Life Outside Poker is a new podcast for PokerNews hosted by Connor Richards that seeks to pull back the curtain on poker players and allow viewers and listeners to get to know them on a personal level.
In the 21st episode, Connor speaks with Survivor legend Boston Rob, aka Rob Mariano, about growing up near Fenway Park, learning poker at the age of 6, studying psychology at Boston University, applying for Survivor and winning Season 22, his recent appearance on Deal or No Deal Island and filming an upcoming season of The Traitors.
Boston Rob also revealed a story about Costa Rican authorities raiding a mansion known to host high-stakes poker games during a 2006 filming that included Daniel Negreanu, Josh Arieh, David Williams, Michael Mizrachi and actress Cheryl Hines.
"(Gambling mogul) Calvin (Ayre) had a big party at the house, and they came in guns drawn," he said. "And we were fine, but we all had to stay at the party until they checked our passports and everything. I think it was a little bit of a shakedown. But we had a good weekend."
Walid Mubarak raised to 120,000 from the button and Matas Cikinas defended the big blind to see a flop of A♠5♥7♥.
Cikinas check-called a bet of what looked to be 80,000 and then both players checked the Q♣ turn.
When the 2♦ completed the board on the river, Cikinas bet 400,000 and Mubarak hit the tank. He used a time extension, got up out of his chair, and tossed in a single chip to signify a call.
Cikinas revealed the Q♦5♠ for two pair and an exasperated Mubarak simply shook his head, showed the A♣, and mucked.
Michele Lawson opened 120,000 on the button and Matthew Belcher used a couple of time banks before putting in a three-bet to 400,000. Lawson moved all in, putting Belcher to the test for his total 410,000 and he made the call.
Matthew Belcher: K♣J♦
Michele Lawson: A♥8♥
Belcher was behind until the J♠10♦4♥ flop hit the felt, pairing his jack. The J♣ turn sealed his double and the 8♣ river was just a formality.
Pablo Silva opened 120,000 in the hijack and Walid Mubarak stuck his remaining chips of about 200,000 across the line without looking at his cards in the big blind. Silva called.
"Don't open them," Mubarak requested from the dealer.
"I have to," She replied.
Walid Mubarak: 7♠4♣
Pablo Silva: 10♦8♦
Mubarak couldn't connect as the board ran out 8♠3♣2♦J♣6♥, sending him to the payout desk in 10th place.
