Poker Was Never the Hard Part

Ego, growth, faith, and the uncomfortable lessons no solver can teach you.

Author

Art Parmann
January 17, 2026 • Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes

🎙️ This Week on Table 1

Landon Tice didn’t “make it” the normal way.

He didn’t quietly grind up the stakes.
He didn’t stay in his lane.
And he definitely didn’t avoid mistakes.

If you’re new around here, every week (or so) we yank a gambler straight out of their seat at the table to tell us how they got there, and what they’re up to now.

This week’s episode is one of the most honest conversations we’ve ever had on the show.

Landon sits down with Art and Justin to talk about poker, ego, ambition, and what happens when talent grows faster than maturity — in public.

No highlight reel.
No PR polish.
Just the real story.

But first, wouldn’t it be great to clear a 200% Deposit bonus and stack some fellow degens over at Phenom Poker? We might even run another Rake Race promo soon for people who signed up with our link…

🧠 The Long Way Around

Landon’s poker arc doesn’t fit neatly into a graph.

It starts with timestamping Joey Ingram’s podcast for free.
Moves through high-stakes backing deals.
Includes losing other people’s money (and the weight, or lack thereof, that comes with it).
Leads to life-changing tournament wins. (And the true cost of laziness)
And eventually lands on a realization most players avoid:

“I didn’t actually know what I thought I knew.”

That moment — the crash after confidence — is where this episode lives.

🔥 What We Talk About

  • How providing free value quietly changed Landon’s entire career

  • The dangerous confidence curve every young poker player hits

  • What it’s really like being staked before you’re emotionally ready

  • Why results can lie (especially early)

  • The difference between loving poker and respecting poker

  • How faith, humility, and perspective replaced ego

  • Why growing up off the felt mattered more than winning on it

This episode isn’t about strategy.

It’s about identity, responsibility, and learning lessons the hard way.

🎧 If You’ve Ever…

  • Thought you were ready before you were

  • Wanted validation more than truth

  • Confused confidence with competence

  • Or learned lessons the hard way…

This one will hit.

See you next week!
— Art & Justin
🃏 @artparmann & @justinyoung07

📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more behind-the-scenes stories from the world’s funniest, fiercest, and most feral poker personalities. (it really helps us!)

PS: Want to play high stakes in Las Vegas — but in a game that still feels like home?
Come play with us at Table 1.

PPS: Check out our Cardplayer Featured Stories — the best hands, moments, and madness from the pod.