Top Pair Podcast 336: Viva Las Vegas: The WSOP is in Session!

Robbie Strazynski

Jun 18, 2019 Last updated Jun 19, 2019

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In episode 336, Bruce Briggs and Robbie Strazynski catch up after a three-week-break while Robbie’s been in Las Vegas for the World Series of Poker. Robbie’s recap includes 50 hours of cash game action, his first bracelet event, two “prep” tournaments, and even a little WPT news. Bruce shares his fan experience watching the live streams from home, talks BARGE, Biggie-Size games, and more.

Plus, news of two great poker nights coming up in Vegas over the next few weeks, some Table Talk from George Chao and a One Outer that’s a little NSFW, but downright hilarious.

Top Pair thanks their sponsor, the Poker Notes Live mobile app, for their support. Be sure to check it out!

Show Time Stamps

00:29	Synopsis
1:14–51:25	How Ya Runnin?
1:31	Robbie: Back home in Israel after a fourth consecutive yearly trip to the World Series of Poker. Recapping experiences before heading back to Las Vegas for the Main Event.
3:33	Getting to play in a WSOP bracelet event for the first time, the $1,500 Dealer’s Choice. What it’s like to sit and play with Jeff Lisandro and James Obst; not feeling intimidated, but outclassed in the big bet games. The importance of choosing games that your opponents aren’t comfortable playing. Over nine hours of play, made it about halfway through a record field of 470 players.
10:04	Leading up to the $1,500 Dealer’s Choice event, playing in two “prep” tournaments at the Orleans, bubbling a $150 8-game mix tournament and another deep run to almost make the money in a $200 R.O.S.E. tournament. What it’s like to play mixed games in a tournament format rather than cash games.
13:18	50 hours of cash game sessions at half a dozen different Las Vegas poker rooms, down $270. Many late-night sessions, barely sleeping during the trip; that’s what the Sabbath is for.
15:10	Details of a fun $4/8 mixed game at the Westgate featuring a bunch of poker media folks, poker lawyer Mac Verstandig, and other enthusiasts. Mike Patrick teaches the group about “massage bomb pots.” Comparing the “fun” mixed game table to the joyless $1/2 NLHE table across the room.
18:10	Bruce’s memories of “home game” H.O.R.S.E. play at Binion’s Horseshoe over a decade ago. Back then, most of the dealers only knew how to deal Hold’em.
22:50	Kudos to all the WSOP dealers on a job well done.
23:50	WPT end of season events at the HyperX Esports Arena recap. Getting to meet BBO Poker Tables’ George Chao and Faded Spade Playing Cards’ Tom Wheaton in person.
25:45	Digital Poker Table in the Rio hallways. A home game table worth $10,000?
28:30	Upcoming celebrity-laden $10,000 guaranteed charity poker tournament – Raising the Stakes for CP – to benefit the One Step Closer Foundation coming up at the Aria on June 30th.
31:10	PokerNews Family of Podcasts night on July 8th $150 tournament at the Planet Hollywood.
33:00	Bruce: Eric’s game plays “Biggie-Size”… an extra hole card dealt as part of every game in the mix.
37:50	Getting free BARGE poker chips from a fellow WPDG member.
39:50	Watching all the WSOP final tables via live stream, including Eli Elezra winning bracelet #4.
40:40	Robbie streaks across the Mojave Desert from Los Angeles to celebrate Eli’s win in person.
43:45	Bruce, on what it’s like to watch all the mixed game variants via live stream; learning from the pros. The critical importance of having enough patience to make a deep run in WSOP tournaments; it’s tough enough to just watch for hours on end!
50:30	Winners of our SOHE and Dramaha book giveaway.
53:36	Table Talk with George Chao of BBOPokerTables: The different types of “traditions” that friends and family playing in various home game groups have.
58:42	One Outer – An inebriated visitor to the South Point poker room takes Robbie’s table on one hell of a f***ing ride while discussing Presidential affairs.