Voice Note #3: Leo Margets at the WSOP 2025 Main Event Final Table: Why It Matters More Than You Think
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
Mental Game Resources:
🧠 Feeling the pressure lately?
Grab the free Tilt Recovery Toolkit to reset fast and play your best—even when emotions run high: https://www.drtriciacardner.com/tilt-recovery (https://www.drtriciacardner.com/tilt-recovery)
🎯 Want to know how strong your mental game really is?
Take the free Mental Game Strength Quiz:
drtriciacardner.com/quiz (https://www.drtriciacardner.com/quiz)
💰 Thinking about transitioning to cash games?
Start with the MTT to Cash Diagnostic:
drtriciacardner.com/cashquiz (https://www.drtriciacardner.com/cashquiz)
🗣️ Have a question you'd like us to cover? Post it in Dr. Tricia’s private Facebook group:
👉 Poker Mindset Mastery (https://www.facebook.com/groups/PokerMindsetMastery)
Or in Gareth’s group:
👉 Poker Profits (https://www.facebook.com/groups/pokerprofits)
Or tweet us:
@drtriciacardner | @MTTpokerschool | @PokerOnTheMind
15 May 2025
Episode 196 - WSOP Reality Check: What Most Players Get Wrong
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.
The power of consistent routines: How solid pre-game rituals, in-game reset techniques, and post-game reviews keep you focused and mentally sharp throughout a long series like the WSOP.
Process orientation vs. outcome obsession: Why a process-focused mindset beats fixating on results (especially when around 85% of the field won’t even cash), and how focusing on what you can control leads to better long-term performance.
The danger of last-minute overhauls: Why the week before the WSOP is not the time to reinvent your entire game or make frantic strategic changes. Avoid the urge to “fix” your strategy due to a recent downswing – stick with what you’ve practiced and trust your preparation.
Sleep, nutrition, and recovery as secret weapons: How neglecting basic self-care can sabotage your performance. Gareth and Tricia emphasize prioritizing quality sleep, good nutrition, and rest days, and explain why trying to play every event (or partying every night) on minimal rest often backfires.
Smart bankroll management and scheduling: Planning out your WSOP events and budget ahead of time. Learn why it’s wise to sell action and set a realistic schedule so you don’t run out of funds or stress about money halfway through the series. (The last thing you want is to blow your entire bankroll before the Main Event!)
Handling tilt and emotional swings: Evidence-based techniques to stay composed when variance hits hard. They share how acceptance strategies, 6-2-7 breathing exercises, and the “second dart” technique can help you regulate emotions, avoid tilt, and recover quickly from bad beats or bustouts.
Recommended Resources:
Purposeful Practice for Poker: https://amzn.to/41QBGVC
Download Tricia’s Free Tilt Recovery Toolkit (cheat sheet + audio guide) – https://drtriciacardner.com/tilt-recovery
Mental Game Quiz: Take Tricia’s Mental Game Strength Quiz – https://drtriciacardner.com/quiz
Gareth’s Newsletter: Subscribe to Gareth’s weekly poker newsletter “On The Button” – https://mttpokerschool.com/newsletter
Want us to answer your poker question?
Post it in Dr. Tricia’s private Facebook group (Poker Mindset Mastery Lab) – join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PokerMindsetMasteryLab/
Or join Gareth’s private Facebook group (MTT Poker School Poker Profits) here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pokerprofits.
You can also tweet your questions to @drtriciacardner, @MTTpokerschool, or @PokerOnTheMind
27 Mar 2025
Episode 195 - Play Poker Or Focus On Family?
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.
📚 Recommended Resources:
Purposeful Practice for Poker (https://amzn.to/41QBGVC) by Dr. Tricia Cardner & Gareth James
Take Tricia’s free Mental Game Strength Quiz:
https://drtriciacardner.com/quiz
Looking to add cash games to your repertoire?
Take the MTT to Cash Diagnostic:
https://drtriciacardner.com/cashquiz
Sign up for Gareth’s free 5-day email course:
“How to Build Your First 10K Bankroll”
https://mttpokerschool.com/free-course
Want us to answer your poker question?
Post it in Dr. Tricia’s private Facebook group! Join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PokerMindsetMastery (https://www.facebook.com/groups/PokerMindsetMasteryLab/)
Or in Gareth’s private Facebook group! Join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pokerprofits (https://www.facebook.com/groups/pokerprofits)
Or Tweet us: @drtriciacardner @MTTpokerschool @PokerOnTheMind
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.5 / 5
43 ratings
Spotify
4.9 / 5
36 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 46 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
72
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
51
Contact Poker On The Mind Podcast
Guest appearances
Does not typically book guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of Poker On The Mind Podcast?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
