Episode link: https://solveforwhy.io/programs/poker-out-loud?cid=1990974

Poker Out Loud was created by Solve For Why, an advanced poker training company. Solve For Why’s founder and lead instructor is Matt Berkey, a long-time high-stakes poker professional in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Poker Out Loud is a unique approach to poker training and entertainment. Top poker professionals play a cash game format, while all wearing noise-cancelling headphones. Before their actions, they speak their thoughts out loud, revealing to the audience their thought process and reasoning behind each poker decision.

In addition to the noise-cancelling function on everyone’s headphones, they are also listening to high-volume music when the action is not on them, to ensure they can’t hear anything being spoken by their opponents. While none of the players are proficient lip-readers, they are also told to not look at the player who is currently speaking, just to avoid picking up on any information.

Episode 1 mainly saw the players “feeling out” one another, with some wide ranges being played preflop. Nick Howard was one of the more active players, mixing it up with several different opponents.

Nick’s loose image led to one of the bigger, and more interesting hands of the episode. Jordan Young opened to $40 from the cutoff with Kc4c, and was flatted by Matt Berkey on the button with As7c. Nick Howard woke up in the big blind with AdTd. With what rates to be the best hand most of the time, coupled with his loose image, Nick elects to 3-Bet squeeze. Knowing how Jordan and Berkey perceive him, he chooses a rather large 3-Bet size of $250.

Jordan Young makes the somewhat surprising decision to then 4-Bet his Kc4c to $825, perhaps looking to establish an aggressive gameplan and image early on in the season. Berkey gets out of the way, and Nick ultimately calls the 4-bet with his AdTd.

The flop is an uninteresting one, as it comes down Ks 7h 3h. Nick checks and Jordan bets about 40% pot with his top pair, ending the hand with a fold from Nick.

Jordan gets off to the early lead, but it is clear from the players’ actions and explanations that there is going to be plenty of action and big pots throughout the season.

You can watch this episode in full, along with every other episode from all seasons of Poker Out Loud, at solveforwhy.io, Be sure to use promo code POLBLOG for 25% OFF your first month!