Show Notes
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
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Post it in Dr. Tricia’s private Facebook group! Join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PokerMindsetMastery
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Or Tweet us: @drtriciacardner @MTTpokerschool @PokerOnTheMind
More from Poker On The Mind Podcast
In this solo voice note, Dr. Tricia shares her thoughts on one of the biggest stories in modern poker history—Leo Margets making the final table of the 2025 WSOP Main Event. Tricia breaks down why this milestone matters far beyond the headline and explores the deeper psychological impact of: Representation and identity in poker Long-term resilience and performance How moments like this shape the future of the game What you can learn from Leo’s composure and mindset
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.
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.
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Poker on the Mind - Episode 194: Transitioning from MTTs to Cash Games with Gareth James & Dr. Tricia Cardner