Not everyone knows what "mindset" means or why it matters. Beyond poker's technical nature, some say our “mental game” is the last competitive edge. And it's more than how we react to a bad beat or mean players. It's foundational work we do across our poker lives because tilt never dies.
Live-cash poker is a beast of a game and many start with baggage—trauma from personal histories, a weak competitive skill set (true for some women thanks to gender barriers), and how we deal with financial loss. When we focus our attention on what we're thinking and feeling, more is possible as we learn to perform with greater control. I invite you to treat mental-game work as strategic and tactical. Because in the end, we play against ourselves.
The work starts with reinventing belief systems. We’re trained to observe others, yet may ignore our own trip-wires. Punitive "inside voices” may sabotage our play for a hand, a session, or several days. These voices reflect a fear of failure, even a fear of success. When feelings of shame happen over our mistakes, we can feel less composed and less capable. "Imposture syndrome" is common.
Old mental habits rise in any competitive sport. Before we know it, tilt happens and pain ensues. Joy in our play disappears.
The slam-dunker within
We train with an athletic mindset. When your mind is present (no phones, please), and your thinking is clear, you lay the groundwork for a consistent A-game.
There’s a reason serious cash players know what optimal performance feels like. Hand for hand, they get over the finish line more often because they've devoted countless hours getting better at it. In a word, they practice. I also know profitable players with years in the game, some at high stakes, that play through cycles of pain and physical act-outs because they’ve never made their mental game a priority. There’s nothing automatic about mind-fitness. It’s a set of muscles we grow. Poker games are the gym. Our mind must do the reps.
Mindset work in live cash
As Stu Unger said, “the only person who ever beat me was myself.” In reality, thinking and acting are reciprocal and reinforcing because our thoughts determine actions.
Based on years of study with poker mindset legend Tommy Angelo, I take inspiration from Buddhist principles which can deliver less pain and more focus. Beyond "stay calm and do the best you can," actionable mental-game strategies are not just for poker's elite. Mindset is a peeled onion whose layers require time to master. Our habits, small and large, determine how we feel in every session from the first minute to the last.
Players at every level can learn to still the mind, and slow the harder moments so the lines we take ultimately serve a stronger decision set and protect bankroll. Should you want to move beyond casual play, we can fine-tune how you grow your awareness in areas that include:
- Detachment and patience
- Session length and quitting
- Bankroll and VPIP
- Tilt and table talk
- ROI and downswings
- Mum poker and info wars
- Devices and paying close attention
Custom approach
Like snowflakes, no two players are alike. We will thoroughly investigate your stress points so we can identify weaknesses in execution that are holding you back.
There's nothing mysterious about learning to perform in superior ways. It starts with a willingness to engage the game differenty. As a start, I can suggest behavioral changes that can shift how you're feeling, judging, and thinking about your play. Live cash is tribal, and players often imitate bad habits. A first step may be creating new structures—creating new frequencies and betting strategies, for instance, that can bring an immediate, and greater, sense of control.
I've studied the game for over a decade, and can suggest materials including books, videos, articles, podcasts, and streams. As a start, you might explore "Zen and the Art of Poker," a book I consider a masterwork in advanced mindset work.
Fees
Sessions are one hour and can be in person, on the phone, or via Zoom (recorded on request). I charge a competitive $100 hourly rate for individual training as plug-and-play, meaning no contracts. As a bonus, if you're in Vegas, we can share a game and I can observe your play.
Credentials
I teach live-cash strategies for NLHE. Privately and in major Strip casinos, I’ve played 1/2, 1/3, 2/5, and 5/5/25 games. I also play online, and have coached low-to-mid stakes NLHE players. I remain a passionate advocate for those curious about poker, especially women. I invite you to explore my journey under "Cards."
Let's connect
If you have questions, a first meet-and-greet consult is complimentary. Please reach out on the Contact page. For paid sessions, I will send a payment link once we book a time. I very much look forward to meeting you and sharing ideas about your poker ambitions!