Poker Strategy Secrets: From Rookie to Pro in 10 Months | Hayes Pullard DSH #1111

Summary

Digital Social Hour Episode Summary

Episode: Poker Strategy Secrets: From Rookie to Pro in 10 Months | Hayes Pullard DSH #1111
Host: Sean Kelly
Guest: Hayes Pullard
Release Date: January 16, 2025

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1. Fantasy Football Insights and Strategies

The episode kicks off with an engaging discussion on fantasy football, particularly focusing on the top running backs for the season. Hayes Pullard (referred to as B) provides his insights on the competitive landscape of running backs.

• Top Running Backs Prediction:

  • Hayes Pullard: “I think it's going to be one of Derrick Henry, David Montgomery, or Ja'marr Gibbs” ([00:09]).
  • Host Sean Kelly (A): Highlights the popularity of Saquon among fantasy players but suggests potential pitfalls.

• Running Backs' Performance and Market Value:

  • Hayes emphasizes the importance of goal line touches and touchdowns, stating, “You can't sleep on David Montgomery and Ja'marr Gibbs” ([00:09]).
  • Discussion on the financial aspects of running backs in the NFL, with Hayes noting, “Not many backs got paid” ([04:31]).

2. Transition from Athletics to Poker

Hayes delves into his personal journey from being an athlete to embracing poker, highlighting the parallels between sports and strategic gameplay.

• Career Shift:
  • Hayes shares his transition from football to coaching and eventually into the poker scene. He remarks, “I'm gonna go into coaching, continue to get in that sport and grow in that aspect” ([09:20]).
  • Emphasizes the unexpected nature of athletic careers and the challenges faced when opportunities dwindle.

3. Poker Strategy and Community Building

A significant portion of the conversation centers around poker strategies, community engagement, and the growth of the game.

• Community Focus:

  • Hayes discusses the importance of fostering a vibrant poker community: “We just want to grow together” ([10:41]).
  • Highlights the inclusivity of their poker events, aiming to bring together both professionals and amateurs.

• Poker Strategies:

  • Hayes contrasts professional poker play with casual gaming, stating, “When you play random hands, trying to get lucky” ([15:40]).
  • Emphasizes maintaining the fun aspect of poker while balancing it with professional play.

4. Favorite Poker Players and Influences

Hayes shares his admiration for renowned poker figures and discusses his personal favorite players.

• Top Poker Players:

  • Phil Ivey: Describes Phil as “very low key” and appreciates his focus on the game over publicity ([23:25]).
  • Daniel Negreanu: Appreciated for his “talkative, energetic” nature, aligning with Hayes' own poker style ([23:25]).

• Personal Experiences:

  • Hayes recounts his early poker days with friends: “We learned how to play poker about nine, 10 months ago” ([15:40]).
  • Discusses memorable moments, such as handling straight flushes and bluffing scenarios.

5. Comparing Sports and Poker

The dialogue navigates through the similarities and differences between team sports and individual strategy games like poker.

• Strategic Thinking:

  • Hayes draws parallels between football strategies and poker tactics, emphasizing adaptability and quick decision-making.
  • Highlights the unforgiving nature of poker, akin to high-stakes sports scenarios: “Poker is unforgiving a sport” ([22:55]).

• Mental and Physical Demands:

  • Discusses the rigorous demands of professional sports and how they translate into the mental endurance required in poker.
  • Reflects on the physicality of sports versus the cerebral aspect of poker, noting the need for balance in both realms.

6. Tools and Platforms in Poker

The conversation touches upon the utilization of tools like Polymarker to enhance poker gameplay and strategy.

• Polymarker Usage:
  • Hayes acknowledges the presence of tools like Polymarker but shares his reliance on instinct over data-driven strategies: “If you hate the odds, bet on yourself” ([01:25]).
  • Discusses the balance between statistical analysis and gut feeling in making pivotal poker decisions.

7. Building a Sustainable Poker Career

Hayes provides insights into sustaining a long-term career in poker, emphasizing continuous learning and community support.

• Career Sustainability:
  • Stresses the importance of not losing the fun aspect of poker despite its competitive nature: “I hope I never lose the fun aspect” ([15:40]).
  • Encourages building relationships within the poker community to foster growth and support.

8. Future of Poker and Sports Integration

Looking ahead, Hayes shares his vision for the integration of poker and sports, aiming to revolutionize the poker landscape.

• Vision for Growth:

  • Expresses ambition to bring top poker talents to their platform: “We would love to have... Phil Hellmuth” ([24:45]).
  • Envisions a collaborative environment where both seasoned pros and newcomers can thrive.

• Final Thoughts:

  • Hayes concludes by reiterating his commitment to growing the poker community and fostering an environment where strategy and relationships coexist harmoniously: “That's the beauty of the game” ([23:22]).

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Notable Quotes with Attribution and Timestamps

• Hayes Pullard: “I think it's going to be one of Derrick Henry, David Montgomery, or Ja'marr Gibbs” ([00:09]).
• Hayes Pullard: “Not many backs got paid” ([04:31]).
• Hayes Pullard: “We just want to grow together” ([10:41]).
• Hayes Pullard: “Poker is unforgiving a sport” ([22:55]).
• Hayes Pullard: “I hope I never lose the fun aspect” ([15:40]).
• Hayes Pullard: “That's the beauty of the game” ([23:22]).
• Hayes Pullard: “We would love to have... Phil Hellmuth” ([24:45]).

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Conclusion

In this episode of Digital Social Hour, Sean Kelly engages in a multifaceted conversation with Hayes Pullard, bridging the worlds of professional sports and poker. Hayes offers valuable insights into fantasy football strategies, the transition from athletics to poker, and the intricacies of building a successful poker career. His reflections on community building, favorite poker personalities, and the future integration of sports and poker provide listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the strategic and social elements that define his journey from rookie to pro in just ten months.

For those interested in the dynamic interplay between sports and poker, Hayes' experiences and perspectives offer both inspiration and practical advice. Whether you're a sports enthusiast, a budding poker player, or someone intrigued by strategic career shifts, this episode delivers rich, engaging content that challenges conventional thinking and encourages authentic dialogue.

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Stay tuned to Digital Social Hour for more unfiltered conversations with thought-provoking figures from around the world.

Transcript

[A]

There's some interesting fantasy bets on up. Have you used Polymarker yet? Yeah. Let's go through some of these. Because you play fantasy. Who do you think the top fantasy running back will be at the end of the season?

[B]

Oh, that's a tough one. You talking about the goal line and touchdowns? Because I want to go for a receiving back, but I think I have to go with Derrick Henry. But, I mean, you can't sleep on David Montgomery and Ja'marr Gibbs. Like, I think it's going to be one of those three.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Oh, my gosh. I know everybody wants to say Saquon.

[A]

Saquon's number one.

[B]

My gut right now is like, bro, you're going to get slapped in the face later.

[A]

All right, guys, Hayes is back. Is this the eighth poker event? Man, you guys have been crushing it.

[B]

Yes, sir. Yes, sir. Seven successful tournaments now going on to the eighth championship tonight. We're really excited about it. And shoot. Excited for all these players that's about to come out here and try and go in, you know, the 100k purse.

[A]

Oh, it's 100k today.

[B]

100K purse, 50k for first place. So, you know, we got a lot of celebrities coming to go get it. A lot of competitive celebrities.

[A]

Let's go. You guys have been leveling up. The first one was like, 10k, right?

[B]

Yeah. So we went from, you know, 10k on the single tables and then 50,000 for. For the. The invitationals. But now, you know, since it's the championship, let's bump it up and, you know, ramp it up and just have some fun with it.

[A]

Let's get it, baby. And you got flip apps. You could bet on who's gonna win stuff.

[B]

Absolutely. You know, you got the odds, the worst odds, the best odds. You got some of the poker pros that got great eyes, even some of them that have bad odds. And you got people texting me like, oh, what are these type of odds? I'm like, bro, if you hate the odds, bet on yourself.

[A]

Did you bet on yourself?

[B]

No, I did not. I don't think I'm gonna win. I mean, it's so much to do with poker, you know, like, the cards is the cards. Like, you can't, you know, you know, do anything about it. I can have aces and somebody has a pair of jacks and the jack comes on the flop. That so?

[A]

No, for real, every tournament, someone gets out within the first, like, 10 minutes.

[B]

Yeah, that's my goal is not the first 10 minutes and walk around. Oh, what happened Is it that you, you know, was a poker pro? Guess not.

[A]

Absolutely. Who's at your table tonight?

[B]

Shoot. I think it's the Bryce Hall, Mika, Jose Canseco, Bob Minari, A really cool.

[A]

Really cool.

[B]

Yeah. So we're going to have some fun over there.

[A]

Yes, sir. Hopefully you could be the last athlete left.

[B]

That part. That's the goal. Cause there's a lot of trash talk coming around. Bryce Butler, Prince Abu Kumura, Pat P. And even Adrian Peterson, the Goat himself.

[A]

So I'm excited to see AP Play, man.

[B]

Yeah, it's been a minute. It's been a minute.

[A]

That is the Goat right there, though.

[B]

Absolutely.

[A]

I remember having him in fantasy in high school.

[B]

Really?

[A]

Oh, my God. I would win every game because of him.

[B]

That's awesome. That's crazy because I'm about to say, I didn't start playing fantasy until two years ago. And to hear people say, like, oh, I had AP Back in the day, Zeke back in the day. It's awesome. I'm like, oh, so they were balling then.

[A]

Well, you probably couldn't play as a player, right?

[B]

No. 100% crazy part is I think you can. You just can't do it for money, which I think because Austin Eckler is in, you know, fantasy, so he plays with his friends. Sometimes he plays with us. Like, I'm like, oh, so you can play fantasy. You just can't do it for money.

[A]

That makes sense. Because they don't want you incentivized to.

[B]

Absolutely, absolutely. Because, I mean, you got the inside scoop. You really want to do it, you know, like I'm about to have two touchdowns today. I already have the script. Like, I'm ready to go.

[A]

So. Yeah, there's some interesting fantasy bets on up. Have you used Polymarker yet?

[B]

No, I have not.

[A]

Have you heard about it, though?

[B]

I've seen a lot of friends.

[A]

Yeah. With the election.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[A]

Let's go through some of these. Because you play fantasy, do you think the top fantasy running back will be at the end of the season?

[B]

Oh, that's a tough one. That is a tough one. My bad. I'm trying to re. Re. Re. Remember in the top five. I mean, you. You talking about the goal line and touchdowns. Because I want to go for a receiving back, but I think I have to go with Derrick Henry. Like just cuz, you know, he's up there. He's always getting those goal line touches. I mean, Lamar Jackson in, but I mean, you can't sleep on David Montgomery and Jamar Gibbs. Like them boys Are going. You talking about 50 points a game and they're, you know, sharing two touchdowns. Two touchdowns a game. So, like, I. I think it's going to be one of those three.

[A]

Okay, I'm going with.

[B]

I'm going. I'm putting a hat on Derrick Henry, though.

[A]

Good picks. Derrick Henry is third on Polymarker right now. 18% chance.

[B]

Oh, my gosh. I know everybody wants to say Saquon. I know it's number one. My gut right now is like, bro, you got to get slapped in the face later because Saquon's going to be number one. I have Saquon in all my fantasies, but for some reason, I just. I don't know. He just gets weeded out of game sometimes. Where Derrick Henry, when they get in the red zone, he's getting the ball.

[A]

I feel, you know. So as a Giants fan, losing Saquon was really heartbreaking for me, man.

[B]

And you lost him like, right, like next door. Like, you could have just sent them anywhere else.

[A]

I mean, they didn't want to pay him.

[B]

That's unfortunate. A lot of people didn't want to play running backs this. This year. I mean, the Cowboys had an opportunity to go get Derrick Henry for 8 million bucks and just was like, no, we're going to go get.

[A]

That was too much. 8 million.

[B]

I mean, that's all. He was pretty. That's what he got paid for Baltimore for, I think was a one year deal.

[A]

That's a steal.

[B]

Not many backs got paid. I mean, Austin Eckler got two years or five million bucks. Like he's having a year, you know, with Washington and Jaden Daniels and them over there. But yeah, that was a. Not a terrible year for running backs. But, I mean, you've seen all the complaints. Like they. Yeah, you know, absolutely. So I hope after this, you know, this year and next year, like, all these running backs can get paid because they're doing what they're supposed to be doing, right? Different teams and you see Saquon balling out. Derrick Henry balling out.

[C]

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[A]

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[B]

Approach to Hiring Balling out like even J.K. dobbins, who left the Ravens and just had a winning touchdown for 30 yards, like balling out for the Chargers, and they're 7 3. So these running backs are NFL players too. Like, they deserve to get paid even though they get hurt and whatnot. I mean, got quarterbacks getting paid and Dak can't finish the season. Nothing against Dak, but, I mean, you can't. You know, injuries are inevitable, but yeah, it's. It's just a tough sport. We all know it's 100% injury proof. So it's hard to, to get out there and do it week in and week out with 18 weeks of football.

[A]

You know, it is pretty nuts because they used to be one of the highest paid positions, right? Running backs.

[B]

Absolutely one of them, you know, for sure. So, I mean, the market is going to continue to grow. These backs are getting, you know, bigger and better. And I think the best way to, to handle it now is, you see Detroit, they have, you know, Sonic and Knuckles over there, as they call themselves. Yeah. Every team has a one and two, and I think that's the way you carry yourself. I mean, unless you have a Christian McCaffrey. I mean, that's the only way you let that, you know, horse go. But I mean, even then, like you, we saw when he got hurt, Jordan Mason was out there balling. Like, we almost forgot about Christian McCaffrey like that. But it's good to see, like, these NFL players that are backups getting the recognition that they, you know, truly deserve because they're, they're ballers as well.

[A]

Absolutely. You miss.

[B]

Absolutely every day these days. I think I'm going to be. I usually one time a year, put the cleats on and play on Turkey Day. So that's always fun. We go right here at All American park and play. Just get out there and play some, you know, linebacker, receiver, like the old days, you know, get that, that fill in that urge, that competitive spirit out there.

[A]

I love it. Yeah, I bet that must be tough for athletes to just hang it up all of a sudden, man.

[B]

Especially when it's unexpected and you don't even know when it's gonna, you know, be that time. It's, it's. It's a blessing when you can actually, like, you know what, like Kenyon, Drake, Marshawn lynch, like, oh, you know what? I'm done. Like, I'm gonna hang it up.

[A]

Y.

[B]

So that's that, that's the blessing when you don't know when that, that, that time is. It's Kind of hard.

[A]

Yeah. For football. That's common, right? Average career is what, two and a half years in football?

[B]

Absolutely. I want to say it was after my rookie contract, like, end up trying out for a couple of teams and then just stopped receiving phone calls. And at that moment, you know, after a year and a half of just training and just, you know, hoping to get that call, you don't receive that call. And it's like, okay, what do I do next? Like, do I keep training and figuring out, like, when I can go play again, or do you go figure out, do you go get a job somewhere? Like, at that moment, I, you know, was sitting in my garage. I'm like, well, let me text Blake. Let me text, you know, all these NFL coaches. And at the time we started, you know, enclave and Key, and, you know, it was just, you know, getting off the ground. I'm like, you know what? I'm gonna go into coaching, continue to, you know, get in that sport and, you know, grow in that aspect. I ended up coaching at USC and then went to the New York jets right after that, and it was like, you know what? Like, I really want to join my best friend and, you know, my partner today, Blake Wynn, and, you know, grow something special.

[A]

I love it. And the rest is history.

[B]

Is the history.

[A]

This thing you're doing with CPT is going to revolutionize poker. It already has, I think, but absolutely.

[B]

I mean, it's. It's. It's. We just want to grow together. You know, this poker community has, you know, just tried to find that. That spirit, that energetic, you know, side of it, and that's what we want to bring to the table. We wasn't trying to change it at all. You know, sometimes it's like, okay, like, it's new. Are they trying to take it over? Are they trying to be WT Hustle? I'm like, no, no, no, no, no, no. Guys, like, we're just trying to bring people that aren't professionals in a room to learn how to play poker. And you can also bring your personality. Like, I'm not sitting at the table. Like, all right, I have seven outs with 27. Well, I don't even know any of that information. My gut says fold or my gut says call. And sometimes I'm right, sometimes I'm wrong. But I think that's the fun in it.

[A]

You're growing the sport because each. Each player today has millions of fans.

[B]

Absolutely. And, I mean, credit to them, because without them, you know, this, this, this, you know, seven successful tournaments does not happen without them. Without the fan base that, you know, continue to watch every tournament. So my credit is them because that's the reason, you know, the sport is continuing to grow.

[A]

Absolutely. I saw you were a track runner on your Wikipedia.

[B]

Oh snap. You bringing it out the spark.

[A]

I got a fun question for you.

[B]

Oh, let's hear it.

[A]

So do you know I show speed?

[B]

Oh yes I do.

[A]

Could you beat him in 100 meter race?

[B]

Absolutely not. That kid is fast. I actually seen that. I give credit where credit is due. I do, you know, step in when I see like the Tyreek Hill and the Noah Lyles and all that. But no, I'm not beating, you know. Damn, it's showtime. Speed.

[A]

What was your event when you were a runner though?

[B]

Just the 100 meter. I mean I did it as the third sport. You know, I went from football to basketball and then I did not want to just fall out of shape. I was just like, I guess it's track. I'm not going to go play baseball. Like I would have just go out there run some track. I usually just do it to stay in shape and you know, I get out there in 100 meter and I'm getting dusted like I'm playing against or I'm running against, you know, the black Mamba who was at Oregon D. Anthony Thomas. I'm running against George Farmer who's, you know, they were running 10 sixes and 10 fines. Like yeah, in high school.

[A]

That's fast.

[B]

Like these guys were the fastest people in our like Robert Woods, Marquis Lee, like track stars. Like I'm the same size that I was when I was, you know, a sophomore track runner at 220 pounds. Like I'm running 11 flat at as a PR you know, so best like at at the end of the day. So like I'm just doing it for conditioning.

[A]

I feel that. So you think speed can run faster than an 11?

[B]

I mean I'm not running 11 probably right now. Like if he wants to get a 40 like I might get, get out of my, my, my, my start. My, my get off is extremely fast. Now when you're talking about a turnover, like I think that's where he can probably carry to, to the 100 and beat me. But maybe 40 I can definitely get him.

[A]

He shocked me against Noah Lyles. He kept up with him.

[B]

He for sure did that. That was surprising. I don't know if Noah was, you know, really going, but I mean it's, it's still pretty impressive to see a lot of these individuals out there. I mean they're, they're young and getting it.

[A]

Absolutely. Yeah. Noah probably didn't want to get injured, honestly.

[B]

For sure. I mean I even seen, I don't know if it was I show speed, but it was, it was, it was a guy going against Sauce Gardner and he was, you know, playing one on ones and Sauce was guarding him and then he ended up taking him over the top and catching the ball. But Sauce had a full jean sweat like suit on, like playing 50%. I'm like, all right bro, like you don't really want to do this. I even see Tyree Kill getting burnt by his own kids at the camp. I don't know how serious it is, but I'm like, all right bro. Like these kids are, you know, Sauce.

[A]

Everything'S on video these days.

[B]

Yeah, but it's awesome, you know, it's good for the kids, it's good for everybody watching. Like I think it's aspiration, inspiration to be able to see people to go out there and just play football, run around like, you know, promote, you know, a healthy lifestyle. Just get outside and have fun. Get off the phone, get off the game. I know gaming is big, but you know, just get outside sometimes.

[A]

Yeah, I love those one on one dudes destroying football.

[B]

Yeah, I think it probably been destroyed.

[A]

Yeah, those are dope. I don't even watch football, but I'd rather watch that than like a game, honestly.

[B]

Absolutely. No, I absolutely agree.

[A]

Like football is like, it's a slow game. Let's be honest, like watching it, you know.

[B]

Yeah, like you only, you know, want to watch when something exciting happening or those tight games or you know, big time rivalries like you know, we just had with Buffalo and Kansas City. When you see two future hall of fame quarterbacks out there, it's like oh snap. Like this is going to the wire. Oh, it's fourth and three, game on the line and the Josh Allen just runs and knocks off and scores. I'm like, oh wow. Like this is, this is what you call entertainment.

[A]

Yeah, that's for sure. You probably watch it from a different lens cuz you can understand the intricacies of the game, but the average person's like not understanding any of that.

[B]

So, so I try and get like out of so much strategic just cuz I can like watch him like okay, that's a run. I know this is going to be cover three. Like knowing it that far, it's just like, it's like, it's like you know, when people play poker and I, when I Talk to Rampage and Wolfgang and some of these poker fs. I'm like, bro, have you ever got back to the poker table and just played, like, when you first learned how to play, like, just playing random hands, trying to, you know, get lucky and hit the river. Like, do you ever get back to that? He's like, sometimes. But, you know, you, you kind of don't want to fall in that trap because you play, you know, for cash so often. You obviously that's assure, you know, your livelihood, your career. So I'm like, I understand now. Well, shoot, I hope I never lose the, the fun aspect. Yes, money is money and when you lose it. But at the end of the day, I, I treat poker as, you know, you got nine individuals at your table. Like, these are the relationships that we're going to build. You know, sitting next to, you know, yourself. You also sit next to ap, who I've never met but looked at him as a goat. Yeah, you also, and you know, all these big time influencers next to you. Like, that's the relationships you get to, you know, create in 72 others.

[A]

Absolutely. Who's the best poker player you've played against?

[B]

Oh, wow. I would have to say Blake.

[A]

Really? He's that good?

[B]

To me, he is.

[A]

He's playing tonight, right?

[B]

Whether. No, he's not going to play tonight. You know, that's commish. He's going to, he's going to stay out of it. But no, like, he's the one that, you know, taught me how to play. We used to play, you know, at the home games for, you know, very, very low stakes. And I mean, just trying to read him and figure him out because I think that's where my game is. Like, I'm very energetic and, you know, just trying to get people's personality up and out and talking. And then you see all of a sudden, somebody gets quiet. It's like, okay, they probably have a strong handwriting. Like, Blake is the same person as. You already probably know Blake all the time. And it's like, I can't get a read on him. I think he has, you know, trips or, you know, something right here. And he's like, oh, no, he was bluffing. Like, he'll get me. And I'm like, oh, my gosh, those.

[A]

Are the dangerous ones.

[B]

Absolutely.

[A]

You can't read them.

[B]

I'm giving a trophy to Blake. I know everybody, you know, says, like, you know, the red pages of Wolfcakes, but I'm going to go with my best friend.

[A]

What about hoops? I know We. We talk hoops a lot. Who's the best basketball player you played against?

[B]

Oh, my gosh. I mean, I. Playing at 24 in Summerland. Like, you get a lot of, like, you know, overseas players coming there. Like, I. I don't never know their names, but I'm in there, I'm like.

[A]

Bro, this dude, they're cold, right?

[B]

They're jumping through the gym. Like, they shooting from, like, once they cross half court, they're pulling, like, all right, like, and they're all your height. You know that. But they're true.

[A]

No, they're in the league. I'm in the 24 league. They're nice.

[B]

I'm like, bro, six, five, two, three. Like, and he's a afford. Like, and I'm trying to guard him at 6ft, 220 football player. Like, I'm like, okay. Like, me putting my hand up in your face is just, like, looking like, oh, no. You know, some of these Hoopers are playing against, like, Wimbley. Yeah. And kd. Like, that's literally how I look out there. Like, I can't stop this guy. Like, I don't know.

[A]

Wemby is different. I saw a video of him standing. He was facing the hoop, and he turned around midair and blocked the shot.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Nuts.

[B]

Like, just running and just got it out.

[A]

Yeah. Like, behind his shoulder.

[B]

And it was amazing. I mean, even when he shoots the ball, like, the ball sits. Sits, like, in his palm. Like, his hands is still, like, free. And I'm like, like, the Avatar Player basketball. But no, he's changing the game. I mean, we all seen it. When KD came in, the league was like, all right, like, this is what it's going to go to. Even with Giannis. Like, we knew this is what's going to go to. Like, we love the Kyries. We love the James Harden. Like, that was, you know, the game we would watch, you know, the. The Russell Westbrooks, like, these small, explosive guards that can go, you know, in the end, dunk on. You shoot a three in your face. Like, now you getting the Giannis's. You getting, you know, the KD, the more polished KDs with Victor. And I'm. Shoot, I'm. I'm sure, you know, in the future it's going to be even crazier.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

You know, Cooper flags a freshman. You know, all American in the making over there. Yeah. Duke. I mean, even. Yes. It's just a lot of talent coming out. A lot. They're. They're different. Like, these kids can score from Anywhere, like real. It's, it's, it's really impressive.

[A]

Are you on this Dalton connect bandwagon?

[B]

I'm on the Laker bandwagon. I haven't jumped on Dalton yet. I just have to continue to watch. I mean, I'm, I'm just a fan. I want to win. That's all I, you know, I truly care about when it comes to, you know, the Lakers. I mean, you, you gotta. Not even. You have to support him. Like I'm gonna support him until, you know, he, you know, doesn't do what he, you know, has to do. But I'm always a Laker fan.

[A]

I feel I'd love to see Braun get one more for sure.

[B]

I mean, I, I hope he has it, you know, one more in him, you know, that, that, that age is very serious, as we saw with, you know, Tyson out there trying to fight Jake Paul, but he's still out there, you know, dropping 30 something points. Ads out there, you know, complimenting the game really well. I mean, you got MVP this season. Yeah, I mean, I mean, you already know, like it starts off like that, and then again, you got to play 80 plus games. Like, you know, like that's, that's exhausting. You playing every other day, you on a plane every night. Like I've never been an NBA player, but just hearing it, exhausting because, you know, just playing in the NFL, like you practice from Monday to Thursday and you take off on a flight on Friday, you hang out on Saturday, you play that game on Sunday, and right after game you get on the flight and come back home. And then you do it week in and week out and mind you, you may play on Sunday and then guess what, you gotta fly out on Wednesday for a game on Thursday Night Football. So that's where it's like, oh snap, like I. And that's, you know, hitting every single play and I'm like, wow, like I could imagine playing 80 of these. Like that would be exhausting. Even with baseball.

[A]

So baseball's even worse.

[B]

Exactly. And I'm like, so credit to, you know, everybody's sport because there's always, you know, something that, you know, is a, you know, a plus and a minus. And you know, everybody has it, but I, I give them credit.

[A]

A lot of injuries in basketball this season already. I mean, I saw a list, there's like 10 people that are out for like a month plus already.

[B]

I mean, I'm surprised with the, with the, what you call it? The Cavs. They're undefeated.

[A]

They just lost last night.

[B]

Oh, they did. Oh, snap.

[A]

Celtics.

[B]

I went to watch their games. I'm like, bro, I've always see highlights in sports.

[A]

15 0, though. That was impressive.

[B]

That was impressive. I mean, from a team that you probably couldn't even. Right. If you probably bet that, like, they were going to go 15 and oh, @ the start, you would have been cashing, like.

[A]

Yeah, you would have been cashing out millions.

[B]

That's. That's impressive to see. You know, a lot of these teams do it because it's, it's, you know, it's competitive. You know, that's playing basketball at just 24, you have the best team and loser.

[A]

How. How often you bet in these days?

[B]

Not so often just because we're. I'm so focused with, you know, CBT and, you know, making sure we close out this year with, you know, a huge bang. I think my last bet was the Trump stuff.

[A]

Oh, you bet on Trump to win?

[B]

Yep, absolutely.

[A]

So that was a mock or how early was was your bet? Because he was underdog at first.

[B]

He was definitely the underdog. I think I placed my bet in July.

[A]

Damn. So you had conviction in July?

[B]

Yeah. So, I mean, it was. It wasn't nothing, you know, insane. Like, I didn't bet, you know, like tens of thousands. Like somebody see you down the visual. It was just, you know, a couple of hundred bucks just to. To get some skin in the game. But yeah, that was. That's probably been my last bet that I've made. I'm probably going to make a bet on somebody tonight to win cpt, But I'm trying to keep that under wraps right now. I got about three people that I wanted parlay, but we're.

[A]

Spread it a little bit. I got Nemo tonight.

[B]

Really?

[A]

Yeah. Just because. Think about it. She's made the final table every time.

[B]

I 100% agree. She's. She's really good at poker. And you can see, you know, a little bit of her chess strategies. I know, you know, her and botes say it doesn't apply to one another, but you can. You can see it, you know, like, how they. How it does carry over. Like, yes, I'm a football player, but I. And. And I go play at 24 to play basketball. Like, some of that does carry over, whether it's, you know, a little bit of the athleticism, the explosion, definitely the competitive nature. So, like, there's definitely some carryovers, but I definitely see, you know, Enemo doing really, really well. She's at an extremely competitive table with Maria Ho Rampage, Wolfgang Paige, Lipinski, Daniel Lemon. Like, that's a competitive table. So, like, I'm curious to see who comes out of that table, because that's the person that, like you said, is going to be final.

[A]

Right.

[B]

You can't get all of them. Like, a Nemo's sitting, and Botez is at that table.

[A]

So that's a stack.

[B]

That's a stack table. So, like, you're talking about a bunch of poker pros, a couple of people that, you know, are, you know, Bonnie and Clyde, like, which is Paige's Daniel. Like, they're. They play poker sometimes. Like, I'm gonna see what happens. Like, the cards are going to be the cards. You can only bluff so much, and you already know when the blinds increase is like, okay, like, I don't even have enough money. Oh, see what happens.

[A]

I remember, like, halfway through, like, 10 people got knocked out in, like, five minutes when the blinds went up, because you got.

[B]

At some point, you got to just. Like, you don't even have enough to play a blind. So you just got to go all in. And it's like, five people go all in. Okay. Ace, king, jack, three, four or five, and then four or five hits the straight.

[A]

Like.

[B]

Like, how does that.

[A]

How it happens, man.

[B]

But that's all.

[A]

Poker is unforgiving a sport, you know, for sure.

[B]

For sure. I mean, I think that's the fun in it. It's just like, when we play, you know, basketball, football, when things go our way, we're. We're ecstatic. When it don't. Like, I still think you should be ecstatic, you know, like, it's like, dropping 50 points and you lose. Yeah. What can you say?

[A]

Bittersweet.

[B]

Yeah, absolutely. So that's how poorly, like, I have the best hand, but I lost to, you know, somebody other dog. And sometimes you're on the other side of that.

[A]

Right.

[B]

But that's why, like, you got to respect both sides of it.

[A]

Yeah. That's the beauty of the game. And who's your favorite poker player?

[B]

Oh, my gosh. I've. It's crazy because, like, Blake, like, hanging around with Blake and Mark and all these individuals, you know, just learning poker because I just. Like, me and you, like, we learned how to play poker about nine, 10 months ago. Like, that's when I learned. And I've never, you know, watched any of these YouTubers. I didn't even know who Phil Hellmuth was until the day he came in here. I'm like, who is this giant individual that walked in? I thought he played basketball. And it Was like, that's Phil Hellmuth, like, one of the best poker players in the world, blah, blah. Oh, like, that's. I guess that shows how much knowledge I have. Just, like, he walked up and didn't know who Keenan Allen was.

[A]

Yeah, that was funny.

[B]

Oh, you play for the Chargers. Like, oh, that's awesome. Same with Austin Eckler. So I would think, just from, you know, how people talk about this individual and, you know, what I've seen of them. Like, Phil Ivey is probably, you know, one of my favorites. Him and Daniel Negreanu. Just from the standpoint, I don't know. Like, I just love how charismatic they are, their character when they're, you know, sitting at the table. Phil seems not Phil. Yeah, Phil Ivey seems like he's very low key, doesn't really care about, you know, all the press clippings. He's just out there, you know, doing his thing, which, you know, I really love. And then you have Daniel doing his thing as well. He's very, you know, talkative, energetic, and that's how I like to play poker. So, like, I think that's where I gravitate a little bit more. So those two are probably my favorite poker players.

[A]

I love that. I'd love to see them play here one of these days. Daniel lives in Vegas.

[B]

That's the goal. So we can, you know, we would love to, you know, have. Shoot. These are the top individuals in poker. Like, why not have them, you know, into cpt, you know, Daniel, Phil, Phil Hellmuth. I mean, shoot. Maria Ho's in here today. And everybody else, like, you know, let's just get them in here. And I. I think that will continue to grow, poker as a whole.

[A]

Yeah, it'd be cool. Negronu.

[B]

I get sometimes the images involved, you know, you get knocked out by a rookie. But again, it's, It's. It's. It's not professional poker because we've set it up with the blinds and everybody that doesn't know how to play and do know how to play or barely knows how to play, like, it screws up. Like, yeah, you're trying to calculate odds and percentages and outs, and this person don't even know what they have. You know, it's like, oh, like, I think I lost nobody. You have, you know, a royal flush. Like, you know, like, it's funny, we had a table last night, like, just flips over, like, oh, I have a flush. Like, no, you have a straight flush. And we've seen our first straight flush in cbt. You know, last tournament somebody had the nut flush versus the straight flush and we just like, oh my gosh. But the person that had the straight flush didn't even know, dude. I'm like, luckily he turned it over. Cause if you would have threw it in, you know, that's a muck for it. But he turned it over. He's like, yeah, I lost. I thought I had something. And nope, he had something. So you have those elements. And I hope, you know, Phil and Daniel and him don't get pissed off at stuff like that. Like, it's just like, wow. Like it hurts. But it's like, bro, that's kind of funny that that actually happened. It takes you back to the home games when you first learned how to play poker. And that's what I never want to forget. You know, just like when we play basketball, like you play it because it's fun. Like when we go to the NBA and NFL, like, it gets very business oriented. Like, we're going to do it this way, we're going to do it that way. Like, no, like if you take it back when you're a kid, you're going to go out there and ball out.

[A]

Right?

[B]

That's when, that's why somebody, like some of these teams are like balling out. Like, you can see they're having fun doing it. When you're having fun, like, you can't be.

[A]

Absolutely. Like the Knicks last year, last season. Yeah, they were all friends.

[B]

You just like, bro, this is awesome. Like, they look like they were playing in the backyard like every single game. Like, oh my God.

[A]

And they didn't have the most talent.

[B]

Exactly. And like that's what even Boston started to look like. They just stopped caring about, not that they cared about ego. Like, it's just like they're just playing basketball.

[A]

Right.

[B]

Jaylen Brown, Tatum por Singa Drew. I'm like, wow, this team is impressive.

[A]

They were flowing well.

[B]

It's old school. Lakers with like Ori, Derek Fisher, Kobe, like, I'm like, oh my. I've seen this before. I'm like, yeah, they can't be stopped.

[A]

Absolutely.

[B]

They're not going to lose.

[A]

So did you see ego get in the way of sports for you with certain teammates and coaches and stuff?

[B]

Absolutely. I mean, different teams have different, you know, personalities. And you talking about a football team of 53 individuals from, you know, the highest paid individual maybe being a quarterback or a DN or receiver, all the way down to somebody that's, you know, a rookie making $400,000. So you see it from, from top to bottom. But I think that's where you give a lot of credit to the leadership, you know, in the building. When I was in Jacksonville, you had guys like K. Campbell, you had Paul Puzney making sure the. The group stayed tight no matter what the. What, you know, each individual made. And I mean, even at times you see, like, hey, I got a 90 million dollar contract, but hey, we're gonna spend X amount of money on, you know, making sure all the players get Chick Fil A before every single game. And they would pull that from their own checks. And it was like, wow. Like, that's awesome. I mean, you see it all around sports now. Like, even Showtime with the Dodgers. He was like, take a piece of my check and go get good players. Whoa. And I'm like, why don't teams do this all the time? Like, I get it, you. You about your money, but if, like, if I'm sitting in LeBron seat, I'm like, Bro, take about $50 million from me, or 100, whatever the number is. Like, I have so much money at a point in time, like, take a little bit of this money and let's go build a championship team. Like, go get a bunch of ballers. I'm not saying, like, you know, he.

[A]

Did offer that last season actually, I.

[B]

Remember, and then took a max contract.

[A]

Like, well, they couldn't find anyone.

[B]

Yeah, I mean, you can go. You go find somebody if you, like, you're a Laker. Like, you know, like, like that organization can go get anybody they want. It's like the Dodgers is just like the Yankees. Like, it's just like the Cowboys. Like, these are like, like America's teams you're talking about, like, in the biggest markets. Like, you can go get these players if you wanted to. Yeah, it may cost you a little bit of extra, but you got a player willing to give you that, you know, right? To. To do so. So, I mean, to each his own. Like, I'm that type of player where I'm like, hey, if I gotta take a pay cut to create a dream team around me, like, I'm down for it. Because, like, that's gonna just bring in so many more banners, bring me so much more money from, you know, on the court, off the court. Like, I think you like how you look at yourself and the people around you. Like, that's, you know, your network, which is, you know, your best work. So that's how I like to follow it.

[A]

Yeah, two things on that. The off the court money, if you play it right, is More than the encore money you're seeing with Tom Brady and a few other players investing into all these sports?

[B]

No.

[A]

Yeah. Secondly, Jalen Brunson, when he took that pay cut, he got a lot of. A lot of hate. What did you think about that?

[B]

I don't think that's fair. And I. I don't even think I've heard that hate. Like, can you. Can you, like, brief me on it?

[A]

People were just like, why would he take. Because it was a huge pay cut. It wasn't like, a couple million. I don't know the exact numbers, but it was tens of millions, I believe. And people are like, why would you do this? It's not even a guaranteed chance of winning a championship.

[B]

Yeah. I don't understand why people would hate somebody that wants to purely win a championship for the city that he's in. Like, I don't. I don't see what the hate is. Yeah, you're not, you know, the top 10 player that. I guess the highest paid player in that position because you took this pay cut. But why is everybody worrying about my personal financial issues? Like, we. For some reason, when we talk now, like, out in the world, we can't talk about financials, but yet mine is public, and you feel like you have, you know, a. To say to be able to come in it. So, like, I would say, like, black out the haters, which I'm sure he's done, is like, bro, like, my objective is to win a championship for New York. Like, that. That's been the. The goal since day one, and I still believe it. And if management believes it, like, take. Take this money. Like, let's go figure out how to do it. And I give credit to him because I didn't even know that until you.

[A]

Just talked about, like, ton, like, commentators all over Twitter. Yeah, it was a lot.

[B]

I mean, yeah, it's. It's a tough topic, but, bro, they're making so much money. Like, like, we. What's a. What's an average baseball salary? Like, 50 million a year? Like, yeah, bro. Like, if you didn't pay me for a year, like, you think that's gonna hurt after I just made 50 last year? Like, especially if you manage your money correctly. Like, you're talking about money that just. You can retire after that, you know, contract. And theirs is, like, eight, nine years. Right. For baseball. So, like, oh, no. Like, I don't think players should be getting hate, you know, for trying to, you know, win a championship for the city that, you know, they're playing for. Like, I think that's always a goal in any profession. We're talking about like you want to win the championship, the super bowl, the World cup, like that's the goal. So yeah, I don't, I don't agree with the hate towards the players. Yeah, I thought you're a commentator, whether you're, you know, a fan. Like it would just be wild to me to hear a fan say that, like, oh my gosh, you took a pay cut to try and win a championship. It just sounds weird as, you know, as I'm saying it right now, like it's, it's, it's wild.

[A]

Yeah. Cuz sometimes if like one or two guys are taking up 80% of the salary could hurt the team, right?

[B]

Absolutely. Like that's, that, that's old school basketball where two people get paid and you just fill the roster with the rest of the people. Like, yeah, why not get five like elite starters? Shoot, maybe it's stretched to six. Like you can have six men of the year. Like, you know, like I, I think that's the, the best team. Especially if you take out ego. Like why wouldn't you do that?

[A]

Yeah, I mean you're seeing it with teams right now one through five, all solid players that could get 15, 20 a game.

[B]

That seems to be, that's, that's, that's the best. Like it's you, you, you like when one player can get you, you know, 40, 50, you know, every once in a while, like you know, every 10 or so games. But it's like you got to be figuring out a way to be consistent. That's every sport. If you're not consistent, you're not even going to make the playoffs. And if you're not consistent in the playoffs, you're not going to win the whole thing because you got to win four out of the seven games to be able to, you know, go to the thing. Like, yeah, you can drop 40 game one, probably 15, game two and win. But shoot, if you drop eight, the next game like that other team gets that momentum and if they can keep grabbing five people, that drops 15, sometimes 25. And you know, like those are the teams that win.

[A]

Consistent. Yeah. These days you need a bench too.

[B]

Yeah, absolutely. Because everybody got to sit down like, you know, like, because you can't go round one, seven game series, round two, seven game series after you just played 90 plus games during the season. And now you're gonna go play an extra, you know what, 28 to you know, 30 something games. Like that's a lot on the body, especially when you're trying to peak in the. The Finals, you know, like, that's what you're essentially trying to do. You're trying to, you know, treat it, like, as a stock. So when you get to the Finals, like, I'm peaking at this time. Like, that's how all the sports is.

[A]

Like, yup. I know it's early in the season, 15 games in, but there is a poly market futures bet on who. Who do you think is going to win the. The title this season? Who do you got right now?

[B]

Boston.

[A]

They're actually the favorite.

[B]

So they're like, that's a team that you just. You. You can't. You. You. I. I don't. I don't see a missing spot in that team. You know, like, you. Like, with Jalen Brown, Tatum, Porsinga, Drew, I mean, bro, Derrick White, even. What's it. What's the old time.

[A]

Horford.

[B]

Horford. Like, he's popping threes, like. Like he's Tatum in them. Yeah, I haven't playing center anymore. I'm like, bro, how do you beat this team? And that coach is like, zero to nine. I forgot his name. But, yeah, he's one of my favorite coaches in the NBA. Like, he gets that group going. Like, you can tell, like, they're playing basketball with egoless, you know, opportunity out there. And when you see that, like, I mean, as an athlete, I'm sure you see it as, well. Like, it's refreshing to see because, you know, you can see some guys where it's like, oh, pass that individual the ball. And you just watch that individual all game. Nothing against, like, guys like, you know, Luca, when he didn't have Kyrie and Clay, now, like. Like, it was impressing to see him drop 50 points a game. But I'm like, he's not gonna go anywhere, like, because he's the only one scoring. There's nobody else on the team. Now when you see Kyrie is like, okay, you got Luca dropping 25, Kyrie dropping 25. And shoot, if you get Clay dropping 25, like, oh, that's 75 points right there. They got a chance, you know, like, so, like, teams are starting to realize, like, everybody's following suit. Like, you just have to do it. Like, it's. It's. It's. It's the pattern. And you. You want to be on the forefront of that, you know, when you see it, like, as a gm, as a head coach, like. Like. But some people are stuck in their old ways, and you know that ego is a problem. To any aspect in. In life.

[A]

Yeah, we'll see if you're right, man. They got 25 chance right now, so.

[B]

Yeah, well, I'm going Boston. That's. And I hate Boston. I mean, as a Laker fan, I hate it, but I genuinely love the basketball that they're playing.

[A]

Yeah, it's hard to beat. Well, dude, it's been cool. Where can people keep up with you?

[B]

Yeah. Appreciate you. I mean, shoot. I'm Pilard on Instagram. You know, I'm always going to be in the. The forefront of celebrity Poker tour. Shoot. Tune in tonight and shoot. We're gonna have some fun.

[A]

Yes, sir. Keep in tune. Gu. Piece.