From Grinder to Respected Pro
Berkey started on the East Coast of the USA, but fully developed his poker identity in Los Angeles, diving into the world of high stakes cash games. Although fans often associate him with tournament results, he never considered himself a tournament specialist. "I never felt completely comfortable in tournaments. I always went back to what I was sure of – cash games," he admits.
Even though he appeared at WSOP final tables and played in the Super High Roller Bowl over nearly a decade, tournaments were more of an accessory for him, a way to open doors to even bigger private games. Through tournaments, he accessed the legendary Ivey Room, where the best of the best have played for years.
Poker, Evolving Every Year
In the interview, Berkey reflects on how the poker scene evolves. He believes cash game players once had the edge, but now the tables have turned. "Tournament players are like chess masters – they manage dozens of formations, ICM models, and scenarios from five to fifty big blinds," he says with respect.
However, he points out that being a top tournament pro has its downsides. "These guys do a massive amount of work for a ten to twelve percent ROI. They might be twenty times better than me, but their hourly is ten to twenty percent of mine," he adds. For Berkey, poker today is more about balance – enjoying the game, maintaining passion, and keeping life from falling out of rhythm.
Life Behind the Microphone
After years at the table, Berkey became more interested in content and community. His project, Only Friends, has become one of the most listened-to poker podcasts worldwide – with over 700 episodes mixing poker, business, and personal topics.
"I had no ambition to become a personality. I just wanted to bring something valuable to the community," he recalls. He also attributes part of his rise to prominence to rival Doug Polk. "Doug opted for trash talk marketing – so I had to become more visible," he laughs. Today, Berkey acknowledges that popularity opened new doors for him. It also taught him humility: "I've learned that what you say and what people hear aren't always the same."
Searching for the Next Challenge
When asked about the future, Berkey responded with a grin. "Maybe we’ll bring our podcast back, but I'd rather do something beyond poker. I enjoy building things from scratch – a company, a community, a brand."
He also expressed surprise that neither WSOP nor WPT have their own live podcast during the series. "Imagine a format at the WSOP like the Pat McAfee Show, where finalists come for brief interviews during breaks. That would elevate the game," he explains. Berkey is convinced that authenticity and direct contact with players can restore the energy to poker that it had during the Moneymaker era.
Asked what he would do if he could run the WSOP, he answered clearly – more space for players, more stories, and better preparation for dealers. "WSOP is an amazing organization, but to maintain its charm, we need to return to the players – we need more emotion," he says. "Each year, we know we'll need thousands of dealers. Why not start training them in April? We'd give them jobs, education, and quality for the series."
And his final advice for anyone visiting Vegas for the first time? "Don't be afraid to get your money in the middle. Sooner or later, you'll bust – what matters is how you played it."
You can watch the full interview with Matt here:
