Editor
The popular “Only Friends” podcast by Solve For Why did their final podcast on Friday to end what is likely the second most popular poker-based podcast. Led by poker pro Matt Berkey, the podcast was a round-table discussion style on all aspects of poker, from hot-button debate issues to highlighting essential elements in the game.
The first episode was on March 15, 2022, and has now ended after over three years, making a grand total of 719 episodes.
Over these episodes, the podcast never shied away from delving into controversy. There have been numerous feuds through the years involving this podcast and members of the poker world. Berkey was never afraid to call out aspects in the game that he considered wrong or in bad faith. For instance, one of the final episodes discussed the Maurice Hawkins backer controversy at length, as well as the Nacho Barbero controversy.
The podcast was always a lightning rod for poker players and fans alike to listen to and stay updated on the big news in the poker world. Berkey and his co-hosts always discussed the topics in an easy roundtable style that presented different viewpoints and styles of argument.
It was also a podcast for poker players looking to improve their game, as there were discussions over poker tournament strategy and how to best use a poker bankroll. They also thoroughly evaluated tournament structures and which poker brands were doing the best job of upholding poker rules.
There were also several instances where the podcast criticized poker media outlets for the way they covered specific aspects of the game.
It also became the launching pad for several others who participated beyond Berkey. Landon Tice got his name out in the poker world largely thanks to this podcast, which he was a part of for years. Tice now plays in some of the biggest games in poker after starting out as a hungry young player in low-stakes games.
Other rotating podcast co-hosts included Conrad Simpson, Brian “Tortoise” Lamanna, Melissa Schubert, and Christian Soto, who were the most common participants. Fans of the podcast would follow any of the co-hosts in their poker pursuits and root for them to get good results.
Many in the poker world will miss this podcast and listening to their takes on poker topics. Especially with the 2025 WSOP fast approaching, the dearth of the Only Friends podcast will create a void for the sure-to-come discourse in the summer series in Vegas.
Daniel Williams was one of many who gave a warm farewell to everyone involved.
