Episode 22 - Pre-Game Routines and Accumulating Chips Deep In Tournaments

In episode 22, MTT Coach Gareth James and Peak Performance Consultant Dr. Tricia Cardner opened the show by taking a bit of time discussing how to get the most value out of the courses, books and other content you consume to improve your poker. Tricia is studying GTO concepts right now and she and Gareth talked about how it’s important to know GTO lines so you can deviate from them to exploit opponents.

In a recent lower buy-in live MTT, Gareth practised chatting up his table mates and used the information he gained to exploit them. Using all his skills and with a little bit of luck, he made the final table as the chip leader. Unfortunately, he had a couple of hands that did not work out in his favor and he busted in 8th. We then took a couple of minutes to chat about the unforgiving nature of MTTs.

We then launched into the show with Tricia answering a question about pre-game routines/warm-ups. A pregame routine that you use consistently can help you get into the zone quicker and can prime you to concentrate and focus better.

Tricia also shred some research by Drs. John Kounious and Mark Beeman from Northwestern University that shows that being in a positive mood is associated with better decision making and emotional control. For this reason, it is critical that your pregame routine put you in a good mood.

This week’s question for Gareth concerned the best way to accumulate chips deep in a MTT. Again, Gareth gave tips on finding players to exploit. Many players tighten up too much as the final table approaches and they are ripe to be stolen from. It is key to be very observant. You can play a ton of small pots and if one of these tight players plays back at you, just give up. If you look for them (and know what to look for), you’ll find a ton of good spots to pick up chips!

Tweet us: What is your favorite way to warm-up before you play poker?

Want us to answer your poker question?

Post it in Dr. Tricia’s private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PokerMindsetMasteryLab/

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Or tweet it to us: @drtriciacardner @MTTpokerschool

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