Episode link: https://solveforwhy.io/programs/poker-out-loud-season-2?cid=2036714
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.
Everyone at the table has entered this $5/$10 No-Limit Texas Hold’em game with their own dollars. When the action isn’t on them, they’re listening to high-volume music, enabling the players to speak freely about the moves they make. They’ve also been asked to avert their eyes from the opponent whose action it is to prevent information from being leaked through lip reading.
Episode 10’s orbit is on the shorter side, with the players facing fewer tough spots. Kelly Minkin opens A-10 offsuit to $50 under the gun. Action folds to Chewy on the button, who just calls with A-K of diamonds, hoping to induce a squeeze from the blinds. “I’m always afraid of saying these kinds of things on video because I could be really wrong,” says Chin. “But if you rewind the footage, you will probably see the way she grabbed the chips to put in.” He goes on to explain that he may have picked up a live tell about how Kelly assembles her raising chips, and he considers 3-betting with J-9 suited in the big blind based on the read. Instead, he just calls.
Chin flops best on 976 rainbow and leads for $55. Only Kelly calls, and the 9h turn gives Chin trips. He continues for three-quarters pot, and Kelly mucks.
We get a chip count update after the aforementioned hand; Jordan’s still way ahead with $6,445, and Jack holds the fewest chips at $2,915, not having had a chance to gain any momentum since taking Matt Hunt’s seat in Episode 7.
“I’m always happy to support my friends that are doing big things,” says Kelly on Solve For Why. “I enjoy that [Berkey’s] passionate about what he’s doing, and I want to be a part of it.”
Next, Berkey opens pocket 7s from the hijack. Chin takes his time folding 10-3 offsuit, explaining that he wants to cause a short delay and take away a bit of Berkey’s momentum, hopefully disincentivizing him from opening super wide. Jordan flats in the small blind with A-Q suited, saying it’s the strongest hand he’ll just call from that position to protect his calling range. Both players check on 8h4h2s, with Jordan’s Ace being the only heart in the hole.
Jordan leads pot on the 9d turn, and Berkey calls, intending to fold to a 10 or higher on the river. The As falls, giving Jordan a higher pair, and he checks. Berkey turns his pair into a bluff and overbets, putting $575 into $330, but Jordan insta-calls, launching him even further ahead of the pack.
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!
