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The poker podcast dedicated to answering your questions on both tournament poker strategy and peak poker performance.
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27 MAR 2025 · 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) hyperfocus
- Parkinson’s Law and how it impacts poker study and productivity
- How dopamine dysregulation influences motivation and attention
- Gamified study tips like “poker sprints” and “beat-the-clock” sessions
- The power of body doubling, study groups, and external accountability
- Why guilt and perfectionism may be the real blockers—and how to reframe your mindset
- Finding 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:
https://amzn.to/41QBGVC by Dr. Tricia Cardner & Gareth James
Take Tricia’s free Mental Game Strength Quiz:
https://drtriciacardner.com/quiz
Looking to add cash games to your repertoire?
Take the MTT to Cash Diagnostic:
https://drtriciacardner.com/cashquiz
Sign up for Gareth’s free 5-day email course:
“How to Build Your First 10K Bankroll”
https://mttpokerschool.com/free-course
Want us to answer your poker question?
Post it in Dr. Tricia’s private Facebook group! Join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PokerMindsetMasteryLab/
Or in Gareth’s private Facebook group! Join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pokerprofits
Or Tweet us: @drtriciacardner @MTTpokerschool @PokerOnTheMind
22 MAR 2025 · 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/cashquiz
Want us to answer your poker question?
Post it in Dr. Tricia’s private Facebook group! Join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PokerMindsetMasteryLab/
Or in Gareth’s private Facebook group! Join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pokerprofits
Or Tweet us: @drtriciacardner @MTTpokerschool @PokerOnTheMind
9 MAR 2025 · Are you into this idea? Comment on Spotify or tag @gazelligpoker or @drtriciacardner on X and let us know.
25 FEB 2025 · 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 Games
Listener 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:
- https://amzn.to/41QBGVC by Dr. Tricia Cardner & Gareth James
- http://drtriciacardner.com/cashquiz: Assess your strengths, weaknesses, and next steps for a smoother switch.
- https://www.primedope.com/poker-variance-calculator/ for understanding long-term expectations
💌 Stay Connected:
- 🎯 Mental Game Quiz: How strong is your mindset? Take the quiz athttps://www.drtriciacardner.com/quiz
- 📨 On the Button Newsletter: Join Gareth’s weekly tournament tips athttps://www.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: https://mttpokerschool.com/free-course
Want us to answer your poker question?
Post it in Dr. Tricia’s private Facebook group! Join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PokerMindsetMasteryLab/
Or in Gareth’s private Facebook group! Join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pokerprofits
Or Tweet us: @drtriciacardner @MTTpokerschool @PokerOnTheMind
31 MAY 2024 · Welcome to Episode 193! MTT Coach Gareth James and Peak Performance Mindset Coach Dr. Tricia Cardner are back discussing all things poker strategy & mindset. The hosts continue their WSOP/SCOOP prep series in this episode by interviewing world renowned poker professional Daniel Negreanu.
Topics discussed in this episode include:
- A brief overview of Daniel’s new approach for 2024 & how it’s paying off
- How Daniel prepares off the table for WSOP
- How he handles the wide range of player types at the WSOP
- The factors have helped him stay at the top of his game for so many years
- The advice that he thinks newer players should ignore and what they should do instead
Resources
Follow Daniel on Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/RealKidPoker
How strong is your mental game? Take Dr. Cardner’s https://www.drtriciacardner.com/quiz and find out!
Sign up for Gareth’s weekly newsletter https://www.mttpokerschool.com/
Check out Dr. Cardner’s Progressive relaxation video (short version): https://youtu.be/pBbuwcFbfFA
Dr. Cardner’s < 60 second video with the instructions for tactical breathing to use when you’re tilted or stressed: https://youtube.com/shorts/bMfR8nwQdto?feature=share
Check out Gareth’s program Train and Play Like the Pros that will prepare you for large MTT series (both online and live): https://www.mttpokerschool.com/
Order Gareth’s book The Final Table: https://amzn.to/3ZOjCcV
Order Purposeful Practice for Poker: https://amzn.to/41QBGVC
Order Positive Poker: https://amzn.to/430foBf
Order Peak Poker Performance: https://amzn.to/453miWX
Want us to answer your poker question?
Post it in Dr. Tricia’s private Facebook group! Join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PokerMindsetMasteryLab/y
Or in Gareth’s private Facebook group! Join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pokerprofits
Or Tweet us: @drtriciacardner @MTTpokerschool @PokerOnTheMind
24 MAY 2024 · Welcome to Episode 192! MTT Coach Gareth James and Peak Performance Mindset Coach Dr. Tricia Cardner are back discussing all things poker strategy & mindset. The hosts continue their WSOP/SCOOP prep series in this episode by interviewing poker professional, coach, and podcaster Carlos Welch. Topics discussed in this episode include:
- A brief overview of his journey from recreational to professional poker player & WSOP bracelet winner
- How he determines which events offer the most value at WSOP & other properties
- How to be a big fish in a small pond and why that’s often the most profitable way to select your events
- Why WSOP mega-satellites can be profitable & how he adapts his game when playing them
Resources
Follow Carlos on Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/HipHop101Trivia
How strong is your mental game? Take Dr. Cardner’s https://www.drtriciacardner.com/quiz and find out!
Sign up for Gareth’s weekly newsletter https://www.mttpokerschool.com/
Check out Dr. Cardner’s Progressive relaxation video (short version): https://youtu.be/pBbuwcFbfFA
Dr. Cardner’s < 60 second video with the instructions for tactical breathing to use when you’re tilted or stressed: https://youtube.com/shorts/bMfR8nwQdto?feature=share
Check out Gareth’s program Train and Play Like the Pros that will prepare you for large MTT series (both online and live): https://www.mttpokerschool.com/
Order Gareth’s book The Final Table: https://amzn.to/3ZOjCcV
Order Purposeful Practice for Poker: https://amzn.to/41QBGVC
Order Positive Poker: https://amzn.to/430foBf
Order Peak Poker Performance: https://amzn.to/453miWX
Want us to answer your poker question?
Post it in Dr. Tricia’s private Facebook group! Join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PokerMindsetMasteryLab/y
Or in Gareth’s private Facebook group! Join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pokerprofits
Or Tweet us: @drtriciacardner @MTTpokerschool @PokerOnTheMind
11 MAY 2024 · Welcome to Episode 191! MTT Coach Gareth James and Peak Performance Mindset Coach Dr. Tricia Cardner are back discussing all things poker strategy & mindset. The hosts continue their WSOP/SCOOP prep series in this episode by interviewing poker professional, coach, and streamer Bryan Paris. Topics discussed in this episode include:
- What a day in the life of Bryan looks like now that he has a wife and kids
- How he schedules and maintains a consistent playing schedule and study habit
- How to put in the work to achieve poker success
- Why it’s important to pace yourself mentally in live events & other tips to use when playing long, multiday live events
Resources
Follow Bryan on Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/bparispoker
How strong is your mental game? Take Dr. Cardner’s https://www.drtriciacardner.com/quiz and find out!
Sign up for Gareth’s weekly newsletter https://www.mttpokerschool.com/
Check out Dr. Cardner’s Progressive relaxation video (short version): https://youtu.be/pBbuwcFbfFA
Dr. Cardner’s < 60 second video with the instructions for tactical breathing to use when you’re tilted or stressed: https://youtube.com/shorts/bMfR8nwQdto?feature=share
Check out Gareth’s program Train and Play Like the Pros that will prepare you for large MTT series (both online and live): https://www.mttpokerschool.com/
Order Gareth’s book The Final Table: https://amzn.to/3ZOjCcV
Order Purposeful Practice for Poker: https://amzn.to/41QBGVC
Order Positive Poker: https://amzn.to/430foBf
Order Peak Poker Performance: https://amzn.to/453miWX
Want us to answer your poker question?
Post it in Dr. Tricia’s private Facebook group! Join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PokerMindsetMasteryLab/y
Or in Gareth’s private Facebook group! Join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pokerprofits
Or Tweet us: @drtriciacardner @MTTpokerschool @PokerOnTheMind
3 MAY 2024 · Welcome to Episode 190! MTT Coach Gareth James and Peak Performance Mindset Coach Dr. Tricia Cardner are back discussing all things poker strategy & mindset. The hosts kick off a WSOP/SCOOP prep series in this episode by interviewing poker professional, coach, and author Dara O’Kearney.
Topics discussed in this episode include:
- Preparing for live events by optimizing sleep, diet, and other lifestyle factors
- An exploration of WSOP milestone satellites and how they differ from a regular satellite
- The importance of consolidating your learning and applying what you’ve learned at the tables
- How to look for specific mistakes to exploit
Resources
Dara’s Books: https://amzn.to/3wja28B; https://amzn.to/3WmSJhp; https://amzn.to/4aZEPq5
How strong is your mental game? Take Dr. Cardner’s https://www.drtriciacardner.com/quiz and find out!
Sign up for Gareth’s weekly newsletter https://www.mttpokerschool.com/
Check out Dr. Cardner’s Progressive relaxation video (short version): https://youtu.be/pBbuwcFbfFA
Dr. Cardner’s < 60 second video with the instructions for tactical breathing to use when you’re tilted or stressed: https://youtube.com/shorts/bMfR8nwQdto?feature=share
Check out Gareth’s program Train and Play Like the Pros that will prepare you for large MTT series (both online and live): https://www.mttpokerschool.com/
Order Gareth’s book The Final Table: https://amzn.to/3ZOjCcV
Order Purposeful Practice for Poker: https://amzn.to/41QBGVC
Order Positive Poker: https://amzn.to/430foBf
Order Peak Poker Performance: https://amzn.to/453miWX
Want us to answer your poker question?
Post it in Dr. Tricia’s private Facebook group! Join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PokerMindsetMasteryLab/y
Or in Gareth’s private Facebook group! Join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pokerprofits
Or Tweet us: @drtriciacardner @MTTpokerschool @PokerOnTheMind
9 FEB 2024 · Welcome to Episode 189! MTT Coach Gareth James and Peak Performance Mindset Coach Dr. Tricia Cardner are back discussing all things poker strategy & mindset. In this episode, the hosts continue their exploration of high-performance poker with a specific focus on “bouncebackability” also known as the art of resilience. Topics discussed in this episode include:
- A deep dive into the research on resilience
- The research findings regarding the ability to bounce “forward.”
- The importance of post-traumatic growth to improving and feeling good
- How learning from your mistakes can help you be more resilient
Resources
How strong is your mental game? Take Dr. Cardner’s https://www.drtriciacardner.com/quiz and find out!
Sign up for Gareth’s weekly newsletter https://www.mttpokerschool.com/
Check out Dr. Cardner’s Progressive relaxation video (short version): https://youtu.be/pBbuwcFbfFA
Dr. Cardner’s < 60-second video with the instructions for tactical breathing: https://youtube.com/shorts/bMfR8nwQdto?feature=share
Check out Gareth’s program Train and Play Like the Pros that will prepare you for large MTT series (both online and live): https://www.mttpokerschool.com/
Order Gareth’s book The Final Table: https://amzn.to/3ZOjCcV
Order Purposeful Practice for Poker: https://amzn.to/41QBGVC
Order Positive Poker: https://amzn.to/430foBf
Order Peak Poker Performance: https://amzn.to/453miWX
Want us to answer your poker question?
Post it in Dr. Tricia’s private Facebook group! Join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PokerMindsetMasteryLab/y
Or in Gareth’s private Facebook group! Join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pokerprofits
Or Tweet us: @drtriciacardner @MTTpokerschool @PokerOnTheMind
2 FEB 2024 · Welcome to Episode 188! MTT Coach Gareth James and Peak Performance Mindset Coach Dr. Tricia Cardner are back discussing all things poker strategy & mindset. In this episode, the hosts continue their exploration of high-performance poker with a specific focus on high-performance physiology. Topics discussed in this episode include:
- A deep dive into the most critical physiological aspects of high performance: sleep, diet and exercise
- The research findings regarding the differences in sleep totals between experts and amateurs
- How sleep helps with memory consolidation
- Types of foods/diets that are recommended for high performance
Resources
https://amzn.to/3uoAQDl
https://amzn.to/4birppN
How strong is your mental game? Take Dr. Cardner’s https://www.drtriciacardner.com/quiz and find out!
Sign up for Gareth’s weekly newsletter https://www.mttpokerschool.com/
Check out Dr. Cardner’s Progressive relaxation video (short version): https://youtu.be/pBbuwcFbfFA
Dr. Cardner’s < 60 second video with the instructions for tactical breathing: https://youtube.com/shorts/bMfR8nwQdto?feature=share
Check out Gareth’s program Train and Play Like the Pros that will prepare you for large MTT series (both online and live): https://www.mttpokerschool.com/
Order Gareth’s book The Final Table: https://amzn.to/3ZOjCcV
Order Purposeful Practice for Poker: https://amzn.to/41QBGVC
Order Positive Poker: https://amzn.to/430foBf
Order Peak Poker Performance: https://amzn.to/453miWX
Want us to answer your poker question?
Post it in Dr. Tricia’s private Facebook group! Join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PokerMindsetMasteryLab/y
Or in Gareth’s private Facebook group! Join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pokerprofits
The poker podcast dedicated to answering your questions on both tournament poker strategy and peak poker performance.
Information
| Author | Poker On The Mind Podcast |
| Organization | Poker On The Mind Podcast |
| Categories | Leisure , Sports , Education |
| Website | www.spreaker.com |
| pokeronthemindpodcast@gmail.com |
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