Top Pair Home Game Poker Podcast
All things home poker related. Top Pair pokercast is a podcast geared toward the niche of home game poker.
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Top Pair Home Game Poker Podcast Ep. #365: Our Final Show
10/14/2020
Top Pair Home Game Poker Podcast Ep. #365: Our Final Show
After 11 years on the air, the Top Pair Home Game Poker Podcast has recorded its final episode, #365. Co-hosts Bruce Briggs and Robbie Strazynski take an hour to reminisce about all the highlights, favorite moments, and top tier interviewees, and to thank guests, contributors, and listeners. Bruce shares the story of how the show began, with then-co-host Eric Nelson. Robbie talks about how he joined as the new co-host in 2014. This episode is the first ever time Robbie and Bruce are actually seeing one another (virtually), after having been exclusively an audio podcast.
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Top Pair Home Game Poker Podcast Ep. #364: Short and Sweet
09/30/2020
Top Pair Home Game Poker Podcast Ep. #364: Short and Sweet
In this short, but sweet episode of the Top Pair Home Game Poker Podcast, Robbie recaps his final in-person home game before the proverbial walls of Israel’s lockdown closed in. Bruce reflects on the beauty and blessings of having a number of home game buddies that he can call good friends off the felt as well. The show ends off with a curtain call from Ben Ludlow, who’s got his farewell One Outer segment.
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Top Pair Home Game Poker Podcast Ep. #363: The Tilt Boys
09/17/2020
Top Pair Home Game Poker Podcast Ep. #363: The Tilt Boys
Robbie and Bruce recap their home games, played both online and in person. Bruce lost two whole dollars, while Robbie’s Dad came back to the home game after a on over 6-month-long hiatus. Two of poker’s legendary Tiltboys, Dave Lambert and Paul Swiencicki join the hosts for a wonderful interview about the history behind their home game, over 25 years of playing poker together, the many amazing stories they have to share, and a book that chronicled their adventures over the years. Other famous Tiltboys members include Phli Gordon, Rafe Furst, and Perry Friedman. Finally, Bruce shares a funny One Outer detailing the perils of screen sharing while on Zoom for an online poker home game.
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Top Pair Home Game Poker Podcast Ep. #362: The Home Game Call of the Century
09/02/2020
Top Pair Home Game Poker Podcast Ep. #362: The Home Game Call of the Century
Robbie and Bruce recap their home games, played both online and in person. Bruce hits a royal flush, while Robbie eked out a win with quarantined Kenny watching from . The game featured the (unofficial) home game call of the century, as Maurice and Moe squared off in badeucey; it’s a story you HAVE to hear. George Chao of BBO Poker Tables talks about the future of live poker in the U.S., as rooms begin opening up, as well as home games re-starting after a lengthy hiatus. Plexiglass shields are becoming the norm. Finally, Ben Ludlow brings the laughs and the heat in this episode’s One Outer as he recaps the 2020 summer of online poker, and what he misses from “real world poker.”
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Top Pair Home Game Poker Podcast Ep. #361: Steve Fredlund and Jim Reid
08/19/2020
Top Pair Home Game Poker Podcast Ep. #361: Steve Fredlund and Jim Reid
Robbie finally played in an in-person home game again. Bruce has been watching both old and new poker content, specifically High Stakes Poker on PokerGO and The Orbit on Twitch. The hosts are joined by Steve Fredlund and Jim Reid of Rec Poker and the pair discuss everything their podcast and community of poker players is all about in an extensive conversation. Finally, our One Outer features a home game host who absolutely insists that the lights be turned off at the end of the session.
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Top Pair Home Game Poker Podcast Ep. #360: Back to Our Roots
08/05/2020
Top Pair Home Game Poker Podcast Ep. #360: Back to Our Roots
Bruce plays more home games (2) than Robbie (0) for the first time in ages, so which WSOP Main Event champion reached out to empathize with Robbie’s plight? Also, the hosts discuss the debut of #TheOrbit, an innovative new concept in poker media showcasing a panel discussion of poker experts. We get back to our roots, reviewing an excellent article about home games from the PokerStars blog. Finally, Ben Ludlow wraps up the show with another must-listen One Outer on the imminent Polk vs. Negreanu grudge match!
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Top Pair Home Game Poker Podcast Ep. #359: Simon says, Bruce returns to poker, Jeff’s Vegas report, Gutterball and a Kenny-ism
07/22/2020
Top Pair Home Game Poker Podcast Ep. #359: Simon says, Bruce returns to poker, Jeff’s Vegas report, Gutterball and a Kenny-ism
Bruce is finally back playing poker after a four-month hiatus. Robbie was the big winner in his Dad’s home poker game, where they welcomes a special guest: Simon. Our sound engineer, Jeff, joins us again to give us a trip report on his time in Las Vegas, sharing tales from the felt and the overall vibe of the city. We take a moment to discuss the importance of including the folks in more at-risk categories who aren’t playing poker during the pandemic; we can’t forget about ‘em! Finally, we leave you with our first ever Kenny-ism!
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Top Pair Home Game Poker Podcast Ep. #358: Chad McVean
07/02/2020
Top Pair Home Game Poker Podcast Ep. #358: Chad McVean
Bruce and Robbie welcome longtime listener and poker podcast superfan Chad McVean to the show to discuss his home game history, what he loves so much about poker podcasts, and all things poker. We’ve also got a “reporter in the field”, our sound engineer Jeff, who’s visiting Las Vegas, reporting from “ground zero” of what the poker scene and the city in general are like in this time of limited reopening. Robbie’s also got some home game recaps to share, and Ben Ludlow offers some hot takes on the WSOP giving out bracelets for online events.
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Top Pair Home Game Poker Podcast Ep. #357: Poker Potpourri
06/17/2020
Top Pair Home Game Poker Podcast Ep. #357: Poker Potpourri
Bruce and Robbie welcome home game host Cody back to the show to discuss how online home poker games have become quite different than in-person home games among the same group of friends. The hosts also discuss the reopening of poker rooms across the US. Plus, George Chao from BBO Poker Tables has a great “al fresco” edition of Table Talk, and Ben Ludlow’s got another great virtual WSOP top 10 list for this week’s One Outer that’ll make you literally laugh out loud.
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Top Pair Home Game Poker Podcast Ep. #356: James "Splitsuit" Sweeney
06/04/2020
Top Pair Home Game Poker Podcast Ep. #356: James "Splitsuit" Sweeney
Bruce and Robbie welcome well-regarded poker coach and co-founder of James “Splitsuit” Sweeney to the show. James shares his personal poker journey, specifically how he started out playing and then transitioning into coaching. He also discusses the massive upgrade to Red Chip Poker’s CORE offering (2.0) and how the training materials can best help home game players The hosts also speak with longtime listener and Salt Lake City home game host Chad who describes hosting and attending his first live poker games in the coronavirus era. With no WSOP going on, neither of our co-hosts are in Las Vegas, but did manage to play in his first two live home poker games after a 2-month pandemic hiatus, and shares his experiences. Finally, Ben Ludlow is back with a One Outer Top 10 list of the things he misses most about the opening week of the World Series of Poker that’ll have you laughing out loud at episode’s end.
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Top Pair Home Game Poker Podcast Ep. #355: Tadas Peckaitis
05/21/2020
Top Pair Home Game Poker Podcast Ep. #355: Tadas Peckaitis
Bruce and Robbie welcome poker coach and strategist Tadas Peckaitis to the show. In his first-ever audio interview, Tadas shares how he discovered poker in Lithuania, got into the game, and eventually ended up coaching students. He also shares some great home game strategy tips. The hosts also discuss the slow restart of post-pandemic live poker on the home game front as well as in Las Vegas and other poker rooms around the world. BBO Poker Tables’ George Chao has a great Table Talk segment explaining how his company is developing new products that address the needs of players in poker rooms and home games in a post-COVID19 era where sanitization and cleanliness is essential. Finally, we’ve got a fun One Outer that truly illustrates how close home game poker friends can (or shouldn’t!) get to one another while playing online with Zoom.
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Top Pair Home Game Poker Podcast Ep. #354: When and How Will Live Poker Return?
05/07/2020
Top Pair Home Game Poker Podcast Ep. #354: When and How Will Live Poker Return?
Bruce and Robbie discuss when live poker home games are likely to return – it depends not only on the public data and statistics, but also on people’s personal comfort level. Plus, the back story of how Robbie finally got the opportunity to interview Doyle Brunson. Our hosts then get into a lengthy discussion about the planned return for live poker in Nevada, discussing the merits and pitfalls of four-handed play as well as when home poker game players might be ready to hit the tables again. Finally, Ben Ludlow ends off the show with another great One Outer with loads of laughs and a brand new array of MUST-HAVE online poker products.
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Top Pair Home Game Poker Podcast Ep. #353: Linda Johnson & Jan Fisher
04/22/2020
Top Pair Home Game Poker Podcast Ep. #353: Linda Johnson & Jan Fisher
Bruce and Robbie welcome back the very first guests to ever have appeared on the Top Pair Home Game Poker Podcast, Jan Fisher and Linda Johnson. Jan and Linda are individuals who have practically been synonymous with the game of poker for decades now. Both of them are founding members of the TDA (Tournament Directors Association) and members of the inaugural class of the Women in Poker Hall of Fame, and Linda is also a WPT Honors recipient and member of the Poker Hall of Fame. Much home game poker talk ensues among the fab foursome, which we know you’ll love. Plus, Ben Ludlow ends off the show with another great One Outer.
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Top Pair Home Game Poker Podcast Ep. #352: More Online Poker Home Game Talk
04/08/2020
Top Pair Home Game Poker Podcast Ep. #352: More Online Poker Home Game Talk
Online poker home games continue to surge in popularity in the Coronavirus era. Bruce and Robbie speak with two home game poker hosts, Robert and Chad, to learn how they handle cash games, tech issues, funds tracking, and more, plus some interesting ideas – like a private “March Madness” style bracket competition for online poker home game aficionados. George Chao of BBO Poker Tables speaks about the importance of family bonding while playing board games (not just poker) and Ben Ludlow caps off the show with a One Outer showcasing a number of unique and interesting online poker products he’s developed that’ll surely give you a good chuckle.
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Top Pair Home Game Poker Podcast Ep. #351: Online Home Games
03/25/2020
Top Pair Home Game Poker Podcast Ep. #351: Online Home Games
With the poker world and world as a whole consumed by the Coronavirus pandemic, Bruce and Robbie tackle the topic of moving home games online. They speak to a home game host, Robert, about what the experience has been like to play in private online poker home games, settling up via money transfer apps after the fact. Robbie also shares his personal experiences playing in online home games with his regular group, including all the customization options, playing for play money, and using Zoom video meetings to replicate the fun atmosphere of camaraderie. George Chao of BBO Poker Tables joins us to talk about social distancing at the felt, and Ben Ludlow caps off the show with a One Outer talking about an unrecognizable Las Vegas and returning to the online poker grind.
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Top Pair Home Game Poker Podcast Ep. #350: Ashley Adams
03/10/2020
Top Pair Home Game Poker Podcast Ep. #350: Ashley Adams
Bruce and Robbie welcome popular veteran poker strategy author Ashley Adams to the show to talk about his new book Winning Poker in 30 Minutes a Day, published by D&B Poker. They discuss the book’s target audience, main messages, and Ashley’s goal of having written it, his third book on poker. Robbie’s home game recap includes an interesting situation regarding what to do in a declare game when having both a strong high and low hand and there’s also plenty of talk about the world’s “topic du jour” – all things Corona virus-related – and how that ought to affect home game poker (or not). George Chao of BBO Poker Tables brings a great segment to the show about the poker table shape and whether a racetrack and cup holders are preferred or not. Finally, we end off with a One Outer featuring a couple of great off-the-cuff remarks overheard at some of our latest home games.
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Top Pair Home Game Poker Podcast Ep. #349: Tommy Angelo and Lee Jones
02/27/2020
Top Pair Home Game Poker Podcast Ep. #349: Tommy Angelo and Lee Jones
Bruce and Robbie welcome famed poker coaches Tommy Angelo and Lee Jones to the show to talk about their great new project called Poker Simple. They also have a short chat with Steve Fredlund, founder of the Rec Poker Podcast, to welcome him and the show to the . After some traditional home game recaps from our hosts, George Chao of BBO Poker Tables chimes in with a segment featuring all the information you always wanted to know about poker table armrests. Finally, Ben Ludlow takes a look at the “important tradition of complaining” that some members of the poker community have in the lead up to the World Series of Poker each summer.
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Top Pair Home Game Poker Podcast Ep. #348: ¡Viva Madrid!
02/12/2020
Top Pair Home Game Poker Podcast Ep. #348: ¡Viva Madrid!
Bruce and Robbie are back for another fun-filled show, and they’ve both taken poker trips! Bruce headed to Wendover, Nevada to step foot inside a brick and mortar poker room for the first time in years, while Robbie flew abroad . After recapping their action at the felt, and Robbie sharing some fascinating “Madrid poker rules”, Bruce talks Oscar night betting strategies. Finally, in the spirit of awards season, Ben Ludlow’s One Outer tackles some notable (and perhaps somewhat less notable) Global Poker Award snubs.
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Top Pair Home Game Poker Podcast Ep. #347: Ben Ludlow
01/30/2020
Top Pair Home Game Poker Podcast Ep. #347: Ben Ludlow
On their first show of 2020, Bruce and Robbie announce a big move to the Cardplayer Lifestyle Podcast Family. They’ll also catch you up on almost a month’s worth of home game recaps. Poker playing stand-up comedian Ben Ludlow joins our hosts for an interview. After all it’s nice to get to know that guy who does our One Outer segments, eh? George Chao of BBO Poker Tables is back with another great segment about the practical differences between low end and high end tables; you get what you pay for! Finally, Ben Ludlow’s got another great, funny, and must-listen take on the big online poker matchups Phil Galfond is having.
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Top Pair Podcast 346: Poker Chips, Ahoy!
12/31/2019
Top Pair Podcast 346: Poker Chips, Ahoy!
Bruce and Robbie dive deep into all the different kinds of poker chips you can use when hosting a home game, and recap their last home game sessions of 2019. George Chao of BBO Poker Tables has a great Table Talk segment on giving your home game poker table all sorts of technological upgrades, and Ben Ludlow shares a One Outer take on poker’s current hot topic: tournament re-entry!
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Top Pair Podcast 345: Interview with Chad Holloway
12/18/2019
Top Pair Podcast 345: Interview with Chad Holloway
Bruce and Robbie are joined by longtime PokerNews stalwart, LFG podcast co-host, and poker media veteran Chad Holloway. The trio discuss all aspects of home game play, compare notes and stories, and share their preferences for how home games ought to be best run. Plus, home game recaps, hand analyses, giveaways, and a great One Outer take from Ben Ludlow on the recent goings on at Rob Yong’s high stakes home game on PokerGO.
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Top Pair Podcast 344: Straddles, Czech Raising, and Poker Training Oh My!
12/04/2019
Top Pair Podcast 344: Straddles, Czech Raising, and Poker Training Oh My!
Robbie recaps his solo three-day poker trip to the Czech Republic. Bruce talks about a new book on straddles he’s looked into. The hosts dip into the mailbag to hear from a listener looking to help a friend improve at the game, and offer some tips, suggestions, and advice on poker training programs. George from BBO Poker Tables discusses how to keep your poker table in pristine condition, while Ben Ludlow has us rolling with his takes on the WSOP Player of the Year snafu.
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Top Pair Podcast 343: The Best Tips for How to Avoid All Types of Poker Tilt
11/14/2019
Top Pair Podcast 343: The Best Tips for How to Avoid All Types of Poker Tilt
Bruce Briggs and Robbie Strazynski review a great strategy article on five different types of tilt and how to avoid them at the table. Of course, they also fill you in on their latest adventures and misadventures in their local hoe games. George from BBO Poker Tables is back with a brand new segment on racetracks. No, not the kind that have horses, but rather the kind you’ll find at the felt! Plus, Ben Ludlow’s got a great One Outer segment with hot takes on what all the fuss is about Presidential candidate Andrew Yang’s online poker tweet.
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Top Pair Podcast 342: Poker, Sports Betting, and Ivey, oh my!
10/23/2019
Top Pair Podcast 342: Poker, Sports Betting, and Ivey, oh my!
Bruce Briggs and Robbie Strazynski take you on their respective rollercoaster journeys at the home game felt. They interview Alex Craig of Thebetbot.com and discuss what it is that attracts poker players to sports betting. George from BBO Poker Tables discusses what the signs are that indicate it’s time to replace your poker table, and Ben Ludlow’s One Outer offers a hot take on Phil Ivey at the WSOP Europe.
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Top Pair Podcast 341: Interview with Jason Somerville
10/09/2019
Top Pair Podcast 341: Interview with Jason Somerville
Star poker personality, Team PokerStars Pro, and Run It Up founder Jason Somerville joins our hosts to talk about his home game history as well as the all-new Run It Up studies live home games. Bruce and Robbie chime in with recaps of the many home game sessions they’ve played since last episode. We’ve also got some great “Table Talk” from George Chao of BBO Poker Tables, plus the debut of stand-up comic and poker lover Ben Ludlow taking over the traditional One Outer segment to end the show.
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Top Pair Podcast 340: Back to the Home Game Grind
09/25/2019
Top Pair Podcast 340: Back to the Home Game Grind
After a long time away from the home game felt, Bruce Briggs and Robbie Strazynski have some fun and interesting home game recaps to share. They also briefly discuss “the evolution of the home game,” where after starting out for small stakes, “suddenly” there seems to be a lot more money at the table. Approaching the show’s 10th anniversary, the co-hosts turn to the audience to give thanks, but also to get feedback for new ideas and segments to produce in the future and new interviewees to ask about their home game histories.
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Top Pair Podcast 339: So Long, Sweet Summer...
09/06/2019
Top Pair Podcast 339: So Long, Sweet Summer...
In episode 339 Bruce Briggs and Robbie Strazynski are finally back with a new show after a lengthy summer break. Bruce moved house and is getting used to the new neighborhood in Salt Lake City, while Robbie and his family visited New England for the month of August. Bruce is only just now returning to the felt, but Robbie managed to squeeze in a couple short poker rooms visits while on holiday + met poker author Ashley Adams and got to visit his awesome home poker room. The hosts recap their summers, talk plenty of poker, and briefly discuss what pro poker players do during their post-WSOP summer holidays. Finally, a funny quip from poker legend Eli Elezra will leave you chuckling to end off the show...
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Top Pair Podcast 338: WSOP Recaps, with Dan Michalski and Donna Lawton
08/01/2019
Top Pair Podcast 338: WSOP Recaps, with Dan Michalski and Donna Lawton
In episode 338 Bruce Briggs and Robbie Strazynski are back together again after an extended summer hiatus. Pokerati.com’s Dan Michalski and returning guest Donna Lawton check in to share their experiences playing in a celebrity-laden charity poker tournament and the WSOP Main Event, respectively. Plus, Robbie recaps his own fun-filled World Series of Poker trip working during the Main Event and Bruce holds down the fort with a recap of his home game action.
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Top Pair Podcast 337: Hosting Issues
06/26/2019
Top Pair Podcast 337: Hosting Issues
In episode 337 Bruce Briggs and Robbie Strazynski invite Cody, from Nashville, a longtime listener and home game host to the show. They discuss a variety of home game hosting-related issues, such as vetting players, how to source new players, and more. The hosts let you know about not one, not two, but THREE upcoming events in Las Vegas, as the World Series of Poker continues, plus some fun session recaps, talk about card pips and a fun One Outer that’ll have you chuckling.
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Top Pair Podcast 336: Viva Las Vegas: The WSOP is in Session!
06/18/2019
Top Pair Podcast 336: Viva Las Vegas: The WSOP is in Session!
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.
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