The Mindset Advantage Poker Podcast

Gonzaga "Zagazaur" Oliveira is a high-stakes online MTT professional. He is one of the co-founders and coach of the Portuguese MTT staking company "Polarize Poker."

He has 2 SCOOP titles as well as multiple titles in other series, including Winamax Series, Powerfest, and EPT side events.

Elliot and Gonzaga discuss why your poker network has such a significant impact on your success, why joining a backing group is the fastest way to move up through the ranks, and how Gonzaga and his partners engineered a positive and supportive community in their stable.

In This Episode You'll Learn:

[4:00] How to stay cool under pressure on final tables while your opponents are freaking out over the amount of money you're playing for.

[8:05] How playing high-stakes games before you're ready hurts your results across all buy-ins.

[9:25] Why it's essential to surround yourself with other poker players who you like and are on the same upward journey as you.

[12:30] How (and why) the Polarize Poker Team built a positive and supportive community.

[16:35] Why an MTT with a small first prize can be more profitable than one with a huge one.

[20:15] What you need to figure out before you decide to go pro that allows you to push through the hard times.

[22:15] Why those who are using poker as a vehicle to become the best version of themselves have an advantage over those just in it for the money.

Resources:

• Polarize Poker
• Polarize Poker on Twitter
• Polarize Poker on YouTube
• Polarize Poker on Instagram

Keep Up With Elliot:

• Check Out Elliot's Other Podcast: The A-Game Advantage
• Elliot's Twitter
• Elliot's Instagram

After PokerStars removed SuperNova Elite, Bertie Bayley (who achieved SNE 3 times while being a pre-rakeback winner) took the "Renaissance Man" approach to poker by spreading out his play over many formats rather than specializing in just one.

You can find Bertie online playing under the handle "bigstealer" where he bounces between Spin & Gos, cash games, and tournaments. Most recently Bertie chopped a $1k Party Poker Powerfest event for $80,000.

In This Episode You'll Learn:

[1:25] How the necessity of paying off high-interest rate student loans led Bertie to poker.

[4:05] Why Bertie actually loves his life more since PokerStars removed SuperNova Elite.

[4:45] How to balance the freedom poker allows and the work you must put in to stay ahead of the field.

[7:30] Why it's so important to make the distinction between game selection and "bum hunting."

[9:55] Whey Bertie chooses to chase EV over glory.

[12:00] The physical and emotional toll that playing outside your bankroll can cause.

[13:05] The difference between rational and irrational anxiety

[15:30] The "Mindset Of Make-Up" and how to approach this delicate situation both as a player and a backer.

[18:10] Why being curious instead of dismissive can be the difference between growing as a player and letting the game pass you by.

[18:45] The danger of mocking players that you think are making poor plays.

[20:45] The "MTT Raffle" mindset shift to help you deal with the variance of tournament poker.

[26:40] Why you need to be careful of the free technical content you consume and why joining a good backing group is a great way to jump-start your game.

[28:30] Clues that can help you decide if someone is a good poker coach or not.

Resources:

• Bertie's Twitter
• Bertie's Instagram

Keep Up With Elliot:

• Check Out Elliot's Other Podcast: The A-Game Advantage
• Elliot's Twitter
• Elliot's Instagram

In This Week's Episode:

Elliot Roe promotes his online mindset training academy, Poker Mind Coach. His academy offers help to those looking to improve their poker game without paying to become a personal client of Elliot. The membership benefits of Poker Mind Coach are of unbeatable value and include access to Q&A sessions from the world's top poker players. Elliot's Poker Mind Academy seeks to help the average poker player develop the mindset and skills to become an excellent poker player.

In This Episode You'll Learn:

• 00:55 - Introduction of Poker Mind Coach Academy
• 01:19 - Why Elliot set up his academy
• 02:25 - Having access to Q&A sessions with the world's top poker players
• 03:34 - Poker Mind Coach Academy is for giving everyone their shot at poker
• 04:58 - Controlling your mindset can help you feel more motivated to enjoy poker
• 06:15 - Poker Mind Coach Academy is no-contract
• 07:07 - Sign-ups are open until Saturday and the academy is only open a few times in a year

Keep Up with Elliot:

Poker Mind Coach Academy

Adrienne "Talonchick" Rowsome:

• Watch and Subscribe to Adrienne's Twitch Channel
• Instagram
• Twitter
• Facebook

***If you've enjoyed this episode of The Mindset Advantage podcast, please subscribe and leave us a review over on iTunes to help spread the word about the show. Thanks!***

In This Week's Episode:

For over a decade, Gabriel Kollander has been playing online poker professionally. He initially started out his poker career mastering SNG's and then moved on to short stacked no limit cash games and crushed the highest stakes there for years. He has now made the transition to playing $500-$1000 Spin & Go's full time to focus his energy towards providing the maximum value possible to members of his Spin & Go staking group, Evolve Staking.

Currently living in Ubud, Bali, Gabriel leads a rich life outside of his poker career. He enjoys eating delicious and healthy vegetarian food, going to ecstatic dance, meditation, exploring human connection, working out, self-introspection, yoga, inspiring others, and living in his highest joy as consistently as possible.

In this episode, Gabriel talks about caring for his mind, body, and self in relation to handling the stress of poker, and his experience winning $100,000 from a single $500 Spin & Go game. In addition, Gabriel speaks about how taking care of himself first has helped him improve his overall performance and his health.

In This Episode You'll Learn:

• 01:40 - When Gabriel began playing spins
• 03:27 - How Gabriel balanced his life with playing poker
• 04:29 - How Gabriel felt not letting poker controlling his life
• 06:04 - Mental game coaching and life balancing in poker players
• 08:09 - Community aspect of poker stables
• 09:42 - Hitting a 100k Spin & Go game
• 11:52 - Mental game, mindset, and confidence in playing poker
• 14:55 - Appreciating what you do have
• 17:54 - Getting the maximum value for the work you're putting in
• 19:40 - Time zones and living costs matter in poker
• 21:38 - Living in Bali as a poker player
• 24:07 - The effect of diet on focus and poker play
• 27:19 - Intermittent fasting and efficiency for Gabriel
• 28:58 - Gabriel's stable, Evolve Staking

Keep Up with Gabriel:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• TiltBook
• YouTube
• Winning 100k Spin & Go
• Evolve Staking
• Poker Mind Coach

Adrienne "Talonchick" Rowsome:

• Watch and Subscribe to Adrienne's Twitch Channel
• Instagram
• Twitter
• Facebook

***If you've enjoyed this episode of The Mindset Advantage podcast, please subscribe and leave us a review over on iTunes to help spread the word about the show. Thanks!***

In This Week's Episode:

Raghav Bansal made history in 2015 by becoming the first Indian to final table an event at the WSOP. Then, in March 2017, at the PokerStars Championship, he placed 2nd at the high roller for about $337k - the biggest cash prize by an Indian in the past 10 years. He has been at the top of the GPI Rankings for players based in India for the past 2 years, with multiple good scores around the world, mostly in Macau High Rollers. A well-respected member of the Indian Poker community, Raghav has truly shown Indian poker players that they can play the best players in the world and win.

Raghav is the captain for the Pune Sharks in the Poker Sports League, a league which aims to "sportify" Poker in India. Raghav's unbridled success has paved the way for other Indians to do well in tournaments around the world.

In this episode, Raghav talks about the booming Indian poker market and his experience as a professional. He explains the difference between mindset and technical skill in poker, as well as the importance of self-reflection for personal growth. Both online and in person, Raghav Bansal continues to succeed as a result of his powerful mindset.

In This Episode You'll Learn:

• 02:52 - India's poker boom and what stimulated it
• 03:45 - How Raghav was introduced to poker
• 04:39 - Raghav on building his poker career throughout the years
• 07:54 - The biggest moment in Raghav's poker career so far
• 09:30 - How it feels playing at bigger poker tournaments
• 10:25 - The popularization of poker sports league in India
• 13:54 - The acceptance of family for an Indian poker player
• 17:47 - Astronomical poker winnings in India and its effects
• 22:05 - Mindset and its advantages in poker
• 23:58 - Facing the truth and self-reflection for self-improvement
• 25:57 - Raghav's advice for poker beginners in India

Keep Up with Raghav:

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Indian Poker Players Association (IPPA) Facebook Group

Adrienne "Talonchick" Rowsome:

• Watch and Subscribe to Adrienne's Twitch Channel
• Instagram
• Twitter
• Facebook

***If you've enjoyed this episode of The Mindset Advantage podcast, please subscribe and leave us a review over on iTunes to help spread the word about the show. Thanks!***

In This Week's Episode:

Ivan Stokes, also known as "ILS007," is an English professional poker player who has been competing since the age of 18 and has been a two time Supernova Elite player as well as a successful coach. Coming from a "study-minded" standpoint due to his experience with chess, this mindset has benefited Stokes's poker career from the start. In this episode, he speaks about how keeping a positive, productive mindset helped him become a better poker player, and offers tips on how you can improve your poker game.

In This Episode You'll Learn:

• 04:19 - Ivan's beginning experience with poker

• 05:23 - Ivan's connection between poker and chess

• 06:36 - When poker became more competitive and how becoming skilled at poker is up to hard work

• 08:28 - How Ivan dealt with the stress of competing in Supernova Elite

• 10:02 - Poker pros vs. gamblers—the similarities and differences

• 12:10 - Mindset's effect on Ivan's success over the years

• 13:11 - How Ivan mentally prepares to play at the table

• 15:20 - Why a negative mindset leads to a lack of productivity

• 17:53 - The struggle of moving up in stakes and how it can impact decision making

• 19:54 - How Ivan takes on goal setting after Supernova Elite

• 22:35 - How collaboration helps with motivation

• 23:29 - Ivan's advice for getting into poker in 2018

Keep Up with Ivan Stokes:

Professional Poker Videos

Coaching Series

Adrienne "Talonchick" Rowsome:

• Watch and Subscribe to Adrienne's Twitch Channel
• Instagram
• Twitter
• Facebook

***If you've enjoyed this episode of The Mindset Advantage podcast, please subscribe and leave us a review over on iTunes to help spread the word about the show. Thanks!***

In This Week's Episode:

YourDoom is a US-based NLHE cash game pro and owner of the training site YourDoomPoker.com.

He takes a different approach to the game than many players, choosing to play low volume to ensure that he's always playing his A-Game. Using this approach, he's been able to maintain a high win-rate and strong profit numbers only playing 12 hours per week.

If you're interested in learning more about his approach, he has offered a sizable discount to listeners of the show. When you use the code MINDSET, you can save 33% on his Expert Cash Game Play course or 20% off any other courses on the site.

In This Episode You'll Learn:

• (1:25) Why Ryan believes playing just 12 hours per week maximizes his profitability and enjoyment of life.
• (3:27) The difference between poker as a lifestyle and poker as a job, and why success depends on which you choose.
• (6:33) Why Elliot completely changed his mind about the future profitability of online poker.
• (10:29) Why "Downswings," as most poker players view them, are a complete myth, and one that can completely ruin careers.
• (26:20) Ryan's "silly little trick" for messing with your online opponent's heads.

YourDoom

• Graph and Results
• YourDoomPoker.com
• Facebook
• Twitter
• YouTube

Adrienne "Talonchick" Rowsome:

• Watch and Subscribe to Adrienne's Twitch Channel
• Instagram
• Twitter
• Facebook

***If you've enjoyed this episode of The Mindset Advantage podcast, please subscribe and leave us a review over on iTunes to help spread the word about the show. Thanks!***

In This Week's Episode:

Maria Konnikova is a contributing writer to The New Yorker, and author of the best selling books The Confidence Game and Mastermind: How to Think Like Sherlock Holmes.

Maria gained notoriety in the poker community when she won the 2018 PCA National Championship for $84,000, plus a $30,000 PSPC Platinum Pass.

What makes Maria's story so fascinating is that a year before her victory, she had no clue how to play poker, and admittedly didn't even know how many cards were in the deck.

Maria's books focus on psychology, and it's application in the real world. She chose poker as the subject of her next book, The Biggest Bluff, to try to understand the nature of luck vs. skill and figure out if we can learn how to tell the difference.

To research the book she chose to fully immerse herself in the game and attempt to make it on the live tournament circuit. With the help of Erik Seidel, her story has been one of outstanding success, and she's going to continue with the journey at least until next year when she'll play the $25,000 PSPC at the 2010 PokerStars PCA.

In This Episode You'll Learn:

• 10:52 - How Maria landed Erik Seidel as a coach before she ever read a poker book (and why she targeted him as her ideal coach).
• 26:36 - The high leverage skill that Maria learned through poker which she now applies to her most important decisions.
• 28:11 - The 3 reasons why Maria achieved rapid success even though Erik Seidel labeled her as "not naturally suited to poker."

Resources:

Maria Konnikova:

• MariaKonnikova.com
• Twitter
• Instagram
• The Confidence Game
• Mastermind: How to Think Like Sherlock Holmes

Adrienne "Talonchick" Rowsome:

• Watch and Subscribe to Adrienne's Twitch Channel
• Instagram
• Twitter
• Facebook

In This Week's Episode: Jon "apestyles" Van Fleet has long been considered by many to be the greatest online MTT player of all time, and his accomplishments in 2017 only served to cement that legacy.

In 2017 he won the Party Poker Millions Main Event for $1,027,000, the Party Poker Power Fest Main Event for $153,000, and the PokerStars $700 Super-Sized Sunday for over $82,000.

Jon joins Elliot and Adrienne to talk about his incredible year and how you can study under him in his Elevate Group Coaching Program on Max-Value.com.

In This Episode You'll Learn:

• [3:37] – How on the final day of the Party Poker Millions Jon was able to set aside the enormous amount he was playing for, make peace with whatever happened, all while remaining confident that he was going to win.
• [6:45] - The specific Yoga discipline that high-stakes poker players are using to improve their mental and physical performance.
• [12:13] – Why Jon stopped trash talking other player's games even though he consistently finds leaks in their games and doesn't believe anybody is very good.
• [14:20] – The mindset that Jon uses to maintain his passion for improving his game, even after grinding online MTTs for over 13 years.
• [21:14] – Learn about the Elevate Program that Jon runs on Max-Value.com and how you can apply to be a member and learn his system.

Jon "apestyles" Van Fleet

• Apply For Jon's Elevate Program
• Max-Value.com
• Twitter
• PocketFives Profile

Adrienne "Talonchick" Rowsome:

• Watch and Subscribe to Adrienne's Twitch Channel
• Instagram
• Twitter
• Facebook

Want to get your hands on some of Elliot's best poker mindset content for free?

From December 26th-29th he is hosting The Poker Mind Coach Academy Open House, to celebrate the opening of public enrollment to the Academy.

Over 4 days you'll get 9 video "Sneak Peeks" of Academy content, and be able to attend a free live webinar with Elliot on the 29th.

To register for this free event just visit:

http://www.pokermindcoachacademy.com