Why you should run your startup like a poker player (Replay)

Why you should run your startup like a poker player (Replay)

Author: Yaniv Bernstein and Chris Saad July 20, 2026 Duration: 43:38

This is a remastered Replay of one of our most popular episodes, "What Startups Can Learn From Poker", which was originally published on 21 December 2022. Enjoy!


Original description:

All season, Chris and Yaniv have talked about the mindset that is needed to succeed at venture-backed startups. For the final episode of Season 1, we tie it all together with an analogy: tournament poker.

It is amazing how many things poker and startups have in common, so in this episode we use the lens of poker to discuss the big picture of how to approach building a successful startup.

We dive into each of the following commonalities between poker and startup life:

01:56 Playing an iterative game

10:00 Burning cash

13:31 Making decisions based on uncertain information

18:46 Progressive learning

28:44 Avoiding 'resulting'

35:02 The relatively low probability of a successful outcome (and why that’s OK!)


This episode was inspired by the book 'Thinking in Bets' by former pro poker player Annie Duke.


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Key links

This episode of the Startup Podcast is sponsored by .tech domains. Forget weird prefixes and creative misspellings; the availability for .tech domains is simply way better than .com. For a clean and memorable name, go to https://⁠get.tech/tsp

The Startup Podcast website: https://www.tsp.show/episodes/

Learn more about Chris and Yaniv

Work 1:1 with Chris: http://chrissaad.com/advisory/

Follow Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/

Follow Yaniv on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/

Producer: Justin McArthur https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcarthur

Assistant Producer: Steph Hefferan https://www.linkedin.com/in/steph-heff/

Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang https://web-strategist.com/

#TheStartupPodcast #startups #poker #texasholdem #investment #venturecapital #resulting #probability #ChrisSaad #YanivBernstein


For founders tired of abstract theory and looking for the concrete mechanics of building a high-growth company, The Startup Podcast offers a direct line to actionable knowledge. Hosts Yaniv Bernstein and Chris Saad bypass the usual interview format to deliver focused masterclasses and tactical advice drawn from their own decades in the trenches. Each episode digs into a specific challenge, whether it's navigating the nuances of raising Venture Capital, refining product strategy, or engineering sustainable growth. This isn't about general inspiration; it's a practical guide to adopting the distinct mindset and operational approaches that fuel Silicon Valley-style disruption. Listeners will find a clear roadmap covering the essential pillars: strategy, marketing, product development, and beyond. By consistently translating complex concepts into executable steps, this podcast serves as a vital resource for entrepreneurs determined to move beyond idea and into execution. Bernstein and Saad's combined experience provides a trusted foundation, making each session feel like a focused workshop aimed at building something that truly changes the game.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

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