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:💌 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-course
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:Â
https://www.facebook.com/groups/pokerprofitsÂ
Or Tweet us: @drtriciacardner @MTTpokerschool...
