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PODCAST

The Mechanics of Poker Podcast

Rene "TheWakko"

In The Mechanics of Poker podcast, Rene aka ‘TheWakko’ and Mindset & Performance coach Adam Carmichael deconstruct high stakes poker players. They are figuring out what it is about them, how they think, and what they do that makes them so successful. The hosts place an extra focus on the obstacles these players had to overcome and the skills they had to develop in their rise to the top.

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All Episodes

142:58

Beneath the Cards: Garrett Adelstein

The Mechanics of Poker Podcast ·

2026/09/09

Garrett Adelstein joins Mechanics of Poker to break down the mindset, risk tolerance, and obsession that helped him become one of live poker’s biggest winners. He reflects on going broke at 22, rebuilding with stricter guardrails, the edges that still matter in high-stakes live poker, and how perfectionism can be both a superpower and a liability. Garrett also opens up about the fallout from the infamous J4 hand and why, at the highest level, being technically good at poker is simply not enough.

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132:02

E74 Professional Poker Masterclass 101: Lessons From...

The Mechanics of Poker Podcast ·

2026/07/09

Agustín went from 5NL to playing 40K NL - the biggest online cash games in the world - in six years. In this episode he breaks down how he game-selects, how he manages risk and bankroll on the way up, why he never let a downswing spiral, and the daily habits that built one of the fastest, steadiest rises we've covered on this podcast.

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154:21

VeniVidi1993 | The Mindset of an Online End Boss

The Mechanics of Poker Podcast ·

2026/06/18

He Reached Financial Freedom And His Life Felt Over | Dirk "VeniVidi" Gerritse | EP73 Dirk "VeniVidi" Gerritse reached financial freedom at the end of 2022. No alarm. In bed until 11. No reason to get up. The months that followed were some of the unhappiest of his life. In this episode, Dirk breaks down what actually happens when the goal is reached, why poker identity becomes a liability when you step away, and how the EV mindset traps players long after the bankroll stops needing

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148:01

He Used GTO to Hide. Here Is What That Cost Him.

The Mechanics of Poker Podcast ·

2026/05/22

In Episode 72, our guest Felipe "Lipe Piv" Boianovsky talks about how he used GTO as a psychological defense for years, defaulting to solver-approved lines not to optimize play but to protect himself from judgment whenever exploits went wrong. What looks like discipline can be a performance leak. Felipe walks through how insecurity shows up in high-pressure spots, how working with performance coaches and Eastern philosophy gradually shifted his relationship with external approval, and why trusting

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150:26

The High Stakes Lesson Most Poker Players Learn Too Late

The Mechanics of Poker Podcast ·

2026/05/06

In Episode 71 of the Mechanics of Poker Podcast, we sit down with Yoshi "Play4livin" Paco Nagaki to break down the part of high-stakes poker nobody warns you about, the moment the body sends the bill.Most players think the climb is the hard part. Yoshi disagrees. He believes the real test starts after you get there, when chronic stress, lost sleep, and a body that's quit on you force you to choose between grinding harder or actually living.

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145:08

The Dark Side of Being Staked: $200K in Debt

The Mechanics of Poker Podcast ·

2026/04/21

In Episode 70 of the Mechanics of Poker Podcast, we sit down with Andy “Bowie” Wilson to break down one of the toughest realities in poker, surviving massive downswings.Most players think the game is about talent. Andy disagrees. He believes the real edge comes from the willingness to get destroyed over and over again, and still show up the next day.From his early days to battling through a 1,000 buy-in downswing, Andy shares the psychological and financial pressure of high-stakes MTTs, and the “war

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139:43

He lost for 18 months, then won a Million in under 6...

The Mechanics of Poker Podcast ·

2026/04/07

Nickolas Schuler is part of a new generation of high-stakes poker players who have risen quickly through the online ranks, building a career in one of the most competitive and psychologically demanding environments in modern games. At just 25 years old and only a few years into his professional career, his path has already included rapid success, brutal downswings, bankroll setbacks, and the kind of high-pressure decisions that define whether a player survives in high stakes or disappears.

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142:15

The Coach Behind Spain’s Poker Dominance

The Mechanics of Poker Podcast ·

2026/03/20

In Episode 68 of the podcast, we sit down with Raúl Mestre, a pioneer of poker coaching and founder of EducaPoker, the platform that helped shape an entire generation of elite Spanish poker players. Over the past two decades, Mestre has played a central role in building one of the strongest poker ecosystems in the world.In this deep conversation, we explore how Spain quietly became one of the most dominant forces in modern poker and what it actually takes to develop world-class players. Mestre

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183:43

How Sam Greenwood Built a 20-Year Career in High...

The Mechanics of Poker Podcast ·

2026/02/24

In episode 68 of the podcast, we sit down with high-stakes tournament pro Sam Greenwood, creator of the popular Substack "Punt of the Day" where he publicly dissects his biggest mistakes. In this deep 3-hour conversation, we explore the evolution of poker strategy, the mental game of high-stakes competition, and the challenge of building a sustainable life around professional poker. We chat about why documenting mistakes is more valuable than celebrating wins, how the solver revolution transformed

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202:52

Sergio "Donk Orleone", Poker Is Not That Complex...

The Mechanics of Poker Podcast ·

2026/02/05

In episode 66 of the MOPP we are joined by high-stakes online cash-game player Sergio, better known as Donk Orleone. In this episode we break down why modern poker players are over-complicating the game, hiding behind solvers, and losing touch with intuition, experience, and performance fundamentals. We chat about why poker is hard, but not complex in the way most players think, how solver obsession creates fear, ego, and bad decision-making, the real difference between theory and performance, why

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145:19

Seth Davies, The Truth About High Rollers (Nobody...

The Mechanics of Poker Podcast ·

2026/02/05

In episode 65 of the MOPP we chat with high-stakes MTT player Seth Davies to break down what it really takes to survive and thrive at the highest levels of poker. We talk about resilience, composure under pressure, winners tilt, physical training, solvers, lifestyle, and the hidden skills required to move from mid-stakes to high-stakes poker. Seth shares how his sports background shaped his mindset, why self-awareness matters more than most players think, and how elite players adapt in today’s

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147:26

How Pedro "Biluzin" Toledo Crushed The Best Poker...

The Mechanics of Poker Podcast ·

2025/12/18

In episode 64 of the MOPP, we chat with freshly crowned cash-game world champ Pedro "Biluzin" Toledo about his rise up the stakes and his epic performance that took down the championship

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183:17

E61 - Justin Saliba, With This Trick You'll Eat Your...

The Mechanics of Poker Podcast ·

2025/12/11

In episode 61 of the MOPP we chat with high-stakes MTT player Justin Saliba. Justin breaks down what it truly takes to perform at the highest levels of poker. We talk about “war mode,” the mental state he uses to lock in quickly, manage emotions, and stay sharp under pressure—especially in deep runs and seven-figure spots. Justin shares how fatigue exposes your natural tendencies, why recovery and structure matter, and how he balances technical study with peak performance.

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76:42

CGWC Special E03 - Let's Talk Strategy Upgrades

The Mechanics of Poker Podcast ·

2025/09/08

In this third part of the The CGWC special, our 5 competitors dive deep into strategy, study habits, and what it really takes to improve at the highest levels. We cover breakthrough moments, the best and worst advice, common mistakes, evolving routines, and how to fix leaks effectively. You’ll also hear insights on misconceptions about professionals, balancing simple vs complex strategies, intuition vs data, and whether RNG truly matters.

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74:53

CGWC Special E02 - The Toughest Moments That Shaped...

The Mechanics of Poker Podcast ·

2025/09/08

In this second part of the The CGWC special, we continue chatting with five of the top competitors from the challenge. We cover the road that got them here. From the lowest points in poker to the confidence, motivation, and skills it takes to go compete in the cash-game world championship, this episode covers it all. We talk early challenges, big downswings, risk-taking, tournament vs. cash game dynamics, and how goals and fulfillment evolve over time. Packed with insights any aspiring or seasoned

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113:04

CGWC Special E01 - How 30 Days of Poker Pushed 5 of...

The Mechanics of Poker Podcast ·

2025/08/29

In this special edition of The Mechanics of Poker Podcast, we sat down with five of the top competitors from the Cash-Game World Championship Mid-Stakes edition. Together we dive into the preparation, pressure, and mindset needed to battle through one of the toughest online arenas. From adapting to new formats, handling mistakes, and staying sharp in a reg-heavy field — to the routines, surprises, and lessons learned along the way — this episode gives you a behind-the-scenes look at what it really

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198:19

E59 - Vlastimil Pustina, How Distraction Destroys...

The Mechanics of Poker Podcast ·

2025/07/30

In episode 59 of the MOPP we sit down with live high-stakes NLH cash-game player Vlastimil Pustina for an honest, wide-ranging conversation about the emotional and mental evolution required to thrive in high-stakes poker. Vlastimil opens up about his transformation from a carefree, party-fueled lifestyle to one grounded in self-awareness, intentional routines, and inner work. We explore how poker can act as a mirror for self-discovery, uncovering the roles of fear, perfectionism, and overstimulation

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200:49

E58 - Wouter "MMAsherdog" Beumers, The Truth About...

The Mechanics of Poker Podcast ·

2025/07/07

In episode 58 we meet the man behind the dog avatar, high-stakes cash-game player Wouter "MMAsherdog" Beumers. Wouter shares his journey from crushing low stakes to navigating the complexities of high-stakes poker, revealing how understanding human behavior—rather than blindly following solver outputs—is the real key to success. We explore the balance between exploitative play and GTO, the importance of building creative strategies that boost EV, and how smart bankroll growth requires financial

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237:31

E57 - Anton WIgg, How AI Turned him Into the Poker...

The Mechanics of Poker Podcast ·

2025/07/07

In episode 57 we chat with long-time MTT player Anton Wigg. Anton shares how his Waldorf education shaped his poker approach through systems thinking and first principles. He discusses using AI for learning, knowledge retention, and the future of poker with technology. We explore the links between fear, attention, purpose, and ethics in tech, emphasizing curiosity, communication, and emotional awareness. We discuss poker as both competition and entertainment, the importance of understanding people,

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200:58

MOPP E56 - Benny "RunGodLike" Glaser, The Most...

The Mechanics of Poker Podcast ·

2025/07/07

In episode 56 we chat with High-Stakes Mixed-Game specialist Benny Glaser. Benny opens up about his poker journey—from his early competitive drive to becoming one of the most accomplished mixed games players in the world. We dive deep into the mental game, the transition from online to live poker, strategic breakthroughs, and what it really takes to thrive in high-pressure environments like final tables and grinding series. Benny also explores the psychology of poker with insights from Adam

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