The Real Cost of Poker: Rake, Taxes & Underground Games

Poker Grit, Masculinity, and Finding Community Again

In this episode of Suck It Up Man, Josh kicks things off with one of the most meaningful gifts he’s ever received—an artwork from his daughter that hits different when life gets heavy and perspective shifts. Wayne shares a surprisingly clutch “adult life” gift (the candle warmer lamp that saves the good candles), and the conversation expands fast with guest Andy Blum into poker culture, focus and self-control, weed/abstinence, integrity, toxic masculinity vs healthy masculinity, social media division, community, and why we’re losing the places where people actually come together. They also get into New York poker finally leveling up (Queens casino talk), how technology changes society, and why curiosity might be the real divide in the AI era. Real stories, real laughs, real ethics — and the one thing none of it works without: integrity.

The Real Cost of Poker: Rake, Taxes & Underground Games

Wayne and Josh are joined by poker author Sara O’Connor to talk tournament swings vs cash-game mindset, poker etiquette, and what beginners actually need to know before stepping into a casino. Sara shares insight from her books A New Queen’s Guide to Poker and Shuffle Up and Deal With It, plus stories from dealers worldwide — including underground games. The episode also tackles the changing economics of poker: rising rake, shrinking comps, casino incentives, and the fight around gambling tax policy and advocacy

High Stakes, High Risk: NYC Mike on Underground Poker Games

In this episode of the Suck It Up Man Podcast, Wayne and Josh are joined by NYC Mike, a private-game poker player with deep experience in high-stakes and underground games. The conversation starts with travel, personal growth, and lessons learned from poker losses before diving into the realities of juicy games, financial variance, and the risks players often overlook. NYC Mike shares firsthand perspectives on underground poker, security concerns, cheating suspicions, and recent controversies that have raised serious questions about trust in private games. The episode also explores the economics of poker — rake, tipping, rising costs — and the difference between playing professionals versus amateurs. A raw, honest look at poker, discipline, addiction, and the price of chasing the game.

Divorced Dads: Dating, Fatherhood & Starting Over

Episode 13 — Divorced Dads: Dating, Fatherhood & Starting Over (ft. Jeff) In this real and brutally honest episode of the Suck It Up Man Podcast, Wayne and Josh sit down with Jeff, a divorced dad navigating fatherhood, co-parenting, and the challenge of re-entering the dating world later in life. Jeff opens up about the emotional toll of divorce, rebuilding confidence, balancing kids with dating, and what men often get wrong when trying to start fresh. This episode is packed with wisdom, perspective, and hard truths every man needs to hear. We dive into: * Life as a divorced father * Getting back into the dating field in your 30s, 40s, or 50s * Balancing kids, responsibilities, and self-respect * What authenticity and masculinity look like after loss * How to rebuild your identity and future This is the conversation divorced dads rarely get — but desperately need.

Love, Loss & Second Chances — The Outlaw’s Story

In this powerful episode of the Suck It Up Man Podcast, Wayne and Josh sit down with Ty — better known as “Outlaw” — a mid-30s professional poker player with a story that’s as real as it gets. From the ups and downs of the poker world to the heartbreak of divorce and the unexpected journey of rebuilding his family, Ty opens up about what it takes to grow as a man, a husband, and a father. They dive deep into: * The emotional rollercoaster of divorce and reconciliation * What poker teaches you about patience, risk, and control * How fatherhood changes a man’s perspective * Why humility and forgiveness are the real markers of strength This episode is about redemption, love, and second chances — proving that even when life deals you a bad hand, you can still play it like a winner. ✅ Subscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@SuckItUpMan🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/suckitupman🎙️ The Suck It Up Man Podcast is where tough conversations meet humor, honesty, and real talk.#MensHealth #Divorce #Relationships #SuckItUpMan #Dating