Voice Note #2: Why Phil Hellmuth Says the Main Event Is “Too Tough”

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

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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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

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 offHow Daniel prepares off the table for WSOPHow he handles the wide range of player types at the WSOPThe factors have helped him stay at the top of his game for so many yearsThe advice that he thinks newer players should ignore and what they should do insteadResourcesFollow Daniel on Twitter/X: @RealKidPoker How strong is your mental game? Take Dr. Cardner’s  Poker Mindset Mastery Assessment and find out! Sign up for Gareth’s weekly newsletter On The ButtonCheck 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/PokerMindsetMasteryOr in Gareth’s private Facebook group! Join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pokerprofits Or Tweet us: @drtriciacardner @MTTpokerschool @PokerOnTheMind

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 winnerHow he determines which events offer the most value at WSOP & other propertiesHow to be a big fish in a small pond and why that’s often the most profitable way to select your eventsWhy WSOP mega-satellites can be profitable & how he adapts his game when playing themResourcesFollow Carlos on Twitter/X: @HipHop101TriviaHow strong is your mental game? Take Dr. Cardner’s  Poker Mindset Mastery Assessment and find out! Sign up for Gareth’s weekly newsletter On The ButtonCheck 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/PokerMindsetMasteryOr in Gareth’s private Facebook group! Join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pokerprofits Or Tweet us: @drtriciacardner @MTTpokerschool @PokerOnTheMind

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 kidsHow he schedules and maintains a consistent playing schedule and study habitHow to put in the work to achieve poker successWhy it’s important to pace yourself mentally in live events & other tips to use when playing long, multiday live eventsResourcesFollow Bryan on Twitter/X: @bparispokerHow strong is your mental game? Take Dr. Cardner’s  Poker Mindset Mastery Assessment and find out! Sign up for Gareth’s weekly newsletter On The ButtonCheck 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/PokerMindsetMasteryOr in Gareth’s private Facebook group! Join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pokerprofits Or Tweet us: @drtriciacardner @MTTpokerschool @PokerOnTheMind

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 factorsAn exploration of WSOP milestone satellites and how they differ from a regular satelliteThe importance of consolidating your learning and applying what you’ve learned at the tablesHow to look for specific mistakes to exploit ResourcesDara’s Books: GTO Poker Simplified; Poker Satellite Strategy; Beyond GTO: Poker Exploits Simplified How strong is your mental game? Take Dr. Cardner’s  Poker Mindset Mastery Assessment and find out! Sign up for Gareth’s weekly newsletter On The ButtonCheck 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/PokerMindsetMasteryOr in Gareth’s private Facebook group! Join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pokerprofits Or Tweet us: @drtriciacardner @MTTpokerschool @PokerOnTheMind

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 resilienceThe research findings regarding the ability to bounce “forward.”The importance of post-traumatic growth to improving and feeling goodHow learning from your mistakes can help you be more resilientResourcesHow strong is your mental game? Take Dr. Cardner’s Poker Mindset Mastery Assessment and find out! Sign up for Gareth’s weekly newsletter On The ButtonCheck 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/PokerMindsetMasteryOr in Gareth’s private Facebook group! Join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pokerprofits Or Tweet us: @drtriciacardner @MTTpokerschool @PokerOnTheMind

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 exerciseThe research findings regarding the differences in sleep totals between experts and amateursHow sleep helps with memory consolidationTypes of foods/diets that are recommended for high performanceResourcesLight Therapy Lamp Sunrise Alarm ClockHow strong is your mental game? Take Dr. Cardner’s Poker Mindset Mastery Assessment and find out! Sign up for Gareth’s weekly newsletter On The ButtonCheck 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/PokerMindsetMasteryOr in Gareth’s private Facebook group! Join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pokerprofits