Episode 196 - WSOP Reality Check: What Most Players Get Wrong
In this episode, Gareth and Tricia tackle a timely listener question: What do most players get wrong when preparing for the World Series of Poker (WSOP)? If you’re gearing up for the WSOP (or any major poker series) and want to avoid common pitfalls, this conversation is for you. They discuss:Why tying your self-worth to poker results is so dangerous: How linking your identity to wins and losses leads to emotional swings and burnout – and ways to keep your confidence steady regardless of outcomes.The power of consistent routines: How solid pre-game rituals, in-game reset techniques, and post-game reviews keep you focused and mentally sharp throughout a long series like the WSOP.Process orientation vs. outcome obsession: Why a process-focused mindset beats fixating on results (especially when around 85% of the field won’t even cash), and how focusing on what you can control leads to better long-term performance.The danger of last-minute overhauls: Why the week before the WSOP is not the time to reinvent your entire game or make frantic strategic changes. Avoid the urge to “fix” your strategy due to a recent downswing – stick with what you’ve practiced and trust your preparation.Sleep, nutrition, and recovery as secret weapons: How neglecting basic self-care can sabotage your performance. Gareth and Tricia emphasize prioritizing quality sleep, good nutrition, and rest days, and explain why trying to play every event (or partying every night) on minimal rest often backfires.Smart bankroll management and scheduling: Planning out your WSOP events and budget ahead of time. Learn why it’s wise to sell action and set a realistic schedule so you don’t run out of funds or stress about money halfway through the series. (The last thing you want is to blow your entire bankroll before the Main Event!)Handling tilt and emotional swings: Evidence-based techniques to stay composed when variance hits hard. They share how acceptance strategies, 6-2-7 breathing exercises, and the “second dart” technique can help you regulate emotions, avoid tilt, and recover quickly from bad beats or bustouts.Recommended Resources:Purposeful Practice for Poker: https://amzn.to/41QBGVCDownload Tricia’s Free Tilt Recovery Toolkit (cheat sheet + audio guide) – https://drtriciacardner.com/tilt-recoveryMental Game Quiz: Take Tricia’s Mental Game Strength Quiz – https://drtriciacardner.com/quizGareth’s Newsletter: Subscribe to Gareth’s weekly poker newsletter “On The Button” – https://mttpokerschool.com/newsletterWant us to answer your poker question? Post it in Dr. Tricia’s private Facebook group (Poker Mindset Mastery Lab) – join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PokerMindsetMasteryLab/Or join Gareth’s private Facebook group (MTT Poker School Poker Profits) here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pokerprofits.You can also tweet your questions to @drtriciacardner, @MTTpokerschool, or @PokerOnTheMind
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Episode 195 - Play Poker Or Focus On Family?
In this episode, Gareth and Tricia dive into a powerful listener question from Martin—a poker player with ADHD—who’s struggling to find motivation and structure for his study and play routines. If you've ever wrestled with procrastination, guilt, or balancing poker with real-life responsibilities, this conversation is for you. They explore:Why tight deadlines help some players (especially those with ADHD) hyperfocusParkinson’s Law and how it impacts poker study and productivityHow dopamine dysregulation influences motivation and attentionGamified study tips like “poker sprints” and “beat-the-clock” sessionsThe power of body doubling, study groups, and external accountabilityWhy guilt and perfectionism may be the real blockers—and how to reframe your mindsetFinding the right balance between poker, work, and family life (and why it’s okay for that balance to shift over time)Whether you have ADHD or not, this episode is full of actionable insights on how to design a routine that works for your brain—and your life.📚 Recommended Resources:Purposeful Practice for Poker by Dr. Tricia Cardner & Gareth JamesTake Tricia’s free Mental Game Strength Quiz:https://drtriciacardner.com/quizLooking to add cash games to your repertoire?Take the MTT to Cash Diagnostic:https://drtriciacardner.com/cashquizSign up for Gareth’s free 5-day email course:“How to Build Your First 10K Bankroll”https://mttpokerschool.com/free-courseWant us to answer your poker question?Post it in Dr. Tricia’s private Facebook group! Join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PokerMindsetMasteryOr in Gareth’s private Facebook group! Join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pokerprofits Or Tweet us: @drtriciacardner @MTTpokerschool @PokerOnTheMind
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Voice Note #2: Why Phil Hellmuth Says the Main Event Is “Too Tough”
In this solo voice note, Dr. Tricia Cardner breaks down Phil Hellmuth’s recent announcement that he’s skipping the 2025 WSOP Main Event—claiming it’s become too much of a mental grind.Is the Main Event really an endurance test now?What role does mental stamina play in long tournaments?How can you prepare to go deep when the pressure is on?Tricia shares insights from performance psychology, discusses the impact of aging on decision-making, and gives practical tips to help you build your mental endurance at the table.Mental Game Resources:🧠 Want to know how strong your mental game really is?Take the free Mental Game Strength Quiz:drtriciacardner.com/quiz💰 Thinking about adding cash games to your repertoire?Take the free MTT to Cash Diagnostic:drtriciacardner.com/cashquizWant us to answer your poker question?Post it in Dr. Tricia’s private Facebook group! Join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PokerMindsetMasteryOr in Gareth’s private Facebook group! Join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pokerprofits Or Tweet us: @drtriciacardner @MTTpokerschool @PokerOnTheMind
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Voice Note #1: What Do You Think About This Idea?
Are you into this idea? Comment on Spotify or tag @gazelligpoker or @drtriciacardner on X and let us know.
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Episode 194 - Transitioning from MTTs to Cash Games
Poker on the Mind - Episode 194: Transitioning from MTTs to Cash Games with Gareth James & Dr. Tricia Cardner💡 Main Topic: Transitioning from MTTs to Cash GamesListener question from Alex:"I'm grinding mid-stakes MTTs but struggling to adjust to the open-ended nature of cash games. How can I adapt my mindset and study habits?"🔑 Key Takeaways:Mindset Shifts:MTTs have clear structure and end goals; cash games are open-ended.Focus on process goals (hands played, time blocks) rather than outcomes.Redefine success as consistently making +EV decisions, not session results.Study Tips:Prioritize deep-stack strategies, as cash games typically run 100BB+.Practice Raise First In and Big Blind Defense with tools like DTO or GTO Wizard.Study common flop textures and develop strategies for frequent board types.Active learning beats passive study: Drill hands, take notes, and revisit concepts.Emotional Resilience:Cash players need strong mental toughness to handle reloading after losses.Implement stop-loss rules if tilt becomes an issue, but bankroll should be the main determinant.Be mindful of cognitive biases, like negativity bias and gambler’s fallacy.Execution & Adjustment:It's not enough to know strategy—you must execute it consistently under pressure.Adjust based on player types: Identify tendencies and exploit them accordingly.Use hand reviews to spot leaks and tailor future study.Practical Tips for Transitioning:Start at manageable stakes (e.g., $1/$2 live or 10NL online).Experiment with formats (6-max, full ring, heads-up) to find what suits you best.Set clear session goals (hands played, hours logged) to stay focused.📚 Recommended Resources:Purposeful Practice for Poker by Dr. Tricia Cardner & Gareth JamesMTT to Cash Transition Diagnostic: Assess your strengths, weaknesses, and next steps for a smoother switch.PrimeDope Variance Calculator for understanding long-term expectations💌 Stay Connected:🎯 Mental Game Quiz: How strong is your mindset? Take the quiz at drtriciacardner.com/quiz📨 On the Button Newsletter: Join Gareth’s weekly tournament tips at mttpokerschool.com/newsletter💰 A FREE, 5-day email course breaking down everything you need to build rock solid fundamentals, study tournament poker effectively, confidently move up in stakes, and develop the right mindset for long-term success: mttpokerschool.com/free-courseWant us to answer your poker question?Post it in Dr. Tricia’s private Facebook group! Join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PokerMindsetMasteryOr in Gareth’s private Facebook group! Join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pokerprofits Or Tweet us: @drtriciacardner @MTTpokerschool @PokerOnTheMind
South Africa