Ante Up Poker Podcast – Chapter 4 Ep. 13: "Rolling with the Unexpected"

Date: April 10, 2026
Host: Joe Scales
Guests/Co-Hosts: Elle, Elliot Schecter, Patrick

Episode Overview

This episode, titled "Rolling with the Unexpected," is all about how poker – and life – are full of curveballs, and how adapting to things not going according to plan is a skill you develop out of necessity. Joe Scales and his co-host Elle bring their trademark humor and warmth, mixing community updates, travel tales, tournament talk, and meaningful reflections, while regular segments like “Call the Floor,” “Hand of the Week,” and “Joe’s One Outer” deliver strategy and stories for the everyday player. This week, the team discusses community, charity, and the mentality required for the swings of poker and life.

Episode Structure & Key Segments

1. Opening Banter & Community Updates

Timestamps: 00:18–09:37

Technical Apologies:
- Joe opens by apologizing for last week’s missing YouTube episode due to technical issues, but promises the fix is in place.
- Elle is back after personal commitments, touching on family health struggles (“Breaking your femur is no joke…major osteoporosis, it’s even more of a no joke.” – Elle, 04:14) and expressing gratitude for support.
- Joe gives heartfelt thanks to healthcare workers, especially travel nurses:
  
  “If you're a travel nurse, I’m going to hug you every time I see you.” – Elle (04:42)
Patreon & Discord:
- Regular monthly Patreon games locked in for the 16th (Hold ‘em) and 23rd (mixed, Badoogie).
- Discord community is thriving—listeners are encouraged to join.
Running Good:
- Shout out to Steven Jones for wearing the Ante Up hat on a heater in recent events, including deep runs in Arizona and Prague.
- “He’s got the momentum headed into summer, so we’re super excited to see what you’re going to be up to, Stephen.” – Elle (06:31)
Trip & Tournament Deals:
- Circa Las Vegas promotion: “Two night stay, $100 dining credit, $100 beverage credit, and a daybed at Stadium Swim for $400” – Elle (07:19)
- Schenectady series and charity events highlighted, with references to mini-mains and unique events like the “black chip bounty.”
- Free alcohol for cash game players all month (“Oh my gosh, all this month!” – Elle, 09:23)

2. Bet on Better – Charity Poker Events

Timestamps: 09:37–13:54

Upcoming Charity Events in Chicagoland:
- Camp One Step: April 16th at Galleria Marchetti, major prizes including $10k WSOP Main Event Seat. Bob Popper is a bounty guest (“You knock him out, you get a huge prize. These prizes are…huge baskets of beautiful donated prizes…” – Elle, 10:05).
- Gaming for Green: June 11th, same venue, with early bird pricing until May 3rd.
- Both events raise funds to send children with cancer and their families to camp:
  
  “The true main event of the evening is sending kids with cancer, their siblings, and family to camp. ... To bring a bright spot into a child with cancer and their family is huge. And that's the whole point of the evening.” – Elle (10:52)
Call for Listener Charity Events:
- Listeners are asked to share charity poker events from all regions so the show can amplify their reach.
Reflections on Poker Community Generosity:
- “Poker players are giving people 100%.” – Elle (13:24)
- Local charity events (e.g., clubs raising funds for a dog park) celebrated.

3. Call the Floor with Elliot Schecter

Timestamps: 15:02–27:22

Home Game Ruling Debate:
- Listener Cody describes a situation: receives 3 cards in a self-dealt home game, speaks up after one fold, dealer says his hand is dead (not a misdeal), and the host is unsure of ruling.
- Elliot’s Ruling:
  - In casinos, this scenario is almost always a misdeal (“One person folding does not constitute action…” – Elliot, 18:05).
  - In home games, stricter rules may apply, and house rules prevail.
  - Personal responsibility emphasized—players should check their hands for the correct number of cards immediately.
  - “If three people would have acted, you would have had no recourse…At some point, you do have to protect your hand. It’s one of the primary rules of the game.” – Elliot (20:41)
Fairness & Consistency:
- Key concern is setting fair rules and applying them equally:
  - “As long as they’re consistent, then it’s fine…the host is making the decision they think is best in the moment, and honestly, we’re not always going to agree with it.” – Joe (25:53)
Advice:
- Cody is encouraged not to swear off the game for one ruling—home games are about fun and flexibility.

4. Hand of the Week with Patrick

Timestamps: 27:25–47:08

Listener Hand Breakdown:
- Submitted hand by Micah from a $1/$3 home game, 6-handed, holding Q♠J♠ in the cutoff.
- Joe and Patrick discuss optimal preflop raise sizing (agree on $10-12), and post-flop strategy after flopping top pair and flush draw (J♦ 9♠ 4♠).
- Turn Decision – Big Debate:
  - Board pairs with 9♦, villain checks; discussion centers on whether to bet for value/protection or check for pot control.
  - “Sometimes I think people get scared and act out of fear and not having a plan. So…kudos for having a plan here.” – Joe (40:26)
  - Micah checks back, leading to a tough river spot after a $60 probe bet; he calls but villain shows J♥9♥ for a full house.
Key Takeaway:
- Checking back turn makes river call tougher, betting turn gathers more information and can save chips in the long run.
- “Should you be betting the turn most of the time? I think so. But once you check back, I don’t think it makes it an easier fold — I think it makes it a harder fold.” – Joe (44:49)
Listener Engagement:
- Encouragement to submit interesting hands for breakdown in future episodes.

5. Joe’s One Outer – Life Lessons from Poker

Timestamps: 47:20–50:48

Mindset for Poker and Life:
- Emphasizes how variance and setbacks are foundational to poker, and the mentality required carries over to life.
  
  “Poker actually gives us a framework…The goal isn’t to win every hand, it’s to make the best decision you can with the information you have, then live with the result. And that’s a powerful mindset if you can carry it away from the table too.” – Joe (47:20)
Key Quotes:
- “Just like in poker, where one hand doesn’t define your game, one moment doesn’t define your life.” – Joe (48:05)
- “If things aren’t going your way…ask yourself, did I play this hand the best I could? …That’s a win. Even if it doesn’t feel like it right now.” – Joe (49:17)
- “The people who succeed, at the table and away from it, aren’t the ones who avoid bad beats. They’re the ones who keep showing up, keep making good decisions, and don’t let short term results shake long-term confidence.” – Joe (48:32)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On travel nurses:
“If you're a travel nurse, I’m going to hug you every time I see you.” – Elle (04:42)
On community support and charity:
“The true main event of the evening is sending kids with cancer, their siblings, and their family to camp.” – Elle (10:52)
On home game rules:
“In casinos, this generally would have been a misdeal…One person folding is not going to constitute action.” – Elliot Schecter (18:05)
“At some point, you have to protect your hand. It’s one of the primary rules of the game.” – Elliot Schecter (20:41)
On poker mindset:
“Poker actually gives us a framework…make the best decision you can with the information you have, then live with the result.” – Joe (47:20)
“Just like in poker, where one hand doesn’t define your game, one moment doesn’t define your life.” – Joe (48:05)
On hand analysis (turn check):
“Should you be betting that turn most of the time? I think so…but once you check back, I don’t think it makes it an easier fold, I think it makes it a harder fold.” – Joe (44:49)

Important Timestamps

[03:32] Family and health update, gratitude for nurses
[06:31] Steven Jones shoutout, discussion of running good
[07:17] Circa Las Vegas promo details
[09:37] Chicagoland charity and Camp One Step event
[15:02] Start of “Call the Floor” segment
[18:05] Elliot’s ruling on the misdeal debate
[27:34] Start of “Hand of the Week” segment
[32:30] Listener hand introduction
[40:19] Analysis of checking back the turn
[47:20] Joe’s “One Outer” life reflection segment

Summary & Takeaways

This episode highlights the importance of rolling with the unexpected, both in poker and life. Community-driven, with constant encouragement to listeners to get involved—whether that’s through Patreon games, Discord, live charity tournaments, or simply sending in stories and hands. The show balances strategy, humor, and heart. Joe’s reflective closer is not just a pep talk for poker, but for anyone feeling the swings of variance in life—make smart decisions, don’t let bad beats shake your confidence, and keep showing up.

Whether you’re in it for strategy, community news, or life philosophy, this episode is full of both practical takeaways and poker wisdom that resonates far from the felt.

Ante Up Poker Podcast – Chapter 4 Ep. 13: "Rolling with the Unexpected"

Date: April 10, 2026
Host: Joe Scales
Guests/Co-Hosts: Elle, Elliot Schecter, Patrick

Episode Overview

Episode Structure & Key Segments

1. Opening Banter & Community Updates

Timestamps: 00:18–09:37

Technical Apologies:
- Joe opens by apologizing for last week’s missing YouTube episode due to technical issues, but promises the fix is in place.
- Elle is back after personal commitments, touching on family health struggles (“Breaking your femur is no joke…major osteoporosis, it’s even more of a no joke.” – Elle, 04:14) and expressing gratitude for support.
- Joe gives heartfelt thanks to healthcare workers, especially travel nurses:
  
  “If you're a travel nurse, I’m going to hug you every time I see you.” – Elle (04:42)
Patreon & Discord:
- Regular monthly Patreon games locked in for the 16th (Hold ‘em) and 23rd (mixed, Badoogie).
- Discord community is thriving—listeners are encouraged to join.
Running Good:
- Shout out to Steven Jones for wearing the Ante Up hat on a heater in recent events, including deep runs in Arizona and Prague.
- “He’s got the momentum headed into summer, so we’re super excited to see what you’re going to be up to, Stephen.” – Elle (06:31)
Trip & Tournament Deals:
- Circa Las Vegas promotion: “Two night stay, $100 dining credit, $100 beverage credit, and a daybed at Stadium Swim for $400” – Elle (07:19)
- Schenectady series and charity events highlighted, with references to mini-mains and unique events like the “black chip bounty.”
- Free alcohol for cash game players all month (“Oh my gosh, all this month!” – Elle, 09:23)

2. Bet on Better – Charity Poker Events

Timestamps: 09:37–13:54

Upcoming Charity Events in Chicagoland:
- Camp One Step: April 16th at Galleria Marchetti, major prizes including $10k WSOP Main Event Seat. Bob Popper is a bounty guest (“You knock him out, you get a huge prize. These prizes are…huge baskets of beautiful donated prizes…” – Elle, 10:05).
- Gaming for Green: June 11th, same venue, with early bird pricing until May 3rd.
- Both events raise funds to send children with cancer and their families to camp:
  
  “The true main event of the evening is sending kids with cancer, their siblings, and family to camp. ... To bring a bright spot into a child with cancer and their family is huge. And that's the whole point of the evening.” – Elle (10:52)
Call for Listener Charity Events:
- Listeners are asked to share charity poker events from all regions so the show can amplify their reach.
Reflections on Poker Community Generosity:
- “Poker players are giving people 100%.” – Elle (13:24)
- Local charity events (e.g., clubs raising funds for a dog park) celebrated.

3. Call the Floor with Elliot Schecter

Timestamps: 15:02–27:22

Home Game Ruling Debate:
- Listener Cody describes a situation: receives 3 cards in a self-dealt home game, speaks up after one fold, dealer says his hand is dead (not a misdeal), and the host is unsure of ruling.
- Elliot’s Ruling:
  - In casinos, this scenario is almost always a misdeal (“One person folding does not constitute action…” – Elliot, 18:05).
  - In home games, stricter rules may apply, and house rules prevail.
  - Personal responsibility emphasized—players should check their hands for the correct number of cards immediately.
  - “If three people would have acted, you would have had no recourse…At some point, you do have to protect your hand. It’s one of the primary rules of the game.” – Elliot (20:41)
Fairness & Consistency:
- Key concern is setting fair rules and applying them equally:
  - “As long as they’re consistent, then it’s fine…the host is making the decision they think is best in the moment, and honestly, we’re not always going to agree with it.” – Joe (25:53)
Advice:
- Cody is encouraged not to swear off the game for one ruling—home games are about fun and flexibility.

4. Hand of the Week with Patrick

Timestamps: 27:25–47:08

Listener Hand Breakdown:
- Submitted hand by Micah from a $1/$3 home game, 6-handed, holding Q♠J♠ in the cutoff.
- Joe and Patrick discuss optimal preflop raise sizing (agree on $10-12), and post-flop strategy after flopping top pair and flush draw (J♦ 9♠ 4♠).
- Turn Decision – Big Debate:
  - Board pairs with 9♦, villain checks; discussion centers on whether to bet for value/protection or check for pot control.
  - “Sometimes I think people get scared and act out of fear and not having a plan. So…kudos for having a plan here.” – Joe (40:26)
  - Micah checks back, leading to a tough river spot after a $60 probe bet; he calls but villain shows J♥9♥ for a full house.
Key Takeaway:
- Checking back turn makes river call tougher, betting turn gathers more information and can save chips in the long run.
- “Should you be betting the turn most of the time? I think so. But once you check back, I don’t think it makes it an easier fold — I think it makes it a harder fold.” – Joe (44:49)
Listener Engagement:
- Encouragement to submit interesting hands for breakdown in future episodes.

5. Joe’s One Outer – Life Lessons from Poker

Timestamps: 47:20–50:48

Mindset for Poker and Life:
- Emphasizes how variance and setbacks are foundational to poker, and the mentality required carries over to life.
  
  “Poker actually gives us a framework…The goal isn’t to win every hand, it’s to make the best decision you can with the information you have, then live with the result. And that’s a powerful mindset if you can carry it away from the table too.” – Joe (47:20)
Key Quotes:
- “Just like in poker, where one hand doesn’t define your game, one moment doesn’t define your life.” – Joe (48:05)
- “If things aren’t going your way…ask yourself, did I play this hand the best I could? …That’s a win. Even if it doesn’t feel like it right now.” – Joe (49:17)
- “The people who succeed, at the table and away from it, aren’t the ones who avoid bad beats. They’re the ones who keep showing up, keep making good decisions, and don’t let short term results shake long-term confidence.” – Joe (48:32)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On travel nurses:
“If you're a travel nurse, I’m going to hug you every time I see you.” – Elle (04:42)
On community support and charity:
“The true main event of the evening is sending kids with cancer, their siblings, and their family to camp.” – Elle (10:52)
On home game rules:
“In casinos, this generally would have been a misdeal…One person folding is not going to constitute action.” – Elliot Schecter (18:05)
“At some point, you have to protect your hand. It’s one of the primary rules of the game.” – Elliot Schecter (20:41)
On poker mindset:
“Poker actually gives us a framework…make the best decision you can with the information you have, then live with the result.” – Joe (47:20)
“Just like in poker, where one hand doesn’t define your game, one moment doesn’t define your life.” – Joe (48:05)
On hand analysis (turn check):
“Should you be betting that turn most of the time? I think so…but once you check back, I don’t think it makes it an easier fold, I think it makes it a harder fold.” – Joe (44:49)

Important Timestamps

[03:32] Family and health update, gratitude for nurses
[06:31] Steven Jones shoutout, discussion of running good
[07:17] Circa Las Vegas promo details
[09:37] Chicagoland charity and Camp One Step event
[15:02] Start of “Call the Floor” segment
[18:05] Elliot’s ruling on the misdeal debate
[27:34] Start of “Hand of the Week” segment
[32:30] Listener hand introduction
[40:19] Analysis of checking back the turn
[47:20] Joe’s “One Outer” life reflection segment

Summary & Takeaways

Whether you’re in it for strategy, community news, or life philosophy, this episode is full of both practical takeaways and poker wisdom that resonates far from the felt.

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Chapter 4 Ep. 13 Rolling with the Unexpected

Summary

Ante Up Poker Podcast – Chapter 4 Ep. 13: "Rolling with the Unexpected"

Episode Overview

Episode Structure & Key Segments

1. Opening Banter & Community Updates

2. Bet on Better – Charity Poker Events

3. Call the Floor with Elliot Schecter

4. Hand of the Week with Patrick

5. Joe’s One Outer – Life Lessons from Poker

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Important Timestamps

Summary & Takeaways

Summary

Ante Up Poker Podcast – Chapter 4 Ep. 13: "Rolling with the Unexpected"

Episode Overview

Episode Structure & Key Segments

1. Opening Banter & Community Updates

2. Bet on Better – Charity Poker Events

3. Call the Floor with Elliot Schecter

4. Hand of the Week with Patrick

5. Joe’s One Outer – Life Lessons from Poker

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Important Timestamps

Summary & Takeaways