The Ari & Jo Show is a vlog from PokerOrg's Jo Kim and Ari Engel — one cash-game grinder, one of the winningest players on the WSOP Circuit, and one real-life couple living a life measured in big blinds, casino credit and air miles.
Together, Jo and Ari travel the country taking in the spots where real gamblers go — the food, the suites, the slots, and of course the poker action. Along the way they're joined by some of poker's most recognisable faces at many of the game's biggest events, opening a window onto the real life of modern-day pros.
It's not just about flops, turns and rivers — it's what happens off the table. The people, the places, the wins and losses, and how a couple can grow together in the middle of it all.
Who are Jo Kim and Ari Engel?
You might already know Jo Kim from her work with PokerOrg, where she creates video content that brings the excitement of live events to viewers worldwide. She's been a commentator, a livestream regular, and a cash-game player for more than 16 years.
Ari Engel is a four-time WSOP bracelet winner who holds the record for the most tournament cashes of anyone, ever — 20 WSOP Circuit rings, four WSOP bracelets, and over $9 million in recorded tournament earnings.
"The idea for the show started a few years ago," Jo tells PokerOrg. "I took a full year away from poker and began documenting my daily life while traveling. I had a YouTube channel focused on being nomadic, living hotel to hotel, and I did that for about a year."
It's a lifestyle Ari is very familiar with; he's been on the road as a poker pro since 2012. "Maybe this is why Ari and I get along so well. We never argue about each other's space, and we know what to expect from traveling a heavy amount."
"Ari's been slowly introducing me to mixed games, and I've been playing more tournaments with his encouragement. We've had a few deep runs together, and that's been a fun shift for me from cash games. We might seem calm on the surface, but morale can get low after running deep in a tournament only to bust before the money, or getting coolered in a massive pot in a cash session. From episode to episode, you'll see highs and lows, but the constant is choosing to support each other, stay kind, and keep a good attitude even when things are rough."
Living as a poker nomad isn't for everyone, and nor is working with one's partner. But these two make it work — and now you can join them on their journey wherever they go, wherever you are.