You Don't Need to Be the Best Player to Win at Poker. Billy DGAF's Story.
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🎙️ Episode 74 - Billy "DGAF"
Poker Pro. Went Broke. Built a Game Anyway.
In this episode, we sit down with DGAF — the man behind one of LA’s most legendary poker lineups — and unpack the real story behind the chips.
From learning five-card draw at age 7 to losing it all (twice) to building a daily 5/5/10 at Hustler, this is a story of resilience, regret, and rebuilding.
💬 We talk:
– Why being “good for the game” beats being the best
– Going broke even while winning
– How to host games that actually last
– And the mental traps most poker pros never escape
This is not a strategy episode. It’s a story episode. A “why the hell am I still doing this?” episode.
🎧 Listen in — and maybe rethink what a winning poker life really looks like.
⏱️ Show Notes
- 00:00 - Podcast Intro & Guest Reveal
- 2:00 - Starting Poker Young: Childhood Guts Games
- 6:00 - Grinding Up the Bankroll with Early Casino Wins
- 8:00 - Competitive Drive: What Makes Poker Players Succeed
- 10:02 - Life Journey Reflections & No Real Plan
- 12:01 - Doug Polk, Garrett Adelstein & Legendary Poker Guests
- 16:01 - Bellagio Bankroll Stories & Casino Life Realities
- 22:00 - Poker Table Perceptions & Stereotypes
- 26:00 - Rebuilding the Bankroll & Going Sober
- 34:02 - Poker Days in LA: Around 2011–2013
- 36:00 - Finding a Voice in Poker Content & Commentary
- 42:00 - Player Drama & The Community's Expectations
- 44:00 - Giving Advice & Lessons from the Felt
- 48:00 - Poker & Passive Income Opportunities
- 52:00 - The Poker Grind: New Players Entering the Scene
- 56:01 - Living Costs & Managing Financial Pressure
- 58:00 - Debt, Loyalty & Trust Among Poker Friends
- 1:00:00 - Hopes to Build Wealth & Sell the Podcast
- 1:04:00 - Stepping Away from the Poker World Completely
- 1:06:03 - RFID Controversy & Industry Pushback
- 1:08:00 - Behind the Mic: Stories from Legendary Interviews
🔗 Billy's Links
- X: https://x.com/dgafpokerplayer
- Lucky Lady Casino Live: YouTube Channel
- DGAF Podcast: Patreon
- Poker Rags: https://pokerrags.us
♣️ Table 1 Links
🧠 Art's Links
🃏 Justin's Links
About the Table 1 Podcast
Welcome to the Table 1 Podcast, your ultimate destination for everything high-stakes poker. Hosted by Art Parmann and Justin Young, we bring you in-depth interviews, legendary stories, and behind-the-scenes insight into private games and poker culture.
Whether you're a seasoned pro or new to the game, we cover:
- 🎤 Exclusive interviews with top players
- 🧠 Strategy tips from real-world experience
- 📰 News and controversy from the poker scene
- 🤣 Stories, drama, and poker-life moments
Don’t miss this engaging #poker #podcast. Tune in and explore more with creators like Andrew Neeme, Brad Owen, Doug Polk, Rampage Poker, Jaman Burton, and more.
From Broke to Ballin’: Stories That’ll Reshape How You Think About Poker and Life.