The fourth episode of No Limit, the exclusive behind-the-scenes documentary made at the 2024 World Series of Poker’s WSOP Paradise festival focuses on high achievers. From Jesse Lonis to Adrian Mateos, poker rankings to personal goals, the latest episode of No Limit sets up what it really feels like to battle for the position of world number one in poker.

Episode 4: Best in the World

Jesse Lonis on the Agony That Drives Him

“Jesse’s gonna run the table.”

One of the most compelling parts of No Limit is how personal some of the biggest poker players in the world get when describing the motivations for their ambitions. Jesse Lonis is clearly one of the most extraordinary talents the poker world has ever seen but in Episode 4 he reveals the roots of his character. Jesse speaks with candour about losing his Dad early in life and his Mum’s addiction struggles.

“My competitiveness is what has got me to number one and driven me my whole life.” he says, all the while his kids and wife playing in the background. The parallels are vivid, the route Jesse has taken in direct contrast to his fractured childhood, parenthood being his greatest ever achievement no matter what he wins at the felt.

Jesse’s peers clearly rate him, with Canada’s most successful ever player, and the Poker Hall of Famer Daniel Negreanu showing maximum respect to one of his main rivals.

“When you get him at your table, you know you won’t control the table because Jesse’s gonna run the table.”

PokerGO and WSOP presenter Jeff Platt is equally complimentary about the power of the poker ‘gorilla’ Jesse Lonis.

“He has the best natural feel for the game,” Platt says. “When you combine that with his level of fearlessness in every single tournament, that’s the exact recipe for one of the best players in the world.”

A Kind of Crazy

“After that I fell in love with poker.”

Ren Lin is introduced to No Limit viewers in the next segment and the Chinese player has a fascinating background. A former business owner, Lin, sometimes known as ‘Tony’, explains that he failed in that regard because he was too kind to customers and took his eye off profits.

“I used to own a frozen yoghurt shop in August in 2012,” Ren says. “It didn’t feel right charging my friends. After my business failed, I was in debt. I was doing e-sports and a friend of mine suggested I play poker. I traveled to Las Vegas with $2,700 in my pocket.”

The next day, Ren played his first event at the Venetian, finishing seventh for $6,000. The next day, he reached a final table.

“After that I fell in love with poker.” Ren admits. Since then, he’s become a star of the game and while his first business went bust, his new role was anything but on the road to nowhere.

Jeff Platt noticed something unique about Ren and how his early level pay differs from how he closes out events.

“He’s this crazy madman in the opening spots of the tournament but people still think of him as that crazy man at a final table when he’s slowed down, doesn’t blast off, has it and he gets paid off.”

We see that in action as, after Jesse Lonis loses a big hand, Ren wins a huge coinflip with jacks against ace-queen.

“Touchdown, Tom Brady!” he shouts to the table in mirth as his latest victim walks away from the felt.

The Matador

“You have to do everything you can to win.”

Another player who we meet properly in this episode is the Spanish crusher Adrian Mateos. Compared to Stu Ungar by Jeff Platt, the Spaniard’s record at the felt is astonishing, with multiple WSOP bracelets in his past.

After we witness the demise of ‘Wolfgang’, a.k.a Alexander Seibt in the $25,000-entry Suer Main Event, busted by 10-time bracelet winner Erik Seidel, it is Mateos’ turn to attempt to double up. All-in pocket sixes, Mateos falls to pocket tens, ruefully smiling as he heads from the table.

“It is more painful to bust this time (in the $25k Super Main Event), it’s the biggest prize pool of the year and I wanted to do well.  I have a pretty good chance here in one or two tournaments left and I will fight for it.” Mateos confirms to camera.

“Everybody loves the year-long chases for who’s gonna be number one. Guys like Jesse and Adrian, you have to do everything you can to win and to have that feather in your cap of being number one for the rest of your life.”

Who will end this year as the best in the world? One thing is for sure. If you want to be involved at WSOP Paradise without needing to play, you can stake Daniel Negreanu via the official WSOP Paradise staking page right here. Many others are available too, so take your pick!

Watch Episode 4 of No Limit, entitled Best in the World below: