Ante Up! Pokercast

This week’s episode of the Ante Up Poker Podcast drops a little later than usual… but for good reason. Elle and I had a lot to unpack, and trust us, it’s worth the wait. We kick things off with some major headlines in the poker world, including the return of the WSOP Main Event to ESPN; A move that brings a wave of nostalgia and could have a big impact on the game’s visibility moving forward. On the flip side, ...

This week Elle and I ran into a little bit of a family emergency. So the episode will be released tomorrow instead of today. We have a lot to cover so we’re looking forward to getting back in there and touching on all the things. Cheers, Joe Scales

This week on the Ante Up Poker Podcast, we’re coming to you straight from the felt at Gila River Lone Butte, and the energy is unreal. Elle and I are joined at the table by Brownie, a Lone Butte regular, as we soak in what has been an incredible trip filled with great tournaments, even better people, and a poker room that’s been buzzing from start to finish. We share some of our favorite moments from the stop, talk about ...

On this week’s episode of the Ante Up Poker Podcast, Elle and I are briefly joined by Patrick, our resident fish, before he has to sprint out the door to make his tee time. Once Patrick heads for the golf course, Elle and I dive into a thoughtful conversation about Brad Owen’s recent post that had the poker world talking, discussing the mental side of the game and how downswings can affect even the most successful players. We also get ...

This week on the Ante Up Poker Podcast, Elle and I kick things off with some Table Talk about Robbie Strazynski and his difficult decision to cancel the upcoming Mixed Game Festival. We look at the facts, show our support, and look ahead to the next festival scheduled at Bellagio later this year. We also share the latest updates on the upcoming Ante Up poker cruise, including why now might be the perfect time to lock in your spot. Plus, ...

This week on the Ante Up Poker Podcast, we’re celebrating a milestone that belongs to every single member of the A-Team — we hit #1 in the Hobby & Leisure category! This doesn’t happen without the everyday poker players who listen, share, comment, and support what we do. We’ve been knocking on that door for a long time and now the goal is to stay there. In Table Talk, we dive into the noticeable downturn of the L.A. Poker Classic ...

Elle and I kick things off with our upcoming poker travels, including our first trip out to Gila River in Arizona for the next Ante Up Poker Tour stop. We’re looking forward to the desert scenery, great action, and connecting with the A-Team in a brand-new spot for us. Then we shift from cactus to glaciers as we dive into the details of our upcoming Alaskan Poker Cruise — because nothing says “standard poker trip” like playing cards with mountains ...

This week on the Ante Up Poker Podcast, we’ve got a full table and plenty to talk about. On Table Talk, Elle and I welcome Tia Bacon from Gila River to the show as we take a deep dive into the upcoming Ante Up Poker Tour stop at Gila River Lone Butte. We talk about what players can expect, the excitement building around the series, and why this is shaping up to be a can’t-miss event. We also spotlight the ...

This week on the Ante Up Poker Podcast, Table Talk comes fully loaded as Elle shows up with snacks and football jerseys. From there, we dive into the Patreon Game and kick around some Super Bowl prop bets and talk Octopi Poker. Here is the link to the video I was talking about. On Call the Floor, Elliott rules on a situation where a player’s hand is declared dead after stepping away from the table—always a tricky spot and one ...

This week on the Ante Up Poker Podcast, Elle and I kick things off with a listener-submitted question that sparks a great table-worthy discussion. We also dive into the Dan Cates boxing match. Here is a link to the video of that. We also touch on Maurice Hawkins capturing his 22nd WSOP Circuit ring. On Call the Floor, Elliott rules on a tricky spot where a player announces “raise” but isn’t allowed their full intended amount. Then Joe and Patrick ...

This week on the Ante Up Poker Podcast, Elle and I kick things off with a breakdown of the BB ante, a recap of last night’s Patreon game, and one of the best feel-good stories you’ll hear all year—an 88-year-old woman winning $10,000 in her very first poker tournament. Elliott steps in with a situation that goes beyond a standard Call the Floor ruling and dives into the bigger picture of how these spots should be handled. Patrick and I ...

Chapter 4, Ep. 1 marks the anniversary of a new era for the Ante Up Poker Podcast as I officially took over hosting duties 4 years ago. This week, Joe and Elle open Table Talk by celebrating the release of the latest issue of Ante Up Magazine, and Joe puts Elle on the spot with a fun quiz. In Call the Floor, Elliott breaks down a controversial ruling and explains why, in some situations, it can be acceptable for the ...

This week on the Ante Up Poker Podcast, Elle and I celebrate some recent achievements of women in poker, talk about the Circa Survivor winners, recap the Patreon Game, and discuss why the Sweepstakes Poker model may be in hot water. Elliott takes the reins in Call the Floor, ruling on a hand turned up way too early — and he is upset he didn’t called. Patrick joins me to break down a HOTW featuring pocket Jacks and a table ...

I know technically last week was Ep. 49 1/2, so we should be at Ep. 50 — but in order to keep things on track with when we actually started putting the podcast out, I made this week’s episode Ep. 51. We’re kicking off the new year with a brand-new intro for the show! You’ll hear a version of it here, and if you want to check out the full intro, head over to our Patreon page. Elle and I ...

This week on the Ante Up Poker Podcast, we’re doing something a little different. Instead of a full episode, we’re taking a well-timed step away from the table to recharge, reflect, and practice what we’re always preaching. On the show — especially in my One Outer — we talk a lot about the importance of balance, taking breaks, and enjoying life away from poker. This week, we’re finally taking our own advice. With the holidays here, we’re spending time with ...

This week on the Ante Up Poker Podcast, we’ve got a full deck of conversations, strategy, and a little crossover fun. On Table Talk, Elle and I dive into the idea of multi-tabling and firing multiple bullets, plus break down some interesting Spotify stats that caught our attention. In Call the Floor, Elliott weighs in on a tricky situation involving a player who discloses the contents of their hand—what’s allowed, what’s not, and how it should be handled. This week’s ...

This week on the Ante Up Poker Podcast, Joe and Elle welcome Michelle McGinn and Molly Brentlinger to the table: . We share laughs and insights, and then shift to a feel-good WPT moment where what could’ve been a disappointment turns into an unexpected $1,100 seat to the WPT Prime Championship. In Call the Floor, Elliott weighs in on a tricky spot involving a player whose hand is declared dead after exposing a card — and as always, his ruling ...

Dustin King from Rivers Casino & Resort in Schenectady, NY pulls up a chair with Elle and I for a packed Table Talk segment! We dive into everything happening at Rivers, the latest buzz out of NYC, and even wander into the world of AI and how it might shape the game. In Call the Floor, Elliott weighs in on a wild moment when a player gets a little too excited—sending a card flying off the table. Was it a ...

This week on the Ante Up Poker Podcast, Elle and I kick things off with a recap of the comedy show we caught and dive into holiday festivities before looking ahead at the poker action on the horizon. In Call the Floor, Elliott breaks down a confusing situation at the table — did the player call or fold? Patrick joins me for this week’s HOTW featuring pocket 9’s, and I close things out with a One Outer about what I’m ...

Elle and I are finally back home and back in the studio for a packed episode of the Ante Up Poker Podcast! This week, we kick things off with a full recap of the Ante Up Poker Championship — Then we dive into the latest GGPoker controversy shaking up the poker world, and we also recap the wild hands and friendly chaos from this week’s Patreon Home Game. In Call the Floor, Elliott weighs in on a tricky situation where ...