 WSOP plans5:27 Thoughts on downswinging and variance in live poker10:31 $5/$10 hand: JJ on 877ssx7x16:40 $5/$5 NLHE session18:38 JThh on J75sss5x20:47 AQo on A63rJssKx22:08 KxQd on K62ddx23:57 87cc on 643xccTx3x26:35 KK all-in preflop27:24 KQdd on T92dxd8x3x29:57 QTdd on A86r7dd5x31:15 Giving scores to my play for each sessionhttp://twitter.com/thirdwalkinghttp://crushlivepoker.com

Your correspondent meditates on banging his head against the wall. Featured topics include being surrounded at the table by people getting massages, trying and failing to assemble a cardboard box, moving to a new apartment, the documentary "The Contestant" (streaming on Hulu), the Pittsburgh Pirates, growing up in West Virginia, getting into stranger and stranger music, and taking a call about a job in the tech industry. Then, he reviews a $5/$10 session.FORUM DISCUSSION: CLICK HERE 0:16 Banging my head against the wall13:36 $5/$10 NLHE session13:42 AA on JT7hhx14:38 KQo on J84ccx7x3x16:20 ATo on T72cxc4x18:06 A2hh on K94hhx7hhhKx25:04 JThh on 987xxh2hh27:28 KK on T73ssx7xhttp://twitter.com/thirdwalkinghttp://crushlivepoker.com

Your correspondent reflects on getting slowrolled -- or something? -- in an annoying all-in pot, then reviews a $5/$10 session.FORUM DISCUSSION: CLICK HERE0:21 A $5/$10 hand: 99 on J94xhh7x12:30 $5/$10 NLHE session (and some thoughts on a recent casino promotion)14:56 AA (no heart) on Q96hhx3xQx17:43 66 on T76rKss19:57 QQ on A98r5823:15 J9cc on T84ccx25:39 64dd on Q43hhx7x3hhhhttp://twitter.com/thirdwalkinghttp://crushlivepoker.com

Your correspondent returns to the subject of his downswing, which continues despite his best efforts to jinx it into going away by talking about it.0:21 Downswing Part 21:31 Taking variance is part of the job4:25 The downswing leads to bad habits8:53 Why I'll keep grinding instead of focusing on teaching15:04 5/10 NLHE hand: TT on T85rJxQxFORUM DISCUSSION: CLICK HEREhttp://twitter.com/thirdwalkinghttp://crushlivepoker.com

Your correspondent discusses his thought process as he endures the worst downswing of his poker career. He also reviews a recent $5/$10 session.0:17 Maintaining a healthy relationship to the game in the midst of a big downswing8:29 Dealing with a long stretch of boredom, in which moneymaking opportunities are few and far betweenFORUM DISCUSSION: CLICK HERE20:22 $5/$10 NLHE session21:13 AKo all-in preflop22:24 AA (no club) on 762ccc9x8x24:55 "Feel it in the heart of the cards"26:05 A9ss on AKTxdd9xKx32:17 AsJx on 985sss3x6ssss33:58 J9hh on KQTxssAx7ssshttp://twitter.com/thirdwalkinghttp://crushlivepoker.com

Your correspondent visits poker rooms in the Bay Area and Sacramento, folding flopped straights and finding ways to lose ridiculous amounts of money with ace-king. Along the way, he compares live poker in Los Angeles to poker elsewhere, and reflects on a recent bad run.FORUM DISCUSSION: CLICK HERE0:20 Traveling to Northern California0:42 Poker in American cities that are not Los Angeles or Las Vegas1:57 What it feels like to enter a new poker room2:57 3/5/10 at Lucky Chances in San Francisco3:35 K3hh on KT3ssxQdd5:34 A9hh on AQ5xhh8:03 1/3 with straddles at Capitol Casino in Sacramento9:12 KQo on AJ8rTr311:57 J8dd on QT9ssd2x15:00 AQcc on Q54ddx16:50 2/5 at Thunder Valley, northeast of Sacramento 17:58 QsTx on AKJssxKxJx19:05 AKo all-in preflop21:02 AKdd all-in preflop21:32 AKo all-in preflop (yes, all-in preflop with AK in three different hands)22:38 QQ all-in preflop23:32 77 on AQ7rKr925:16 General thoughts on running badhttp://twitter.com/thirdwalkinghttp://crushlivepoker.com

Your correspondent discusses Michael Craig's poker-boom-era classic "The Professor, the Banker, and the Suicide King." He follows up on how he finished in the tournament discussed in the last episode, then reviews a double-board PLO bomb pot he played that left him feeling frustrated with himself.FORUM DISCUSSION: CLICK HERE0:20 "The Professor, the Banker, and the Suicide King"12:32 A correction regarding a hand in the last episode (double-board PLO bomb pot with 8733)14:03 $1200 LAPC tournament, Day 214:41 AKo all-in preflop (big blind = 15,000)15:41 JJ all-in preflop (big blind = 30,000)16:10 Q4hh on T84A4 (big blind = 60,000)18:46 Jx9c on JT6ccx3x5x (big blind = 60,000)21:58 AQo all-in preflop (big blind = 100,000)23:21 $25 double-board PLO bomb pot hand: KQJ4 (no spades) on KT9ssx3x4x and J52ssxJxQsssSources used in the Garfield/Cleveland story:https://www.npr.org/transcripts/502301891https://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-doctors-killed-president-garfield/https://lib.arizona.edu/hsl/materials/collections/secret-illness/clevelandhttps://www.npr.org/2011/07/06/137621988/a-yacht-a-mustache-how-a-president-hid-his-tumorhttp://twitter.com/thirdwalkinghttp://crushlivepoker.com

Your correspondent gets through Day 1 of a tournament for the first time in over five years. He reviews the tournament hands that brought him to Day 2 glory, then recaps a cash session of $5/$5/$10 (with straddles of up to $160) and $5/$5.FORUM DISCUSSION: CLICK HERE0:16 Your correspondent bags a tournament! ($1200 LAPC Million at Commerce)3:42 AJhh on J95r (big blind = 800)6:04 AA on A98r2r (bb = 1200)7:44 K4o on K32r4hhJhhh (bb = 3000)917 JJ all-in preflop (bb = 4000)13:19 T6o on 953xccKx (bb = 6000)17:10 $5/$5/$10 NLHE cash session17:43 AKo all-in preflop18:52 AdTx on K32ddx23:16 KhKx on 653xhh2hhh9x24:47 $5/$5 NLHE25:37 AdAx on KQ8dxdTx28:25 Double-board PLO bomb pot with 8733 on J83rThh and 953xss6ssshttp://twitter.com/thirdwalkinghttp://crushlivepoker.com

Your correspondent discusses why two thousand dollars is an important sum at $5/$10 and $10/$20. He also discusses his recent experiences playing $10/$20, then reviews a recent $5/$10 session.FORUM DISCUSSION: CLICK HERE0:21 Why $2,000 is such an important threshold in mid-stakes cash games4:40 Comparing $10/$20 to $5/$107:17 KsJx on JT8xssTx7x9:54 $5/$10 NLHE session10:23 AKo on Q83rThh12:33 JJ on 993r3T14:16 A5cc on 932ccx8x15:36 AJo on 754r2cc16:32 AA on KK7rK219:13 QJo on T32r8r20:21 AJhh on 832xhh5hhh6x23:42 KJcc on 976cccJx7x26:29 Q6o on AT4r7xhttp://twitter.com/thirdwalkinghttp://crushlivepoker.com

Your correspondent discusses how to filter poker strategy advice -- which advice should be ignored and which is worth taking? How can you tell them apart, and when should you feel satisfied with uncertainty?FORUM DISCUSSION: CLICK HERE0:16 How do you find good advice in poker?12:47 5/10 NLHE session12:56 AKss all-in preflop14:04 QJss 4bet preflop15:29 AQss on AT5r3dd4x17:42 JTcc on 942xxc9x19:03 AJo on A84ssxJx8x21:15 QQ on KQ9J723:46 QQ (again) on K75ddxKcc7x26:37 JJ all-in preflop33:01 Jackpot hand!Sabrina Chevannes' tweet: Persuadeo's essay: https://twitter.com/SChevannes/status/1745567657741402482https://persuadeo.nl/a-brief-word-on-learning-poker-or-anything/I didn't credit them in the podcast itself, but some of my thoughts on solvers are pretty similar to Marc Goone and Gethen Jacobs', which you can see here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vXh6ZhcL90http://twitter.com/thirdwalkinghttp://crushlivepoker.com

Your correspondent explains why he chose not to go to Las Vegas to play tournaments last month, and relays how his experience playing the WSOP Main Event in 2019 shaped his skepticism about playing tournaments at all. He then reviews a recent 5/10 session.0:21 Tournament skepticism and the 2019 Main Event13:49 5/10 NLHE session (and staying off my phone)15:09 KK all-in preflop17:41 98hh QT7dxdQx9ddd19:58 99 all-in preflop23:07 QQ on T22hhxQcc5x25:26 98ss on Q98ddx4x2x28:32 AQdd 965cxc8ddTdddFORUM DISCUSSION: CLICK HEREhttp://twitter.com/thirdwalkinghttp://crushlivepoker.com

Your correspondent reviews a recent 5/10/20 session, then discusses "Game of Gold" and Alex O'Brien's new book "The Truth Detective."0:21 5/10/20 NLHE session1:22 AKcc on KT7r3x2:36 KQo on KK2rTdd6x4:00 AKss all-in preflop5:09 KTdd on QT8xxd6hhQx6:32 AKo on AJ4r2ss7x9:19 AQcc on AQ4ddx4xAx13:07 AA on 632rKhh15:52 QTss on JTThhx9hhh4x17:53 AdAx 995xdd3xAx19:38 T9dd on Q85hhdThhhQx21:29 J6hh on AT2hhxQxAx25:27 Thoughts on "Game of Gold"29:10 Thoughts on Alex O'Brien's "The Truth Detective"FORUM DISCUSSION: CLICK HEREhttp://twitter.com/thirdwalkinghttp://crushlivepoker.com

Your correspondent reviews a recent break-even stretch. He then considers recent rumors of cheating in high-stakes private games and offers a simple solution: Stop playing private games, and come play poker at casinos instead. Finally, he reviews a recent 5/10 session.0:58 Why we shouldn't assume downswings have obvious causes1:34 Whiny bad-beat story: 5/5/10/20/40 KK on TT3rAx3:26 Nearly a catastrophic punt: 5/10/20 AKcc on 543ssc9sss8ssss9:37 Thoughts on Nik Airball's accusations against Mars10:45 Don't play private games12:19 *Do* play poker in casinos15:13 5/10 NLHE session16:07 KQss on 764hsh5ss4sss18:48 AJdd on QT9rQx420:02 55 on Q52r7dd21:48 KJo (no diamond) on K82ddd2x4x23:38 QQ on 966r25:26 Q9cc on 952sxs9xTsss29:58 KThh on QT2hxh3x9x31:50 QQ on 986cxc3x40:22 KQo on KT4r9hhJxFORUM DISCUSSION: CLICK HEREhttp://twitter.com/thirdwalkinghttp://crushlivepoker.com

Your correspondent asks whether, in the next ten years, poker will get tougher at the same rate it has in the last ten. Then, he reviews a recent $10/$20/$40 session.2:37 Vanessa Selbst (44) vs. Kevin MacPhee (A9o) in the 2012 EPT Main Event (Watch here: )6:10 How and why players will get better in the future7:35 Why non-NLHE poker variants will continue to grow in importance13:25 $10/$20/$40 NLHE session (and an explanation of the rules of the many sub-games we played)16:20 Capped double-board PLO bomb pot: K764 on a top board of KK4 and a bottom board of JT3xhh19:00 TT all-in preflop19:56 TT (again) on 955r24:13 99 all-in preflop25:08 QTo on Q65rJssJx26:50 Capped double-board PLO bomb pot: KKJ2 on a top board of T76xhh and a bottom board of AK3r29:47 Q3cc on Q88ddc7cc5ccc32:40 A3ss on K97sxx8ss34:38 Q8dd preflopVenessa Selbst's Top Blow UpsThird Man Walking Episode 5, on the poker ecosystem and the rate at which it changes: https://crushlivepoker.com/podcasts/the-ecosystemThird Man Walking Episode 51, which reviews hands from the 2003 WSOP Main Event: https://crushlivepoker.com/podcasts/getting-better-over-timeFORUM DISCUSSION:CLICK HEREhttp://twitter.com/thirdwalkinghttp://crushlivepoker.com

Your correspondent rereads Blockhead's gritty gambling memoir "Seat Open," then reviews a 5/5/10 session that blossomed into a bigger game.11:36 5/5/10 session11:47 A7cc on 553xccAxKccc14:41 KQo on A53rJcc16:52 KTss on AKTccx7ccc6cccc19:17 We switch the game to 5/10/2019:41 55 on QT9r8dd4x21:17 J9hh on QT8ddhAx22:18 AdAx on 875xdd8xKx25:17 AcTx on 542ccxQssTxFORUM DISCUSSION: CLICK HEREhttp://twitter.com/thirdwalkinghttp://crushlivepoker.com

Your correspondent recovers from a minor illness, then plays a pair of cash sessions, one at 5/10 and another at 5/5.0:22 Going to Las Vegas and getting COVID2:45 5/10 NLHE session2:51 AsAc on J53hxh2x5hhh4:12 AQo (no spade) 762sxsAsss8x7:01 77 on T82dxdKx8x10:27 AQdd on AQ2rAss7sss15:03 99 on Q97dddTx4x19:46 5/5 NLHE session20:29 TT on 993xss2x21:32 K6hh on 642cxcJccc4x23:28 KTcc on Q73xcc25:31 Q9dd on Q32xcc4ss26:57 KJdd on J52ssx2sss2x29:07 KK on 965r8xJx30:38 AcAx on JJ6xss7cc32:31 AcAx (again) on AJ7xcc6xhttp://twitter.com/thirdwalkinghttp://crushlivepoker.comFORUM DISCUSSION: CLICK HERE

Your correspondent ties off some loose ends from the last episode about private games, sharing his own limited experience playing in them. He also reviews a session where he made a disastrous call.0:55 Private games compared to home games2:27 What are private games actually like?6:35 My experience with a private game in a casino9:18 What can be done about more and more games going private?11:58 5/10/20 and 5/10/20/40 session12:40 (at 5/10/20) AJdd on KJJ6r415:36 (at 5/10/20/40) AQo (no heart, no club) on A76hxhTccJx23:53 A2o on A777825:25 AhKx on AK2xhh27:20 AxKs all-in preflopFORUM DISCUSSION:CLICK HEREhttp://twitter.com/thirdwalkinghttp://crushlivepoker.com

Your correspondent contemplates cash-game poker's identity crisis as more and more games go private. What do the increasing number of private games tell us about what players want poker to be? And how have pros and other serious players contributed to the downfall of public games?0:48 Is poker fundamentally a competitive activity or a friendly gambling pastime?5:05 How pros are dependent upon recreational players7:14 How the pandemic changed many players' attitudes11:07 Private games in casinos14:47 Other reasons players' attitudes towards pros have changed over time17:11 How pros have driven recreational players away22:32 What good is it to be "the best" at poker?FORUM DISCUSSION: CLICK HEREhttp://twitter.com/thirdwalkinghttp://crushlivepoker.com

Your correspondent struggles with bad luck and bad vibes in a recent cash session and in a big tournament.0:20 Why this episode is what it is1:15 5/10 NLHE cash session3:33 AQo (no spade) on AJ7sxsAxTx7:22 JJ on AA4r3ddKddd9:12 KK (no heart) on 543r2hh5hhh11:30 TT on K83r13:40 KJhh on K54xxh6hhAhhh15:55 Q8hh on 964xhh3x2x18:38 KQo on KQJssx21:08 $3600 tournament review29:21 AQo all-in preflop29:52 J9ss on T96sxs2x2x34:37 AKo all-in preflopFORUM DISCUSSION: CLICK HEREhttp://twitter.com/thirdwalkinghttp://crushlivepoker.com

Your correspondent looks back at the late Doyle Brunson's 1984 book "Poker Wisdom of a Champion" to see what it has to teach us about poker in 2023. He then reviews hands from a recent $1400 buyin tournament in Los Angeles, asking himself in the process if the tournament life makes sense for him. 0:19 "Poker Wisdom of a Champion"9:26 Tournament hand review - $1400 million-dollar guarantee20:11 98ss on 887xdd22:18 K4dd on A52rQccJx26:00 J9hh on T72hhx27:47 AA all-in preflophttp://twitter.com/thirdwalkinghttp://crushlivepoker.comFORUM DISCUSSION: CLICK HERE

Your correspondent discusses a recent score of $16,000 in a bad-beat jackpot, then reviews an annoying day of 5/5 and 5/5/10/20. 0:15 Jackpot hand! JJ on A65AA4:53 Session review (starting at 5/5)8:38 QQ on J83ssxQcc10:01 QQ all-in preflop11:14 Double-board PLO bomb pot: A997 with A9dd on A95ccx and 842xdd14:18 (at 5/5/10/20) 85ss on 976xsx4cc6x16:28 K6dd on T74hdh3ddTddd18:03 KQdd on 982r5hh4x19:14 KhKx on J94hhx6x21:33 AJo on A85dxd5ccAx22:58 AQo (no club) on 853ccx2ss25:55 QQ on K86ddxKx4xFORUM DISCUSSION: CLICK HEREhttp://twitter.com/thirdwalkinghttp://crushlivepoker.com

Your correspondent reports back from a recent week-long trip to play tournaments in Las Vegas. Along the way, he compares tournaments to the cash games he usually plays and wonders if it's time to try playing tournaments more seriously. Also, he battles intense hunger while playing, then faces an ethical dilemma in a hand against an opponent who keeps exposing her cards.3:10 88 on 753ccx5x5x5:54 A7dd all-in preflop14:14 ATdd on T82rThh16:53 KQo on KJ8Q6FORUM DISCUSSION:CLICK HEREhttp://twitter.com/thirdwalkinghttp://crushlivepoker.com

Your correspondent reviews Aaron Sorkin's movie "Molly's Game" and the Molly Bloom memoir upon which it's based, finding one of the two narratives to be much, much more compelling than the other.0:55 "Molly's Game" the movie10:46 "Molly's Game" the bookThe Indiewire interview with Sorkin: https://www.indiewire.com/awards/industry/mollys-game-aaron-sorkin-jessica-chastain-idris-elba-oscars-1201915147/http://twitter.com/thirdwalkinghttp://crushlivepoker.comFORUM DISCUSSION: CLICK HERE

Your correspondent argues that the poker dream is still alive, and that poker should still market itself to players who want to win.0:22 The Jonathan Little / Matt Berkey Twitter thread13:38 Phil Galfond's argument for aspiring winning players as engines of poker's futureThe Galfond video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVw2k4D0fsc18:32 5/5/10 NLHE session18:50 TT all-in preflop21:16 AdAx on KQ8ddxTx22:41 AA on 964rJss24:56 JJ on J83ssx25:56 KK on 9723r9http://twitter.com/thirdwalkinghttp://crushlivepoker.comFORUM DISCUSSION: CLICK HERE

A no-hand-history episode! Your correspondent shares some speculative thoughts about the future of RTA in live poker. He argues that casinos and floor staff need to be proactive about learning what solvers and RTA are and taking steps to prevent players from using them at the table. He then reviews Mike Matusow's 2009 autobiography "Check-Raising the Devil," contrasting poker of the boom era with poker today.0:21 Thoughts on the recent controversy regarding use of solvers/RTA during hands in live poker7:08 Mike Matusow's "Check-Raising the Devil"http://twitter.com/thirdwalkinghttp://crushlivepoker.comFORUM DISCUSSION:CLICK HERE

Your correspondent shares his thoughts on a recent downswing, then reviews a difficult 5/5/10 session.0:17 Your correspondent returns from Europe and reflects on taking a break4:52 Annual thoughts on tournaments and whether to play them12:52 5/5/10 NLHE session13:21 99 on 852r4ss3x15:42 AQhh on J33r16:55 K7cc on 732r18:09 88 on A95sxs2hh5hhh19:42 KK all-in preflop22:28 A tangent on spots where KK can be a preflop fold27:12 8763 in a double-board bomb pot on 643ccx9cccc2x and 854r6ss5x30:25 QsQh on J63xss9hhAhhhhttp://twitter.com/thirdwalkinghttp://crushlivepoker.comFORUM DISCUSSION: CLICK HERE