Episode #159: A look back
After more than three years, growing a listenership that spans more than 30 countries, recording 159 shows in a row and having one heck of a good time, Chris and I have posted our final Ante Up! episode for the St. Petersburg Times today. Click here to listen to it.
We'd like to thank everyone here at the Times who has helped us accomplish what we have, and who let us keep doing it in the face of these very difficult times for newspaper companies everywhere.
And, of course, we never would have lasted this long without all of our enthusiastic listeners. We can't thank you enough. We hope you follow us as we embark on the next chapter in our poker lives.
- CHRIS & SCOTT
Christopher Cosenza is co-host of the longest running poker podcast on the planet, Ante Up! He started playing poker seriously in 2003 and his favorite players are Phil Ivey and Kenna James, though he tends to act like Phil Hellmuth if you make a bad play against him.
Scott Long, Ante Up!'s other co-host, is the author of the monthly Bet on It column in tbt*. He began gambling way too young (don't tell the fuzz!) and in the seventh grade, named his state "Gambleland" for a school project (State Animal? Loan shark, of course).
Best of luck, fellas! You know the Nation will happily follow.
Posted by: Short-Stacked Shamus | June 26, 2008 at 05:06 PM
*sings
"Walk away, walk away, walk away
I will follow"*
(that's U2's 'I will follow' for all you young kids)
Good luck, guys, I'm with you.
Don't forget to take the 100th episode trophy with you.
Posted by: Erwin Blonk | June 26, 2008 at 05:30 PM
Looking forwards to seeing you in the new digs!
Thanks for they years here. See you tonight! (Well maybe not SEE, but you know...at that razz thing we got tonight)
Posted by: OhCaptain | June 26, 2008 at 05:35 PM
We'll definitely be following. You guys have done an awesome job and we know that will continue at the new home.
However, I am hoping that the Times will be respectful enough to you guys to put a proper feed redirect in place so that the subscribers are automatically set up with the new feed.
Posted by: Michael | June 26, 2008 at 05:47 PM
Congratulations, guys! I think this is a great move for you both, and I hope you can continue to post here so we know when to tune in.
I am almost thinking I should do a story on this for Pokerworks, a poker Web site I write for. Are you guys interested? If not that's cool, but if so email me at dengl5@earthlink.net and we can talk about it.
This is Dan, the "fellow journalist" at http://pokingandpeaking.blogspot.com who sent in the Crazy Pineapple hand. Columbo's met me before.
Regardless, congrats once again guys, and I look forward to following what I'm sure will be a successful future.
Posted by: pokerpeaker | June 26, 2008 at 06:31 PM
Best of luck.
Posted by: Popeye39 | June 27, 2008 at 12:24 AM
Chris and Scott, had a little extra time tonight to listen to the show (since I busted out on AIPS with a poorly timed bluff). Started to tear up a little. I already dropped you a note of encouragement, and continue to wish you success.
But also wanted to drop a note to MAB, RANT, MN#### and all the rest of the opinionated folks i have met here. It has indeed been great fun. Hopefully hand analysis and poker ethics discussions will follow to the new site. But if things change and we never meet again, just wanted to let you all know how much I respect your opinions and encourage you to enjoy the game no matter how wrong you are ;)
Dave from Deadwood
Posted by: aces88ss | June 27, 2008 at 12:57 AM
Chris and Scott or is it Scott and Chris...
I have been a listener/reader for about two years now. Thank you for making Ante Up the fine endeavor it has become.
Thank you, Scott, for defending me when I was the person who "sucked out" in a hand of the week in an AIPS event. No mention ever of my bad beats/bubbleitis in other AIPS (including last night when I finished near the bubble--Same guy has knocked me out, I think 3 months in a row...I started with 3 low cards and he started with a queen as his door card--IN RAZZ...).
But, I digress... The two of you are living the American Dream. Yes, there is a lot of risk involved, but you have a lot going for you. Your hard work and dedication will allow you to make a go of it. But is your sheer LOVE of the game, that will ultimately put you over the top.
Please, please, please remember us little guys along the way to the top.
Godspeed,
Joe24Pa
Ante Up Home Chapter (St. Petersburg, FL, USA!)
Posted by: Joe24Pa | June 27, 2008 at 10:58 AM
Really great last podcast for the Times, the entire time I could just see it as an overly dramatic (but not corny!) documentary with each of you in dimly lit rooms, reminiscing before flashing back to a clip.
I can't wait until the new blog is up and running. Good luck with the new magazine, it's a big risk with an enormous potential payoff. The Nation can only grow because of the move and I think everyone is in for one hell of a ride.
Posted by: Zerkaboid | June 27, 2008 at 11:49 AM
Best of luck. I've spent a lot of hours listening to poker podcasts and you guys are the best.
Posted by: Mike | June 27, 2008 at 02:27 PM
Guys,
What a great recap. You guys are leaving TBT with your heads high. How classy. You have acknowledged everything that TBT has done to support you and get you started. Know that you have a faithful following inThe Ante Up Nation. I have already subscribed to the new feed on ITunes.
You guys are surviors in the poker podcast universe because of the effort and care that you put into this. Three really good years and I am looking forward to the next three.
I will keep you guys in my prayers as you start your new adventure. Let The Nation know how we can support you in your new venture.
Thank you for everything you do.
Nick
Posted by: Slickcity | June 27, 2008 at 02:58 PM
Hey, is Fasto going to the new podcast also? He is awesome.
Posted by: Slickcity | June 27, 2008 at 03:01 PM
Slickcity , you bring up something I was wondering also...Actually two things, Where has Fasso been lately?
But also, Chris, for Those of us that don't live in Florida, and can't mention the mag to poker room managers in person, What specifically would help you?
For instance, I would guess that you will use the number of hits your site has each day as an advertising selling point. Will you be counting each hit (so we should check in daily), or do you only count unique users (do you only count one computer no matter how many times we visit the site per day (week)?)
Will you be using blog activities (number of responses to each blog entry) as an advertising selling point? Should we redouble our efforts to make your new blog as active or more active than this one?
Does an Itunes subscription count more, less or the same as listening to the show directly from the site? What makes you look better?
Let the nation know early how to help kick start this thing. We want to make what makes you look good a priority so that your first month glows!
Posted by: aces88ss | June 27, 2008 at 04:36 PM
Thanks everyone for the great comments. It's been a great 3+ years and the future looks very promising and exciting. How can you help? Well, we likely will be basing ad rates for web sales on CPM (cost per thousand) eventually, so if we get a community going on there again that would help. We're likely going with a flat rate to start off, however, you can join our forum at anteupmagazine.com/forum. Though there are categories there mostly for our statewide card rooms, we do have cash games and tournaments and other musings as categories there as well. So, if you want to join and start topics, etc. that would definitely drive traffic. The blog (anteupmagazine.com/blog) is mostly poker news about Florida, though big stories will find a home there as well. If you read through it and see something on there that you want to comment on by all means.
Once our magazine launches we will offer the entire issue online to download for free in pdf form. These numbers will work for us in establishing future ad rates as well. So be sure to download it every month if you are not local. If you are, pick it up in your room, and tell the manager there that they need to be sending us results/skeds/news/photos (if you don't see it in there that is), etc. Eventually I think we'll have subscriptions, but in the beginning that might not be a reality. We may mail them out for specific requests, but know that we would need to charge a pretty expensive amount to cover print/time/shipping costs.
And as for the podcast, I believe the player on our site will count as a download every time someone clicks to listen. And if you subscribe to iTunes that's just as good. How can you help that way? Well, subscribe on all of your computers (work, home, family, friends) and click through ads and the player when you visit our site. Just visit as often as you can. And spread the Ante Up gospel. If you know someone who loves poker, etc. let them know about us and our site. Don't be shy.
Thanks again everyone. It's been one hell of a ride at the Times, but it's merely one stop on our way as the journey will continue, only now the beverage cart is coming through to offer refreshments!
Posted by: Chris Cosenza | June 27, 2008 at 04:50 PM
Wow, it's gotta be very exciting and a little scarry making this moke. I applaud you both for the kohones it takes to do something like this. I love this saying. . . "Find a way to make money doing what you love to do and you'll never have to work another day in your life"
I hope you guys never have to work again.
Posted by: Howard | June 27, 2008 at 05:07 PM
Congratulations guys. I about had a heart attack when I read that it was the last podcast. Thanks goodness it is moving somewhere new. I will certainly be following you.
You have done a great job and have done the nation proud.
Best of luck!
Posted by: Poker Geek | June 28, 2008 at 02:45 AM
Hi Guys,
If you're looking to download Episode 158, click below... The episode summary and link are missing from the blog. The guys must be pretty busy!
Posted by: Download Episode 158 here! | June 28, 2008 at 07:28 AM
Aces88ss brings up a really good point and a easy way we can help out Chris & Scott. Recommend we all set the new Ante Up Mag as our homepage so they get credit for hits everytime we open our browsers. Small price to pay for everything the guys have given us. All the browsers now have multi-tab homepage capability so this shouldn't be a pain for everyone, hell set 2-3 of you tabs up for the site if you want.
Beyond that Chris you need to tell me if I should be subscribing to Sirius or XM in anticipation of your next move ;-)
Good luck...I'll see everyone on the other side.
Posted by: daedalus | June 28, 2008 at 08:07 AM
"Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end."
Love the nostalgia and can't wait for the new site/show/magazine. Good luck, guys!
Posted by: Matt | June 28, 2008 at 02:11 PM
I'm having an issue where all of a sudden my ipod shuffle doesn't recognize the anteup broadcasts as music or anyting and wont' play it. Is anyone else experiencing this?
Posted by: pokerpeaker | June 29, 2008 at 12:03 PM
Hey guys, this is good news for you personally and am sure you will do great. Am just one of the many supportive fans!
Posted by: Renee | June 29, 2008 at 02:05 PM
I too will join the "Nation Migration"
Keep up the good work boys
Posted by: obloke | June 30, 2008 at 08:37 AM
Congrats guys
Posted by: Erik H | June 30, 2008 at 09:47 AM
What a long strange trip it's been.
Good luck on the next chapter.
Posted by: Paboo | June 30, 2008 at 03:24 PM
My heart SANK when I heard Chris say "this will be our last show . . . " I don't know if you intended for that dramatic pause, but you probably gave half of the Nation a heart attack!
Keep it going!!!
Posted by: Lee | July 01, 2008 at 02:12 PM
Best of luck guys! Don't be strangers and make sure you've got enough time for the podcast despite all the crazyness that I'm sure will ensue in the beginning of such an endeavour...
Posted by: Ingoal | July 01, 2008 at 02:45 PM
New show Friday on anteupmagazine.com, and you can subscribe on iTunes now!
Posted by: Chris Cosenza | July 01, 2008 at 03:03 PM
Hello Nick, yes i agree with you, good stuff.
Posted by: Jimmy Smith | July 03, 2008 at 05:36 AM
Guys, thank you for the great times! I will happily follow you.
Times, thank you for supporting this great podcast for so long!
Posted by: guikalil | July 06, 2008 at 10:21 AM
Goodbye my dear friends,
A subscription I must get,
Change a podcast's feed.
Posted by: Herndobler | July 08, 2008 at 02:49 AM
Beautiful Haiku
Thanks so much for the send off
Success be ours please
Posted by: Chris Cosenza | July 08, 2008 at 01:04 PM
Just checking back to see if you posted any new action. My friends and I enjoy your posts, I passed on your link!
Posted by: Renee | July 09, 2008 at 03:14 AM
we are done a good job
thank you
------------------------
harris
Posted by: harris | September 05, 2008 at 04:16 PM