Andrew Neeme, popular vlogger and part-owner of The Lodge Poker Club, recently found himself playing in some of the biggest live-streamed games of his career. The occasion? The grand reopening of the Lodge Poker Club’s live stream series in Round Rock, Texas, featuring jaw-dropping $50/100 games.
A few years ago, Neeme was grinding $1/2 games in Las Vegas — a far cry from the nosebleeds he’s now part of. Known for his introspective and articulate approach to poker, Neeme gave us a glimpse into the mindset of a player facing stakes ten times larger than his typical game.
I had the chance to ask Andrew a few questions about his experience, and his thoughtful responses shed light on what it’s like to step up to these massive pots.
LJ: “What was your first reaction when you were invited to play a game of that size? Was it an immediate ‘Yes,’ or did you have to work yourself up to it?”
AN: “It was a mixed bag. Excitement with a bit of nerves. But it was a ‘Yes’ for sure. We have an incredibly professional staff at The Lodge, and Brad, Doug, and I are the faces of the place — I couldn’t let the team down. There was no real reason to skip it, even though the games were huge. Plus, there are ways to manage the risk in such a setting.”
LJ: “Taking on backers seems like an obvious thing to do, given the size of the game. But personally, I’ve always found it difficult. If I lose my own money, so be it, but losing Other People’s Money is much more painful. How was it for you, and did that inform your play much?”
AN: “I wouldn’t sell action to anyone who doesn’t get the variance of poker. It’s a tough thing, but my record is solid, and I’ve more often sent winnings than collected from backers. When I sell action, it’s always to poker players who understand the risk. That said, it doesn’t change how I play. They invest in my game, so I try to be myself — win or lose.”
LJ: “We often hear about poker players becoming numb to the money involved. A $1,500 pot doesn’t raise an eyebrow, but it’s a month’s rent in many places. You were playing pots worth the price of a small condo. Did you experience cognitive dissonance, or did you quickly focus on the game?”
AN: “It’s easier to focus once you’re locked into a hand. For instance, when Robbi Jade Lew open-shoved $20k with J4o, I was next to act with AKo. You start thinking through all the possibilities and just go into poker mode. But yeah, sitting at these stakes can be nerve-wracking, especially when you’re trying to bluff massive pots and keep a straight face!”
LJ: “It must’ve been gratifying to win big, especially knowing your backers would benefit. How did you feel once the game ended?”
AN: “After the first $50/100 game, I felt this massive release of pressure. We were playing some seriously big pots, with straddles galore. I was stuck $10k early on, but managed to end up with a small five-figure win. By the time I had my biggest win on the third night, it was surreal. Playing with Jungleman at the table all night and coming away with such a massive win was something I’ll never forget.”
LJ: “Did this experience make you want to go back for more, or did it show you that the nosebleeds aren’t for you?”
AN: “We’ll be back for more. ‘Expansion always, in all ways.’ – Ryan Serhant.” [Editor’s note: Quoted verbatim from Andrew. We couldn’t have made that up.]
LJ: “Any random musings you haven’t touched on?”
AN: “I got lucky in some spots: set over set, turned nut straight vs lower straight. It’s crazy how close you are to either a massive victory or total pain. One side of the line, you’re a hero; the other, you’re questioning everything. That’s poker — especially in high-stakes environments.”
