On this episode of Gamble Up!, David ODB Baker breaks down his life-changing WSOP run, including a huge bracelet win and a near-miss at a second. The crew dives into the Club WPT Gold controversy, poker’s most disruptive personalities, and celebrates this summer’s biggest winners — from The Grinder to the women crushing it on poker’s biggest stage.
0:00 – Welcome + ODB’s Epic SummerThe hosts recap the whirlwind WSOP, and ODB reveals his insane daily grind and personal success.8:00 – ODB’s Emotional Win + Career LegacyDavid shares the emotion behind winning his no-limit bracelet and what it means for his family.14:45 – WSOP 5K Turbo: ODB’s Deep Run Almost Ends in GloryODB details a rollercoaster ride through the final event of the summer, nearly securing back-to-back bracelets.18:30 – WSOP Scandal: WPT Gold Pass Deal Gone WrongThe guys dive deep into the Club WPT Million controversy and lifetime bans handed down by WSOP.23:50 – ODB’s Unfiltered Take on the WPT/WSOP FeudA macro-level breakdown of poker politics, collusion accusations, and tournament integrity.40:25 – Martin Kabrhel & Kassouf: Villains or Visionaries?ODB gives his candid opinion on disruptive behavior at the table and the media’s role in fueling it.46:30 – Why Poker Media Can’t Help ItselfDebating the industry’s obsession with personalities like Kassouf and how it shapes public perception.58:45 – The Grinder Wins the Poker Players Championship… Again!A tribute to Michael Mizrachi’s fourth PPC title and his legendary, unorthodox approach to poker.1:04:45 – The Grinder Story: Pure Poker LegendFrom partying to dominating, ODB explains why Grinder deserves a movie — and a place in poker lore.1:13:00 – Shoutouts: Esther Taylor, Leo Margets & Women Crushing It at the WSOP
[00:00] Gamble Up! Ep. #2[01:28] World Series of Poker & Golf Trips: David Baker expresses excitement about discussing the World Series of Poker and shares details about recent and upcoming golf trips, including the Savage Invitational and playing at Pinehurst.[04:21] World Series of Poker Attendance & Crypto: Adam discusses the upcoming World Series of Poker, speculates on potential impacts on attendance due to travel difficulties, and mentions the possible effect of cryptocurrency bouncing back.[04:47] Poker Player's WSOP Approach: Adam asks David about his strategy for playing the World Series of Poker, contrasting it with players focused solely on maximizing profit in cash games versus those chasing bracelets in tournaments.[08:41] Favorite WSOP Events: Adam and David discuss their preferred tournaments on the World Series of Poker schedule, highlighting specific games and types of events they enjoy playing.[11:39] Skill Gap in Poker Games: Adam asks David about the skill difference between players in games like Bidugi compared to No Limit Hold'em, leading to a discussion about the learning curve and fundamental mistakes in less common games.[12:48] Growing the Game & Learning: David emphasizes his mission to grow the game of poker and shares a story about teaching Danny Tang how to play Bidugi during a tournament, illustrating how players can learn new games.[14:42] Learning Mixed Games - Cheap Lesson: David suggests playing lower buy-in mixed game events at the World Series is an affordable way to learn, offering more hands and observation opportunities than expensive cash games.[17:43] Poker Learning Resources & Staking: Adam mentions resources for learning poker, like PokerGO subscriptions, and the conversation shifts to players finding backing and using staking sites for the World Series.[21:46] New WSOP App & Rule Changes: The hosts discuss the new World Series of Poker Plus app for tournament registration and buy-ins, followed by an in-depth look at recently clarified rules regarding electronic devices and coaching at final tables.[25:50] Debate on Coaching Rule: David and Adam discuss the ambiguity of the new rule banning coaching in the tournament room, questioning what actions would be considered a violation.[29:31] WSOP Fantasy Draft: The conversation shifts to the World Series of Poker Fantasy Draft, specifically the 25K and 500 leagues, and how players approach drafting teams and gathering information.[40:58] ODB 500 Fantasy League & Survivor Sweat Partnership: David announces the 10th anniversary of his $500 fantasy league, its connection to the 25K draft values, and an exciting new title sponsorship with Survivor Sweat, offering unique prize packs.[48:12] Poker Org Partnership & Content: David talks about his new collaboration with Poker.org to provide dedicated coverage of the fantasy contests and produce weekly vlogs, plus a free fantasy contest offered by Poker.org.[52:54] The "Soft" Younger Generation: David shares a strong opinion on younger poker players, calling them "soft" for not grinding long hours and emphasizing the old-school mentality of battling through fatigue.[55:04] The "F*ck That Guy" Mentality: David explains his personal aggressive poker strategy, which involves observing opponents and intentionally doing what they don't want him to do, a mindset he attributes to his career success.Please Like & Subscribe! Follow Us On X.
00:00 Introduction to the Gamble Up! Podcast, featuring hosts Adam Schwartz and David "ODB" Baker. ODB discusses his background in poker, golf, and sports betting, setting the stage for the podcast's focus. 03:29 ODB talks about playing high-stakes mixed games at Bobby's Room in the Bellagio, alongside names like Doyle Brunson, Chip Reese and Phil Ivey. 07:13 ODB recounts a story about discovering and mentoring poker pro Sean Daniels, who went on to win a World Poker Tour title. 15:02 The hosts discuss the potential impact of factors like travel restrictions and the crypto market on the turnout of the World Series of Poker. 20:46 Adam and ODB make a wager on the total entries for the World Series of Poker main event, highlighting the competitive nature of poker players. 22:33 ODB shares his views on how the World Series of Poker can be improved, including limiting late registration time and showcasing high-stakes players. 29:00 The hosts discuss the grueling nature of the World Series of Poker main event, with ODB responding to Phil Hellmuth's comments about it being too hard for him to play due to age. 31:05 The World Series of Poker: Balancing Skill and Fatigue34:05 Phil Hellmuth's Critique: A Personal Perspective35:27 The Evolution of Fantasy Poker: Engaging the Community39:02 Casual Fans and the 25K Fantasy Pool: Bridging the Gap41:26 The NFL and Fantasy: Lessons for Poker Engagement46:13 Super Contest Insights: Strategies and Experiences52:01 The Emotional Rollercoaster of Betting: A Personal Journey58:34 The Masters: A Golfer's Perspective on Pressure and Performance The Gamble Up! Podcast, hosted by Adam Schwartz and David "ODB" Baker, dives into the exciting world of high-stakes gambling, featuring in-depth discussions on poker, sports betting, and golf. In this episode, ODB shares captivating stories from his decades of experience in the gambling world, from playing in legendary poker rooms with the biggest names in the game to discovering and mentoring up-and-coming poker talent.Listeners will gain valuable insights into the professional poker scene, including the allure of the World Series of Poker, the strategy behind mixed games, and the debate around late registration in tournaments. Beyond poker, the hosts also touch on the impact of external factors like travel restrictions and cryptocurrency trends on the gambling community. Gamble Up! delivers entertaining anecdotes and expert analysis for anyone passionate about the thrill of the game.