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In this episode of The Real Poker Girls of London, hosts Kerryjane Craigie and Lydia Cugudda welcome Nicholas Walsh—better known as Nick Walsh—PokerStars Team Pro ambassador, streamer, and commentator.

Nick shares his journey from grinding online poker to becoming one of the recognizable voices behind PokerStars broadcasts, working alongside industry icons like James Hardigan and Joe Stapleton. He talks about how streaming in 2019 changed everything, leading to his role as an ambassador and content creator.

We dive into his Spin & Go expertise, including his 5,000-game challenge, how the format has evolved, and what players need to understand about speed, variance, and adapting strategy in fast-paced formats. The conversation also explores the realities of poker commentary—balancing analysis with limited information and learning to “say what you see” in the moment.

Nick also opens up about the emotional side of his career, including a period where he had to step away from broadcasts, and why returning to the PokerStars stage meant so much to him.

From strategy and storytelling to behind-the-scenes moments on tour, this episode mixes insight with humor, giving a real look at life as a modern poker pro and commentator.

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In this episode of The Real Poker Girls of London, hosts Kerryjane Craigie and Lydia Cugudda welcome writer, journalist, scientist, and poker player Alexa O’Brien for a wide-ranging, thoughtful, and frequently hilarious conversation that blends poker, psychology, parenting, and life skills.

Alexa shares her unconventional journey into poker—introduced by a fellow writer—and how the game became a powerful intellectual and emotional counterbalance to the solitary world of writing. From early low-stakes tournaments in London casinos to falling in love with the strategic depth of the game, Alexa explains why poker became more than just a pastime.

The episode dives deep into Alexa’s acclaimed book The Truth Detective, which explores decision-making, risk, and imperfect information through the lens of poker and cognitive science. She discusses the book’s evolution, its recognition within the poker world, and its broader mission: reframing poker as a cerebral, skill-based discipline rather than pure gambling.

Key topics include:

• Poker as a tool for critical thinking, emotional regulation, and resilience
• Parenting with a “poker mindset” and teaching children how to handle uncertainty
• Why poker uniquely prepares people to navigate real-world decision-making
• Women’s poker, community-building, and the atmosphere created at women-led events
• The now-iconic Real Poker Girls pig trophy, Percy Pig debates, and classic British humor

Alexa also reflects on her BBC documentary work, her upcoming projects, and stepping into a new role supporting live poker streams at the Hippodrome while Kerryjane is away—bringing her analytical mind and storytelling skills directly to the felt.

Smart, funny, reflective, and deeply human, this episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in poker as a life skill, not just a card game.

🔗 Follow & Subscribe: Don’t miss an episode—hit that follow button on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you listen.
💬 Join the Conversation: Follow us on @realpokergirls for behind-the-scenes content and guest updates.
📩 Got a question or topic suggestion? Email us at support@womenpokernews.com
✨ Support the Show: Leave a review or share this episode with a friend—it helps more than you know!

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In Episode 2 of The Real Poker Girls of London, hosts Kerryjane Craigie and Lydia Cugudda are joined by special guest Vanessa Kade, with original Real Poker Girls of Las Vegas host Rebbecca Scales also at the table.

Recorded during the Women’s Winter Festival at London’s Hippodrome, this episode blends sharp poker insight with laugh-out-loud chaos, as Vanessa drops in between cash games and instantly delivers unfiltered honesty, big energy, and iconic stories.

The conversation covers:

• Vanessa’s record-breaking Sunday Million Anniversary win and what it’s really like to win $1.5M alone at home with a cat
• The highs, contradictions, and real impact of women-only poker events
• Commentary life, poker travel, and choosing vibes over grind
• Poker confidence, public perception, and being taken seriously at the table
• Legendary tangents on food crimes, chocolate rules, pizza trauma, and why KitKats should never be eaten incorrectly

Vanessa also shares her candid thoughts on visibility, gendered rankings, and why atmosphere and community matter just as much as prize pools—especially when growing the game for women.

Smart, chaotic, thoughtful, and hilarious, Episode 2 perfectly captures what this podcast is about: real conversations, real personalities, and poker without the filter.

🔗 Follow & Subscribe: Don’t miss an episode—hit that follow button on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you listen.
💬 Join the Conversation: Follow us on @realpokergirls for behind-the-scenes content and guest updates.
📩 Got a question or topic suggestion? Email us at support@womenpokernews.com
✨ Support the Show: Leave a review or share this episode with a friend—it helps more than you know!