Episode link: https://solveforwhy.io/programs/poker-out-loud-season-2?cid=2036708

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.

All six players who battle it out this season bring a unique background and approach to the game. The game is $5/$10 No-Limit Texas Hold’em. Players began the day with 300 big blinds in front of them, though there’s more money on the table at this point, with some players having added on since the start of play.

Everyone in the mix is playing with their own cash, and their noise-cancelling headphones serve to create a setting where they can safely vocalize their thoughts for the audience as they work through their decisions—some fairly cut and dry, and some not so much.

Early on in Episode 4, Berkey addresses needing to adjust to aggression he’s facing from both Christian Soto and Jordan Young when he enters pots. He reluctantly folds the button in an unopened pot, having decided to lean toward value hands with Chin still to act behind him. 4-2 offsuit joins the muck.

Later we see Chin opt to limp 4-2 from the button, this time of the suited variety. Chin mentions that Jordan’s losing momentum, having pumped the brakes on large opens and even larger 3-bets since the beginning of the session. “I would 3-bet this hand anyway, but we’re going to punish him a little,” says Kelly Minkin as she collects $60 for a raise with A-9 offsuit.

Jordan opts to 3-bet with K-9 suited, explaining that he expects Chin to have limped with a hand that can’t call a 3-bet. Chin lets it go, acknowledging that although Kelly and Jordan are likely to be playing a wide range, he doesn’t have a holding worth defending with. Kelly calls. Both players whiff the Qc10d3h flop, and Kelly checks. Jordan bets three-quarters pot with his gutshot, laying out a plan to fire all three streets if Kelly doesn’t fire back, but luckily for him, she gives up right away.

The very next hand, Berkey wakes up with pocket Kings in the hijack and opens to $50. Next-to-act Chin flats with red Jacks, keeping with the theme of flatting Berkey’s opens with most of his range. “I’m fairly certain I’m going to 3-bet this hand without even looking, honestly,” says Kelly before raising to $300 with A-2 offsuit. Berkey elects to flat, recognizing that Chin’s been consistently flatting his opens, hoping he’ll back four-bet while Berkey holds the second-best hand in poker.

Chin takes the bait, 4-betting to $1,150. Berkey 5-bet jams, and a defeated-looking Chin makes the call but can’t catch up on a King-high board. He adds on for $2,500.

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!