The Official Red Chip Poker Podcast

If you’ve ever struggled with poker math mid-hand—fumbling with ratios, converting to percentages, and second-guessing your decisions—this episode is going to feel like a breath of fresh air. In “Bad Poker Math”, Coach Weasel breaks down one of the most common sources of confusion at the tables: relying on outdated ratio-based math. Whether it's calculating pot odds, implied odds, or bluff-to-value frequencies, traditional approaches often overcomplicate simple decisions and slow you down when it matters most. This episode lays out a smoother path: think in percentages, eliminate conversions, and streamline your thought process with easy-to-remember math shortcuts. You'll learn not only how to make sharper calls and folds faster, but also why simplifying doesn’t mean dumbing down—it means cutting through tradition to get to the core of better poker decisions. **LINKS** · Preflop & Math Poker Workbook: https://www.splitsuit.com/poker-preflop-math-workbook [https://www.splitsuit.com/poker-preflop-math-workbook] · CORE Poker Course: https://redchippoker.com/launch-core [https://redchippoker.com/launch-core] · Why Poker Math Is STILL Important: https://www.splitsuit.com/why-poker-math-approach-is-best [https://www.splitsuit.com/why-poker-math-approach-is-best] **JOIN US ON DISCORD** Join us on Discord today: https://redchippoker.com/discord [https://redchippoker.com/discord]

If you’ve ever struggled to know when to check-raise the flop—or felt unsure whether your current strategy is leaking EV—this episode is for you. We break down one of the most common and instructive spots in poker: big blind vs. button on a dry flop. Using solver-informed analysis, you’ll walk away with a clear understanding of which types of hands check-raise profitably, where these hands fall on the equity spectrum, and how the modern approach differs from traditional polarized thinking. This isn't just a theory dump—it's a guided look at how to interpret solver output in a practical, actionable way. You’ll explore how check-raises are distributed across strong value hands, semi-bluffs like gutshots and open-enders, and even some surprisingly middling pairs. Along the way, you'll learn why the classic idea of a polarized range doesn’t fully apply and how mixing strategies help achieve balance in this spot. Whether you play live or online poker, this strategic cross-section will sharpen your intuition and help you develop a more nuanced postflop approach. **LINKS** · GTO Gems 2 (Book): https://redchippoker.com/gto-gems-2-book [https://redchippoker.com/gto-gems-2-book] · Understanding Equity Distribution: https://www.splitsuit.com/gto-poker-equity-distribution [https://www.splitsuit.com/gto-poker-equity-distribution] · Poker Strategy vs. Tactics: https://youtu.be/2_Q3ZbwfKB4 [https://youtu.be/2_Q3ZbwfKB4] **JOIN US ON DISCORD** Join us on Discord today: https://redchippoker.com/discord [https://redchippoker.com/discord]

Can we discuss “equity retention” and why it’s not an optional concept to learn for every poker player? In this episode of the Red Chip Poker Podcast, we break down one of the most overlooked yet essential postflop concepts: equity retention. You’ll learn what it is, how it impacts your decisions postflop, and how to use it to build stronger bluffing lines and value strategies. Whether you're new to the term or just need a refresher, this is the deep dive you’ve been waiting for. Perfect for cash game players and tournament grinders alike. 💡 Takeaways from this episode: * Learn why some hands drop off sharply as villain’s range narrows * Discover the types of hands that thrive in high-pressure spots * Understand when top pair is vulnerable—and how to respond * See why draws and backdoor equity give you profitable bluffing opportunities * Use equity retention to guide bet sizing, barreling, and board coverage **LINKS** · CORE Poker Membership: https://redchippoker.com/launch-core [https://redchippoker.com/launch-core] · Understanding Equity Distribution: https://www.splitsuit.com/gto-poker-equity-distribution [https://www.splitsuit.com/gto-poker-equity-distribution] · Poker Strategy vs. Tactics: https://youtu.be/2_Q3ZbwfKB4 [https://youtu.be/2_Q3ZbwfKB4] **JOIN US ON DISCORD** Join us on Discord today: https://redchippoker.com/discord [https://redchippoker.com/discord]

Poker is already a complex game—but many players try to make it easier by using simplified poker strategies. Whether it’s range c-betting 1/3 pot, 3-bet-only from the small blind, or avoiding donk bets entirely, the goal is always the same: reduce decisions & reduce errors. But is simplifying your strategy actually helping your win rate? Or is it quietly costing you chips? In this episode of the Red Chip Poker Podcast, we explore the real trade-offs behind simplified poker strategies, their relationship to GTO solver output, and the critical distinction between playing GTO and playing exploitatively. This is a must-listen for serious players diving into solvers and anyone questioning whether "just keeping it simple" is the right approach. 🔍 You’ll learn: * What simplified poker strategies really are (and what they’re not) * How EV loss in solvers is often misunderstood * Why simplified strategies may shift complexity to later streets * The #1 mistake players make when comparing GTO models When simplification actually makes sense—especially from an exploitative lens. **LINKS** · GTO Gems 2 Poker Book: https://redchippoker.com/gto-gems-2-book [https://redchippoker.com/gto-gems-2-book] · Crushing GTO Poker: https://youtu.be/j8cFt86B8To [https://youtu.be/j8cFt86B8To] · EV Poker Formula: https://www.splitsuit.com/simple-poker-expected-value-formula [https://www.splitsuit.com/simple-poker-expected-value-formula] **JOIN US ON DISCORD** Join us on Discord today: https://redchippoker.com/discord [https://redchippoker.com/discord]

In this episode, you’ll sharpen your understanding of poker strategy and tactical execution — two sides of the same coin that every winning player needs to master. Whether you’ve ever wondered "am I making the best decision here?" or "do I even know the EV of this play?" — this discussion gives you the tools to confidently find the answer. Coach w34z3l breaks down the critical difference between strategy and tactics, using real-world examples from chess, warfare, and poker itself. You’ll discover why knowing your EV on the river is often possible (and expected), but why trying to perfectly map it out preflop is usually a losing battle. This episode teaches you how strong strategic play on early streets naturally leads to clearer, simpler tactical opportunities on later streets — allowing you to pick better spots, make cleaner bets, and avoid costly mistakes. If you’re serious about improving your poker thought process, you’ll learn why building principled, high-level strategic habits matters just as much as finding those sharp tactical lines. Plus, get introduced to tools like EV modeling, simplified tree building, and how solvers fit (or don't fit) into the real-world game. **LINKS** · Poker Workbooks (& More): https://redchippoker.com/poker-books/ [https://redchippoker.com/poker-books/] · Why Strategy & Tactics Are NOT The Same: https://redchippoker.com/poker-strategy-and-tactics-are-not-the-same/ [https://redchippoker.com/poker-strategy-and-tactics-are-not-the-same/] · EV Poker Formula: https://www.splitsuit.com/simple-poker-expected-value-formula [https://www.splitsuit.com/simple-poker-expected-value-formula] **JOIN US ON DISCORD** Join us on Discord today: https://redchippoker.com/discord [https://redchippoker.com/discord]