Smash Live Cash Review: Nick Petrangelo’s Live Poker Course [2025]
Rating: 4.8/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Looking for an honest Smash Live Cash review? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down Nick Petrangelo’s premium live poker course to help you decide if it’s the right investment for your poker game.
What is Smash Live Cash?
Smash Live Cash is a professional poker training course created by elite poker pro Nick Petrangelo in collaboration with popular poker vlogger Brad Owen. With nearly $27 million in live tournament earnings, Petrangelo brings world-class expertise to live cash game strategy.
The course includes:
- 25+ hours of video training
- 4,808 solver-based preflop charts
- Exclusive Brad Owen coaching sessions
- Play & Explain videos from $2/$5 to $200/$400 stakes
Price: $999 (one-time payment, lifetime access)
Smash Live Cash Course Content Breakdown
1. Preflop Mastery Training
The preflop strategy section is the backbone of this poker course. Nick Petrangelo’s team invested over 250 hours and $30,000 developing solver-based ranges for 4,808 different situations.
What’s Included:
- Open-raising ranges for all positions
- 3-betting and squeezing strategies
- Defense strategies against 5-bet shoves
- Stack depth adjustments (100bb, 200bb, 400bb)
- Straddled pot strategies
The Live Cash Preflop Mastersheet app makes accessing these charts seamless at the tables.
2. Postflop Strategy for Live Games
The postflop training modules cover:
- Common board textures and how to navigate them
- Bet sizing strategies for live opponents
- Turn and river decision-making
- Exploitative adjustments vs. recreational players
3. Multiway Pot Domination
One of the most valuable sections focuses on multiway pots—situations that occur frequently in live games but are rarely taught well. Nick breaks down:
- When to continuation bet in 3+ player pots
- Equity realization in multiway spots
- Strategic adjustments based on opponent types
4. Brad Owen Coaching Sessions
These exclusive coaching videos show real sessions between Nick and Brad Owen. You’ll see:
- Hand history reviews from Brad’s live games
- Real-time strategy adjustments
- Common mistakes and how to fix them
- Mental game and decision-making processes
Smash Live Cash Preflop Charts Review
The 4,808 preflop charts are a course highlight. Unlike generic poker charts, these are specifically designed for live cash games with:
✅ Three stack depths (100bb, 200bb, 400bb)
✅ Straddled and non-straddled scenarios
✅ Solver-based accuracy backed by $30,000 in computing power
✅ Mobile-friendly app for easy reference
These charts eliminate guesswork and give you GTO-based starting points that you can adjust based on opponent tendencies.
Who Should Buy Smash Live Cash?
Best For:
✅ Intermediate to advanced players looking to move up stakes
✅ Cash game regulars at $1/$2 through $10/$20
✅ Tournament players transitioning to cash games
✅ Serious students willing to invest study time
Not Recommended For:
❌ Complete beginners (consider Upswing Lab first)
❌ Online-only players
❌ Players looking for quick fixes without studying
Smash Live Cash Pros and Cons
Advantages:
✅ Comprehensive curriculum covering preflop through postflop
✅ Elite instructor with $27M+ in earnings
✅ 4,808 professional preflop charts included
✅ Real coaching sessions with Brad Owen
✅ Lifetime access with no recurring fees
✅ 30-day money-back guarantee
✅ Theory meets practice approach
Disadvantages:
⚠️ $999 price point is a significant investment
⚠️ Advanced difficulty level may overwhelm beginners
⚠️ Cash game focused only (no tournament content)
Is Smash Live Cash Worth $999?
ROI Analysis:
For serious live poker players, the return on investment can be substantial:
At $2/$5: Improving your win rate by 2-3 bb/hour = $10-15/hour more profit
Breakeven time: Approximately 65-100 hours of play
At $5/$10 or higher: Course pays for itself even faster
The combination of Nick Petrangelo’s expertise, comprehensive preflop charts, and Brad Owen coaching sessions creates exceptional value for committed students.
Smash Live Cash vs. Other Poker Courses
| Feature | Smash Live Cash | Upswing Lab | Run It Once |
|---|---|---|---|
| Focus | Live Cash Games | Mixed Games | Online Cash |
| Price | $999 (lifetime) | $99/month | $299-999 |
| Preflop Charts | 4,808 | Limited | Varies |
| Live Content | 25+ hours | Some | Minimal |
| Instructor | Nick Petrangelo | Multiple | Phil Galfond & others |
Verdict: For live cash game specialists, Smash Live Cash offers the most targeted training available.
Student Results and Testimonials
Students report significant improvements after completing the Smash Live Cash training:
- Moving up from $1/$2 to $5/$10 within 3-6 months
- Increased win rates of 3-5 bb/hour
- Better confidence in multiway pots
- Improved preflop decision-making
How to Get the Most From Smash Live Cash
Study Tips:
- Complete modules sequentially – Don’t skip ahead
- Drill the preflop charts – Make them second nature
- Review Brad Owen sessions multiple times – Extract maximum value
- Apply concepts immediately – Test strategies in your next session
- Join poker forums – Discuss hands with other students
Time Investment:
Expect to spend 40-60 hours on initial study, plus ongoing review sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Smash Live Cash good for beginners?
No, this is an intermediate to advanced course. Beginners should start with foundational courses like The Upswing Lab.
Does Smash Live Cash work for online poker?
While the concepts apply, the course is optimized for live games. Online players may prefer platform-specific training.
Is there a money-back guarantee?
Yes, Upswing Poker offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all courses.
How long do I have access?
Lifetime access with one-time payment. No recurring fees.
What stakes should I be playing to benefit?
The course is most valuable for players at $1/$2 through $25/$50 live cash games.
Final Verdict: Smash Live Cash Review
Rating: 4.8/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Smash Live Cash is one of the best poker training investments for serious live cash game players. Nick Petrangelo delivers world-class instruction backed by elite results, and the 4,808 preflop charts alone justify much of the price.
Buy if:
- You’re serious about improving your live cash game
- You play $2/$5 or higher regularly
- You’re willing to invest study time
- You want solver-based strategies for live poker
Skip if:
- You’re a complete beginner
- You only play online
- You’re not ready to invest $999
Bottom Line: For committed live cash game players, Smash Live Cash is highly recommended and worth the investment.
Where to Buy Smash Live Cash
Purchase Smash Live Cash directly from Upswing Poker:
Price: $99 | Guarantee: 30-Day Money-Back | Access: Lifetime
Related Articles:
- Best Poker Training Sites 2024
- Nick Petrangelo Poker Strategy Guide
- Brad Owen Net Worth and Poker Career
- Live Poker vs Online Poker: Key Differences
- How to Beat $2/$5 Live Poker Games