Episodes

This week on the Ante Up Poker Podcast, we’ve got a packed show that hits the heart and the hard decisions. Elle and I kick things of on Table Talk by diving into the WSOP rule controversy. Then we shift gears to some good news with all charges against The Lodge were dropped, and highlight the newest issue of Ante Up Magazine. We also lean into the “Bet on Better” movement, spotlighting incredible charity efforts like the Baller Dream event at Circa Resort & Casino and the upcoming Gaming for G...

This week on the Ante Up Poker Podcast, Dustin King joins Table Talk with a Rivers recap, and a look ahead to the September Ante Up Poker Tour stop. We highlight poker doing good with Ante Up for Autism and a $105K Camp One Step fundraiser. In Call the Floor, Elliott breaks down a tricky all-in showdown ruling, and in HOTW, we debate whether a three-barrel bluff went too far. Plus, a Patreon Badugi recap, leaderboard shakeups, cruise satellites, and a One Outer that hits home about turning lif...

Elle and I kick things off on Table Talk by diving into poker couples, how relationships handle the swings, and what it’s like sharing the felt with your significant other. Then we recap the latest Patreon game, where the action didn’t disappoint and a few familiar names found their way back into the spotlight. On Call the Floor, Elliott breaks down a wild home game situation that had just about everything go wrong. If you’ve ever wondered how messy things can get when the rules aren’t clear (o...

Elle is back around the table this week for Table Talk, and we’ve got plenty to dive into. We highlight some exciting Bet on Better opportunities, celebrate Stephen Jones continuing his Ante Up Run Good, and take a look at what’s happening at Rivers Casino in Schenectady. In Call the Floor, Elliott tackles a tricky situation where a listener’s hand was ruled dead after being dealt too many cards. Was the ruling correct? Patrick and I jump into a HOTW that starts off looking like a dream scenari...

This week on the Ante Up Poker Podcast, we’ve got a packed show with a little bit of everything for the A-Team. We kick things off with an exciting announcement as Ante Up joins forces with Bluffers on ClubGG. Partnering with Eric Morris and Mike Leah to bring even more opportunities to our community. This is one you’re definitely going to want to hear about. To get to the Bluffers Club download ClubGG and create an account. Search for the Club ID 679450 and the referral ID 7188-3183. Once you ...

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, we discuss the sudden and indefinite closure of The Lodge, a story that’s still devel...

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 what’s made this series so special, and why this place has quickly become ...

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 excited about the upcoming trip to Arizona, including the An...

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, there’s a new addition to the Ante Up studio that should m...

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 (LAPC) and what it might signal about the Los Angeles tournament ...

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 and whales in the background. The 2026 WSOP Sum...

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 incredible work being done through Camp One Step’s charity poker efforts, and how this com...

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 that sparks plenty of debate. Patrick and I then break down a wild b...

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 break down this week’s HOTW, playing pocket tens...

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 then break down this week’s Hand of the Week featuring pock...

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 floor to defer a decision until after a hand is completed. Patrick joins Joe f...

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 full of limpers. I wrap it up with Joe’s One Outer, focusing on the power ...

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 are around the table for Table Talk, breaking down some of the poker action kicking off the new year and disc...

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 family, enjoying Christmas, and coming...

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 HOTW puts Patrick and I i...

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 sparks great discussion. Then it’s time for HOTW, w...

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 fold? Or just an accidental fastball from excitement? Patrick and I tackle another HOTW, 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 thankful for this year. Click here to check out Octopi Poker Click here for ou...