First Flag Podcast – GPITHM Poker Podcast Network
Your first time playing live poker tournaments can be nerve-racking. Don’t worry, even today’s best professionals have all been there! Listen to their stories on the #FirstFlag Podcast.
EP 48: Koray Aldemir
The Champ is HERE! Hours before defending his title, 2021 World Series of Poker Main Event Champion Koray Aldemir joins AC to talk about his very First Flag from Spielbank Berlin. The Champ also insists on talking about Flag #2 before moving onto which flags he’d like to collect next.
EP 47: Matt Berkey
Solve for Why founder, accomplished poker player and media mogul Matt Berkey joins Roland to chat on this episode of First Flag. Matt talks about the days at Seneca in Niagara Falls, the poker scene back in the day and about specialization in poker these days.
EP 46: Josh Arieh
The reigning WSOP Player of the Year, Josh Arieh, joins us on First Flag. Josh’s FF was a bracelet victory! Josh talks to us about that moment, about going broke soon after the win, his famous 3rd place finish in the 2004 Main Event, where he’d like to go play (it’s Australia, it’s ALWAYS Australia!) and he chats golf with AC, our resident expert.
EP 45: Dominik Nitsche
One of the original Flag Hunters, Dominik Nitsche, joins us on First Flag this week to discuss one of the wildest flag hunting stories ever told! Dom also chats about which venue has been the best to him, where he hasn’t been able to capture the flag and reminisces about the good old days when he was 18 and travelling the circuit on school breaks!
EP 44: Anton Wigg
Swedish superstar Anton Wigg joins Roland to talk about his First Flag, which he picked up in his homeland. Anton also talks about his recent WPT final table result at the Seminole Hard Rock and lets us know how he’s getting ready to return to circuit full time now that things are opening back up.
EP 43: Jeremy Ausmus
On today’s First Flag, we’re joined by three-time WSOP bracelet winner and the provisional leader in the soon-to-be-released 2022 GPI Player of the Year race, Jeremy Ausmus. Jeremy vaguely remembers his FF from Tunica, talks about his red-hot start to 2022 and talks about his favorite poker moments
EP 42: Ali Imsirovic
AC is joined by the reigning GPI and PokerGO Tour Player of the Year Ali Imsirovic on this episode of First Flag. Ali talks about winning three trophies at the Global Poker Awards, about collecting his FF in the Dominican Republic and how Australia is on the bucket list.
EP 41: Kyna England
MSPT Player of the Year Kyna England joins us to talk about her first flag, collected in her hometown of Chicago, the chase for GPI Female Player of the Year and where in the world she’d like to visit to collect another flag.
EP 40: Kevin Mathers
We’re joined by the newest addition to the GPI/THM team, Kevin Mathers, on this episode of First Flag. Kevin talks about how his first flag came in Australia flag at the Crown Casino, how he got his start at Turning Stone and shares a funny story from a bracelet event he played at the last World Series of Poker.
EP 39: Neil Channing
It’s the return of the First Flag podcast! This week’s episode features the great Neil Channing and his very first flag, collected in Southampton in 2000. Neil also regales us with poker stories, including a great Las Vegas buffet story!.
EP 38: Jamie Gold
Jamie Gold joins Roland for a very special WSOP Main Event final day edition of First Flag. Rolls informs Jamie that he was his first poker hero. The two discuss Jamie’s start in poker, highstakes cashgames, his first registered result from The Bike and on a more serious note, Jamie talks about his long covid battle and full recovery.
EP 37: Ryan Laplante
World Series of Poker bracelet winner Ryan Laplante joins us to talk about his First Flag story, which also happened to be at the WSOP ten years ago this year. The poker instructor also chats about poker in Minnesota and which destinations he’d like to get to next to collect another flag..
EP 36: Ari Engel
On the heels of his second WSOP bracelet victory, GPI Award winner and accomplished poker pro Ari Engel joins AC to talk about his First Flag. Ari reminisces about his WPT at Foxwoods performance, talks about live misclicks and admits that he has his sights set on Miami John’s All-Time Results title.
EP 35: Mustafa Kanit
The great Mustapha Kanit joins Roland to talk about his First Flag, which he captured in a bingo hall no less! Musta also discusses some of his favourite results and chats about his journey from Europe, to Mexico, to the Rio.
EP 34: Jennifer Shahade
Anthony is joined by poker and chess star Jennifer Shahade on the latest episode of First Flag. Jennifer remembers her FF story where she cashed in the Ladies Event at the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. The Global Poker Award winner also shares which flag she’d like to add next and talks about how she got her start in poker.
EP 33: Daniel Negreanu
Poker great Daniel Negreanu joins us on First Flag to talk about his very first registered result on The Hendon Mob – at the Orleans in Las Vegas 24 years ago this week. Kid Poker also reminisces about his start in underground clubs in Toronto and recalls playing a hand, as a 17-year-old, with none other than Isai Scheinberg.
EP 32: Sung Joo Hyun
AC sits down with the hottest poker player in South Korea, Sung Joo Hyun – aka “Arte”. Arte talks to Anthony about his WSOP successes, including the First Flag he collected at the Rio and the WSOP online bracelet he won last year.
EP 31: Maria Konnikova
Off the heels of the paperback release of her best selling book “The Biggest Bluff”, Maria Konnikova joins Eric to talk about her start on the live tournament poker circuit. Maria also shares a few stories on her professor, Erik Seidel and lets us know which poker destination she’d like to head to next to add to her already impressive flag collection.
EP 30: Benjamin Wilinofsky
2011 EPT Berlin winner Benjamin Wilinofsky joins Roland to talk about that First Flag story. Wilinofsky, who co-hosts The Rake podcast with Jamie Kerstetter, also chats about how he almost missed heading to Berlin to collect his FF, going on a cold streak and missing out on more Euro flags.
EP 29: Brian Altman
WPT Player of the Year Brian Altman joins Eric to talk about his First Flag, collected 10 years ago at the Borgata in Atlantic City. Brian also talks about his favorite flag, tells us about one flag that slipped away!
EP 28: Joe McKeehen
Anthony continues the WSOP Main Event streak by sitting down with 2015 champ Joseph McKeehen on the latest First Flag. McKeehen talks about his start at Turning Stone, a costly chip error and whether or not we should expect him to start grinding in Europe and all around the world.
EP 27: Jonathan Little
Roland is joined by his former partner in the booth, Jonathan Little, in this episode of First Flag. The two-time WPT Champion and jack of all trades in poker talks about his live debut in Tunica, reveals how he’s always been shut out in Australia and talks about collecting one of the rarest flags, the Turks and Caicos flag.
EP 26: Shannon Shorr
Coming off his biggest victory in three years at the Seminole Hard in Hollywood, Florida, Shannon Shorr joins Eric on this week’s episode of First Flag. Shorr explains how he had to travel all the way from Tuscaloosa, Alabama to Melbourne, Australia to collect his First Flag and lets us know which beach destination prevented him from collecting a 16th flag.
EP 25: Greg Raymer
Anthony continues the World Series of Poker Main Event Champion streak by sitting down with 2004 winner Greg Raymer. The Fossilman talks about his poker start on the California coast, his unprecedented 5 Heartland Poker Tour wins and where he’d like to collect his next flag.
EP 24: Kenny Hallaert
King of the felt and accomplished tournament director Kenny Hallaert joins Roland to talk about his First Flag. Kenny brings us into the world of live freerolls, talks about why the Belgian flag is controversially and painfully missing from his collection and discusses his plans to chase more flags in the future.
EP 23: Brandon Shack-Harris
Two-time WSOP bracelet winner Brandon Shack-Harris joins Eric on today’s First Flag. Brandon talks about how a dancer went over and beyond moments after his FF and chats about how close calls in the WSOP 50K Players Championship and the WSOP PoY still haunt him to this day
EP 22: Scott Blumstein
On today’s First Flag, AC continues his WSOP Main Event winners streak by welcoming 2017 Champ Scott Blumstein. Scott brings us back to his start at Turning Stone, how an online blunder cost him big and talks about which flags he’d like to add to his lone US flag.
EP 21: Jeff Gross
More Turning Stone stories as Christian Harder joins us to talk about his First Flag. Harder also reminisces on his major success in the Bahamas, how he’d like to head to Prague or Barcelona next and share an embarrassing story involving Ben Lamb
EP 20: Christian Harder
More Turning Stone stories as Christian Harder joins us to talk about his First Flag. Harder also reminisces on his major success in the Bahamas, how he’d like to head to Prague or Barcelona next and share an embarrassing story involving Ben Lamb
EP 19: Joe Cada
AC’s WSOP Main Event winner streak continues as he talks with 2009 champ Joe Cada. Joe chats about his bracelet wins, how he’d like to head to Australia and shares two funny stories involving table assignments and Dan Bilzerian.
EP 18: Phil Galfond
Poker powerhouse Phil Galfond joins Roland to talk about his First Flag. Phil tells us how he ended up in Mississippi to collect his FF, tells us a Men the Master story and discusses his future playing live tournament poker.
EP 17: Jamie Kerstetter
Poker player, commentator and podcaster Jamie Kerstetter joins Eric to talk about her First Flag. Jamie discusses her recent WSOP on ESPN gig, her beginnings in poker, including her first result at Foxwoods and how the Italian flag got away from her in Venice
EP 16: Joe Beevers
On this episode of First Flag, Roland is joined by Joe Beevers. One of the four men responsible for the creation of The Hendon Mob, Joe talks about WSOP flags, how winning the Irisih Open was a seminal moment of his career and share stories from his life in poker.
EP 15: Tom McEvoy
AC continues the FF WSOP Main Event run by chatting it up with 1983 Main Event Champion Tom McEvoy. The four-time bracelet winner talks about his First Flag, the US flag he captured at Amarillo Slim’s Super Bowl of Poker, talks about the Main Event and tells us stories from Las Vegas!
EP 14: Lex Veldhuis
Twitch Poker King Lex Veldhuis joins Roland to talk about his First Flag on our latest episode. The two-time Global Poker Award winner for Streamer of the Year talks about his start in poker, his shining moments at the WSOP and a few fun stories from his live tournament poker debut at EPT London.
EP 13: David Lappin
Roland is joined by Unibet Ambassador David Lappin on today’s First Flag. The GPI Global Poker Award winner talks about the Dutch flag he captured in 2007 and reveals which flag remains the most important one he’s collected in his career.
EP 12: Chris Moneymaker
We’re joined by poker royalty on this episode of First Flag. Chris Moneymaker, the 2003 WSOP Main Event Champion, joins AC to talk about the ultimate First Flag brag, winning the Main Event at Binion’s!
EP 11: Joe Hachem
Anthony keeps his WSOP Main Event champion streak going by hosting 2005 winner Joe Hachem on this episode of First Flag. The Aussie superstar shares his FF story, talks about his most memorable victory and which titles slipped through his fingers.
EP 10: Darren Elias
Four time World Poker Tour Champions Cup winner Darren Elias joins us on the latest episode of First Flag. Darren talks about earning his FF in Melbourne, how he wants to head to Barcelona next and the fact that he didn’t know about string bets when he got his start!
EP 9: Greg Merson
2012 World Series of Poker Champion Greg Merson joins Anthony on this latest episode. Greg talks about poker at Turning Stone, an important stomping ground for many players of his generation, and talks about why his NLHE 6-Max bracelet is his most cherished WSOP accomplishment.
EP 8: Jeff Platt
We’re joined by poker broadcaster Jeff Platt on the latest First Flag. Jeff talks to us about the Bicycle Casino result that started it all. He also talks about a couple of WSOP Main Event deep runs and answers our hard hitting trivia question.
EP 7: Martin Jacobson
On this episode of First Flag, we are joined by 2014 WSOP Main Event Champion Martin Jacobson. The GPI Award winner talks about how he earned his Hungarian flag, why he’d like to add the Japanese flag and how he ended up wearing the colors of Canada on his way to the bracelet.
EP 6: Kara Scott
We’re joined by 888poker’s Kara Scott on this edition of First Flag. Kara talks about her first Hendon line, her actual First Flag collected during the WSOP Main Event and tells fun stories from several deep runs in her career.
EP 5: Ryan Riess
2013 World Series of Poker Main Event Champion Ryan Riess joins Anthony on this edition of First Flag, powered by TheHendonMob.com. “The Beast” shares an amazing story on how he turned $100 into the first major score of his lifetime.
EP 4: Phil Hellmuth Jr.
On this episode of First Flag, Anthony talks to 15-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner Phil Hellmuth about his first flag. The legendary Poker Brat earned the US flag in Reno, Nevada back in October of 1987.
EP 3: Roberto Romanello
Welsh All-Time Money List leader Roberto Romanello joins us to talk about the First Flag he captured, the flag of his native land he collected back in 2006.
The newly anointed Triple Crown winner talks to us about a poker journey that has taken him all of the world – including a missed opportunity in Brazil.
EP 2: Felipe Mojave Ramos
Brazilian poker legend Felipe “Mojave” Ramos joins AC to talk about his First Flag, the Italian flag captured at EPT Sanremo in 2008. Felipe became the first player from Brazil to cash in an EPT Main Event and talks about his journey in tournament poker.
EP 1: Maria Ho
Poker superstar Maria Ho joins Eric Danis to talk about her First Flag, the US flag she collected at the Hollywood Park Casino in Inglewood, CA. Maria also shares stories of her beginnings in live tournament poker and picks her favorite flag.
Tournament Spotlight
| 29 Nov - 11 Dec 2024 | Vietnam |  U Series of Poker - USOP Grand Finale Hai Phong, Hai Phong |
| 3 - 23 Dec 2024 | United States |   World Poker Tour - WPT World Championship at Wynn Las Vegas, Las Vegas |
| 4 - 15 Dec 2024 | Czech Republic |    European Poker Tour - EPT Prague, Prague |
| 1 - 6 Jan 2025 | Ireland |  Irish Poker Tour - Galway Poker Festival, Galway |
| 2 - 9 Jan 2025 | United States |  PokerGO Tour - 2024 PGT Last Chance, Las Vegas |
| 9 Jan 2025 | United States | PokerGO Tour - 2024 PGT Championship Dream Seat Invitational, Las Vegas |
| 9 - 19 Jan 2025 | Cyprus | Chamada January Festival $1.5m GTD, Chamada |
| 10 - 11 Jan 2025 | United States | PokerGO Tour - 2024 PGT $1,000,000 Championship, Las Vegas |
| 12 - 19 Jan 2025 | Spain |  888poker LIVE - Madrid, Madrid |
| 14 - 26 Jan 2025 | Cyprus |  Merit Poker Western Series, Kyrenia |
| 4 - 10 Feb 2025 | Liechtenstein |  The Hendon Mob Winter Championship (THMC), Gamprin-Bendern |
| 12 - 23 Feb 2025 | France | European Poker Tour - EPT Paris, Paris |
| 10 - 21 Apr 2025 | Ireland |  Irish Poker Open 2025, Dublin |
