I share 5 different poker mindset segments from my Anchor Podcast: tactics for a strong poker mind, having a student’s mindset, the power of the smile and more.

In episode 160, I answered three Q’s about online poker frustrations, putting into action what you’re studying, adjusting your cash game open raise sizing and seat selection.

You can find my SMART POKER STUDY ON ANCHOR podcast on these various podcatchers (and more than these):

• Anchor.fm
• Google Play Music
• Pocket Casts

Have a Student’s Mindset (3:35)

A student’s mindset means you’ve got an open mind and are willing to accept new teachings and ideas into your poker game.  What can sometimes happen is we start our study session (a video, an article, podcast, etc.) and we bring our pre-conceived ideas about the topic to the study session.  If we encounter something that doesn’t jive with what we think we already know, we may just dismiss it and not get out of it what the teacher/coach intends to impart on us.

What we should do instead, is forget what we know and pretend that this is all new to us.  Watch/read/listen to the content with intent to soak it all in and apply it to our game.

We do want to question what we’re learning, though.  Don’t blindly accept everything you’re studying.  Ask and answer questions for yourself, research and do the work necessary.  You can also ask the content creator questions via email or Twitter or Facebook.

The key thing is to put into action what you’re learning as well.  Good students read and learn, but the best students put to use what they’re learning.

The Power of the Smile (7:00)

Smiling is a natural reaction to enjoying whatever’s going on at the moment.

We can use the physical response of smiling in reverse.  When we’re unhappy, tilting or depressed, throwing a smile on our faces will help to alleviate some of our worries and negative feelings.  Try it out.

9 Tactics for Strong Minds (8:45)

Here are 9 things you MUST be doing for a stronger poker mind.  We can all do/be better, so let’s get to it.

1. Study 1 hour every day
2. Have a study plan with a weekly theme
3. Create an action step to put into action what you’re studying
4. Meditate
5. Read/listen to Peak Poker Performance by Dr. Tricia Cardner
6. Focus on keeping your emotions in check during your play sessions
7. Exercise
8. Sleep more
9. Eat healthy; no grains/sugar; drink a green smoothie everyday

Harmful Negative Self-talk (12:30)

Many of us talk down to ourselves and call ourselves names.  This creates a viscous cycle and when you say “I can’t do this” or “I’ll never be able to do that” or “I’m an idiot”, it makes it true in your life.  “Whether you think you can or you can’t, you’re right.”

Flip the negative self-talk into positive self-talk.

Instead of saying, “I can’t understand this poker math”, instead say “I don’t  know this yet” or “I’m going to keep working on this until I get it.”

Always Look Inwards (15:35)

Don’t blame outside sources for bad things happening at the tables.  Good/bad things happen to each of us at the same frequency in the long run.

Instead of blaming outside forces, look inwards instead and blame yourself.  Not in a negative way, but ask yourself, “What did I do wrong here?”  Asking and answering this question will help you improve your game and your insights, making for better play and more profits in the long run.

Challenge (17:00)

Here’s my challenge to you for this episode:  Figure out where you need to begin your mental game improvements and get to it.  Too much negative self-talk?  Flip the script and go positive for once.  Criticizing every new piece of poker learning that works its way to you?  Approach it with an open mind instead.  Not sleeping enough or eating terribly?  Get on a better program.  Find the issue and work to resolve it.

Now it’s your turn to take action and do something positive for your poker game.

Support the Show

Randy Strong took a great step towards improving his online game by purchasing PokerTracker 4 through my affiliate link this week.  For doing so, I sent him a copy of my Smart HUD to get him started on the right online poker foot.  Get your own copy of PT4 here.

Speaking of the Smart HUD, Paulo Gaiotto purchased his own copy.  Paulo's been following me for some time now and I'm happy to see that he's taking his online poker game up a notch.  Get your own Smart HUD here.