Find Your A-Game | How I Focus at the Poker Table

[@LowTide941]

Honestly this channel offers the most info I can actually use. Thanks Phil

[@PhilGalfond]

You’re very welcome!

[@hellsbells9000]

I need to take this chance to thank you deeply from my heart. I am flowing you since you were in card runners. You helped me a lot. I must give you the credit for all the good that happened in my life. Since I quit my job until I became a poker pro and now at the age of 32, an independent businessman and part-time poker player living in tropical island and enjoying freedom! Phil, thank you bro!!!!!! Edit* so happy to see the channel getting what it deserves 😉

[@PhilGalfond]

Wow! That’s incredible to hear. Thank you so much for sharing your story with me! This is exactly why I’ve always loved teaching - for moments exactly like this. I’m glad I helped you on your journey, but I’m sure you did 95% of the heavy lifting yourself. Well done and congratulations!

[@spookypoker3747]

where do you live? I may follow the same path and am considering different countries.

[@tomprice4016]

This was one of the most helpful videos I've ever seen. Anything to reduce my emotions at a poker table helps my game. You nailed it with this one, Phil.

[@PhilGalfond]

Awesome. It makes me so happy to hear that. Thank you for commenting!

[@jarirepo1172]

Same thoughts here. I have been playing for several years sporadically, some years grinding quite a lot and others almost none. Every time I put in the effort to play more I ended up drained and could not continue more than one year max. Now I already was on the way to this thinking, but this video clarified the specifics instantly and I realized just why I had felt more at ease at tables and being able to grind longer with less stress.

[@vallacespoker7902]

All of these years I still have that thought process … please call please raise no heart no queen… so intense thank you for this

[@PhilGalfond]

You're very welcome! It's hard to shake, I know.

[@HockeyManFe]

Thanks Phil! I didn't realize how much precious time I was wasting "hoping" for a certain runout. I think it goes well with one of my favorite quote: "Focus on what you can control". And in this case, it is our next decision!

[@tomaszziomek5219]

What also helped me is to have a pre-game routine where I write down few goals for my strategy and for mental game - "try to make the best decision you can when action's on you" is gonna be included :) Thanks!

[@okay4me2]

Always helpful

[@nashkot3878]

I loved playing poker, but since 6 months of bad luck, I am usually tired and drained when I get knocked out of a tournament. Millions of useless thoughts processed instead of just enjoying the game and making best decisions on each street. Starting tomorrow will try to implement above and am sure it will bear positive fruits. Thanks so much.

[@PhilGalfond]

You’re very welcome! Good luck turning it around soon.

[@pokerist5170]

Wow, so eyes opening. I have started working on mental game recently and I wasn't aware how much of my energy was wasting on hoping, fear, and regret. Being result oriented comes in variety of ways. Thanks Phill.

[@PhilGalfond]

You're very welcome. I'm glad it was helpful!

[@petrandreev2418]

Wow, Phil Galfond is truly a great player! I've seen several of his videos and they are all fantastic. His video about G-bucks is especially amazing. It really highlights the quantum basic of our world and how the game of chances can give us a better understanding of the outer world. I'm sure Nobel R. Taler would agree, as he spoke about this topic at the Nobel Circle in 2018-2020. The ability to understand the quantum nature of existence through the movement of cards has the potential to produce new scientists who can provide humanity with great opportunities for understanding the world

[@thefabo9349]

I was losing two buy-ins in a 2/5 game, then KZbin suggested this video by Phil. I watched it and tried to use the suggested strategies. Anyway, I started playing better and ended up cashing out up $200. Great advice Phil, thanks.

[@PhilGalfond]

Glad to hear it helped!!

[@thefabo9349]

@@PhilGalfond it sure did of course it was a small sample size, but I will practice it more often. I will report back 👍🏾

[@Nik87982]

Your content Phil is the best I watch here on KZbin....and I watch a lot of poker content. Please continue to share with us. Thank you for everything.

[@MherKhachatryan]

As an amateur, this is the most useful video I’ve ever seen. Thanks Phil !

[@PhilGalfond]

Wow, thank you! So happy to hear that it speaks to amateur players.

[@losyart]

Wow this is best video about mental side of poker i saw in years . Changing your way of thinking is a key

[@iainparamor1482]

Wow what a find. I watched this yesterday morning and took it all in. Then i went out and got absolutely slaughtered. My worst night ever, tanked 3 buy ins. 95% trash cards all night. Played 6 big hands and lost 5 on showdown. To rub it in i watched my chips go to Quad Aces and the first Straight Flush ive ever seen. Every lost hand I thought about this video, i took time to close my eyes and breath and will myself to not try and play captain comeback and just make the best decision i could at every point. Obviously i was frustrated but i didnt get to me once. I smiled my way through it, i did have one slight Hellmuth moment where my pocket queens lost to a runner runner flush l, but i didnt carry that into the next hand I honestly dont think I made one tilted play all night. Thats a personal win for me and I will take that into next game. Thanks for the content. Subbed

[@sensiv]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on here. I can totally agree, let go of your emotions makes not only your game better, it is also better in life. ❤

[@bennychua9932]

Can’t be more thankful for ur reminder esp during tough times ❤️

[@PhilGalfond]

I'm so happy it helped. Good luck!

[@Taylor-ce6ng]

Amazing video !!! Please make more mental game videos on how to handle more scenarios / thoughts like these.

[@buhitp1616]

One of the most helpful videos I've seen in my career Thanks a lot Phil!

[@PhilGalfond]

Very high praise! Thank you and you’re very welcome ♥️

[@pfamadocastillo1]

Thank you Phil Best regards from Uruguay

[@joelserna7435]

Happens to me alot! Thanks!! Is my 7th time watching the video!!

[@Scottjf8]

It's like you're talking right to me. My god, that's exactly what I needed to hear.

[@Alex-Bunin]

Sage advice. Applies beyond the felt as well.

[@FysioTimPoker]

This is the best advice and very recognisable. I am precisely this person in your video who is spending way to many mental bandwith on not important outcomes. Should focus more on every decision on it's own and not worrying about future cards to come. Calms me down a lot and been using it during my sessions and really thinking more clearly now. thanks again Phil

[@PhilGalfond]

Glad to hear you found it so helpful, Tim! Thanks for letting me know.

[@jesperkristensen5875]

We've been absolutely conditioned to "please like (and subscribe)" being nothing more than a must-be-in-there call to action by creators. This strikes me as a genuine thing from Phil; to ascertain whether this thing is something he should continue to invest time in. Sooooo, everyone please like, because this is the best poker content. Anywhere. Period.

[@PhilGalfond]

Thank you very much, Jesper! You're definitely right. I'm trying right now to see what I can accomplish if I set my mind to content creation, and it will certainly shape my plans after the next few months.

[@jesperkristensen5875]

@@PhilGalfond Having hoped you would play it last year, as an idea, you could put it out there that you'll play the WSOP ME and vlog from it, if you get xxxxxx subscribers by then. I'm sure, I'm not the only one who would love to see that.

[@Evoca1]

Thank you for this video. Literally my guiding light in my hands. It instantly calms me down. Insanely valuable. Cheers!

[@GPZ_Biker]

I cant imagine anyone hating on the vids Phil. I love the delivery, just oozing calmness and knowledge put into a simple message. Keep them coming.

[@GPZ_Biker]

*before I was even halfway through I had it liked and forwarded to my study buddy who's currently using a laptop with a broken screen...

[@PhilGalfond]

Thank you, Andrew. Will do my best to keep them coming and to improve them along the way!

[@GPZ_Biker]

@@PhilGalfond these videos are doing nothing but boosting your profile. We've obviously all watched you on the main network shows, but dont get to see you as a person. You are genuinely coming across as a thoroughly decent and humble guy. Even replying to the messages shows that. Mike Caro does it on his FB DM's and always takes time out to share his wisdom. Doing so just elevates you that little bit more.

[@Michaelperry1985]

Great work Phil and Co! I really appreciate the more frequent uploads, thanks a bunch

[@PhilGalfond]

You’re welcome! Hoping to up the frequency even more, but we’ll see if we can get efficient enough!

[@ineedagram]

I’m raally going to try to incorporate this in my game. I think about it all the time.

[@hova1983able]

Phil I’ve implemented your advice into my game and I’ve been winning. Thank you for posting.

[@PhilGalfond]

Nice work! Happy to have helped.

[@villavillavilla24]

This was gold, don’t stop Phil.

[@PhilGalfond]

Thank you!! I won’t. I think 😃

[@burtondavid1054]

It’s so awesome you’re putting out all this Contant you always been my favorite poker player. You seem like such a standup person and do so much to promote the game. Keep up Boss

[@PhilGalfond]

Thank you so much for the very kind words! I'll keep the videos coming.

[@lyticaLx]

I can certainly admit i truly felt this way of thinking this past week of playing tourneys. I had 3 buy ins and each got worse due to the mental/emotions I went through. I had the chance to fold an call in on call on the river for my stack left and be in the game. Second bug in, first hand in I bust against quads. I had a feeling as the range from the button would be pretty wide. Unexpected, but this video shows me we have the opportunity to make the right decision even if it hurts short term.

[@boogieboy75]

You are killing it lately Phil. The last several videos and shorts are truly improving my game with tangible results. Thank you.

[@PhilGalfond]

So happy to hear that! Thank you for watching & I’m glad you’re benefiting from it!

[@kungallu2133]

Love the content. Galfond is good at explaining the strategies so its easy to grasp.

[@alexdifonzo7444]

Phil, just dropping in to say you are the man.

[@RodBy]

No words to describe this so humble and "insane - in a good way" work that you share with us. Especially with free acess to everyone. And the best thing is, we can apply this teachings to others areas of life. I read about you, ofc you have came from a philosophy course "non finished - i guess", but the way you think and interact tells a lot about your personality! Im going to share this video with the mind coach of our team in hope she can share with everyone. Take care!

[@PhilGalfond]

Wow, thank you so much, Rodrigo! Those are very kind words, and I really appreciate you sharing the video with others!

[@kaustubhsrivastava8790]

Thanks Phil.. You are a great guy. Its not easy to share such things. Its very helpful. Cheers

[@nickaz1171]

One of the best poker tournament's lessons. Thank you Phil!

[@PhilGalfond]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@antoninchadima350]

Great video. Cool quick action steps. Thank you

[@bartsupino813]

A great explanation to that past events have no impact on current or future events as to the odds of the next action Remembering this piece of advice will take you far Always think things through and make the best decision possible for the action at hand. Thanks for the simple explanation and great advice.

[@JO1E1]

amazing thank you! thats going into practice today. this is the leak ive needed fixing. without realising! ❤

[@le9335]

Good advice. This certainly applies to me regardless the games I am playing. I will use your tips going forward. Thanks

[@sauceymitts137]

My favourite Phil in poker 😂😂

[@chrissinger101]

your right calm relax and pone oppents!

[@oj6580]

Thanks, Phil! Keep the videos coming.

[@vlad1mir100here]

Thank you. Awareness * Plan * Realization of mathematical models in the long run = Success.

[@peteradnell2202]

You are good at explaining different things in a pedagogical way so that it is easy to understand. It is consistent in all your videos. Great!

[@PhilGalfond]

Thank you so much!

[@jimzhan4857]

This is really helpful to me personally as I am trying to improve / focus more on the strat side of the game rather than other factors. Love the vid. Thanks phil!

[@PhilGalfond]

Awesome! Thanks for letting me know

[@lylelong9530]

Beautifully done sir. Great lesson!

[@PhilGalfond]

Glad you liked it! Thank you!

[@lylelong9530]

@@PhilGalfond My pleasure! Appreciate ya!

[@rembertnet]

Love the video but also what was the river on the KK hand?

[@dimenigma9274]

I think there was no river bc opponent folded so all the thinking of possible outcomes was wasted energy, just hope for the call and blanc river it always comes true! 😅

[@cauescorsato]

Im amazed...the best video so far...u are a great man!

[@seanvalken-leduc705]

I love this concept! I think it can be applied to not only poker, but life decisions as well. I'm going to keep working to implement this GTO strategy! 😊

[@earthshod]

My first coach, a stoic Estonian, once interrupted me after he asked me why I checked and I said I "hoped" my opponent would bet. "Hope" he said "is worthless. Hope clouds the mind. The longer you can stay at the table without this hope the more money you can make." This is now a running gag in my household with my kids.

[@clauskadrnoschka553]

I thought, i was resilient yet; but your vids take that approach to the next level…💪

[@OliHandy2008]

The "please fold, please fold" when bluffing is my worst mental drain from your list. (I usually play 3-4 hour tournaments, same regular opponents, micro buy-ins) I have got away with it (my poker stamina is 7-8hrs), even when being card dead has me relying on bluff's getting through, for hours. However, I have also been practising forcing opposite thoughts through my head - like "please fold, please fold" when I raise with premium, kind of like hoping to give false tells (how quick I act, where I look, lean, the placement of my cards and hands, breathing rate etc) I now realise that this will also be a drain on my mental energy if/when I play proper tournaments against strangers. I have a very bad drop from my A game to Z game when I am 'burned out' after 8+ hrs, and it takes a several days to recharge to where I can play A game again, which will be no good in multi day tournaments if I run deep. I will try to watch every one of your vids, they are quality.

[@leonboot9312]

Great advice exactly what i need to hear. Thank you.

[@PhilGalfond]

You’re very welcome ☺️. Glad it found you at the right time.

[@stourouk]

Thank you Phil really appreciate you taking the time out to share your thoughts. I've always been a big fan of yours

[@PhilGalfond]

My pleasure! Glad you are enjoying them!

[@JamesWilliams-em2is]

This is fully Zen. Think about the current action. Not the past or potential future hands.

[@JamesWilliams-em2is]

#DharmaPhil

[@michaelsukhman8247]

this one was particularly good! thanks, Phil!

[@PhilGalfond]

Awesome, thank you!

[@mvcards20]

Amazing work Phil very much appreciated! Keep em coming.

[@checkfold]

Good stuff, Phil. It’s been cool to see you more active on here; happy new year!

[@PhilGalfond]

Thank you! Happy New Year!

[@dukeandking64]

Perfect timing this morning after a very bad session last nite where I lost every big pots. I was all in and I was looking at the Tv when the turn or river was going to be dealt, and smiled after it…. I think it was ok but it hurts 😂

[@eddenton6595]

Thanks for the great advice!

[@craigferguson3433]

Phil the 🐐!!!

[@Solitarydays]

thank you phil really

[@josephgeorge7385]

Thanks for posting

[@PhilGalfond]

My pleasure!

[@josephgeorge7385]

@PhilGalfond I should have elaborated I appreciate you for making me think about the hands in a more in depth manner really appreciate you sharing your knowledge

[@Bazzy13]

That was some phenomenal advice, thank you

[@PhilGalfond]

Awesome, thank you for saying so.

[@charliesheen3019]

great stuff Phil, with thiskind of invaluable insights you will be at 100k+ subs in no time, love the new stuff

[@PhilGalfond]

Hope so! I'll keep it coming on my end.

[@bryant7036]

Thank you Phil!

[@PhilGalfond]

You’re very welcome!

[@j.sarnak1391]

This hits home for me Phil. I always have to remind myself to refocus on good decisions, I play low stakes live games and I can also play online in my State (Pa.) I seem much more disciplined online. Thanks for the content

[@PhilGalfond]

Absolutely! Thanks for commenting.

[@targho5744]

That's a great way to look at it, thanks!

[@PhilGalfond]

You’re welcome!

[@luckwesterbaan6475]

I like your videos a lot, but this is one of your best ever

[@PhilGalfond]

Thank you 😊 ❤️

[@louismaberry9683]

Awesome, as always Phil!

[@PhilGalfond]

Thank you 😊

[@familiagallardo8420]

Thank you 🙏

[@PhilGalfond]

You’re welcome, Familia!

[@billhutchinson7831]

Great advice, thank you. Happy New Year!

[@PhilGalfond]

Happy new year and you’re very welcome!

[@vina-999]

I’ve just finished reading the mental game of poker and it’s the same concept in it. Love your content as always. Plz share if u have time on what’s the best way to improve in poker games because I’m trying to get better at the game and not sure if I’m doing it the most accurate way. After reading some books I think I became kind of over Aggressive sometime.

[@HERO-zr6hl]

Amazing video. Thank you.

[@PhilGalfond]

Glad you liked it! You're very welcome!

[@JackFate61]

Thanks Phil

[@PhilGalfond]

My pleasure 😇

[@muhammadrazzaque7243]

Good stuff! Instead of hoping for what your opponent should or should not do, or hoping for a particular card to appear or not appear in the board, you can think about potential scenarios which can help you prepare for the next move your opponent makes or the next card that appears on the board. On a side note, I know you're originally from the DC area as I am too which I may have mentioned, it would be great if you one day visit MGM National Harbor or MD Live. 😁

[@joaopinheiro6141]

Thank you

[@PhilGalfond]

You're welcome!

[@cam41527]

Another great video! Super content

[@eun974]

I live your channel. I loved run it once poker. I wish you had more success with the site. I wish you all the best with this new project!

[@PhilGalfond]

Thank you so much!

[@thomasmoss5106]

Keep ‘em coming!

[@PhilGalfond]

Will do!

[@assadmojtahedi]

Lovely Phil

[@PhilGalfond]

My pleasure! Thanks for the kind words!

[@donnaowens3037]

This is such an excellent video! A few MTT's ago, after 10 hours of play, I was so mentally exhausted! I have been looking for various ways to not get that way again.( It also didn't help that because I was so card dead the entire time and bluffed for 10 hours, my mind was frazzled!) I can't wait to try this new approach in my next tournaments. Wondering what note you actually have written on your post-it note to remember this?

[@christophergreen2788]

amazing content Phil

[@navitaneja823]

Extremely helpful information n a great channel overall..❤ from India !

[@nathansmith7335]

Another great video Phil

[@PhilGalfond]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for commenting!

[@danielgarland9838]

Great video!

[@oleksandrsviderskyi7378]

thanks a lot !

[@Brisk317]

Excellent video!!

[@PhilGalfond]

Thank you very much!

[@kochampion7]

Hi Phil, love the videos. A few suggestions for future content I'm sure many of us would appreciate: more hand breakdowns. I find I get the most out of a video when you are going through your thought process and I can follow along and kind of confirm/check myself. This video is great as well and I watch all of them. A few other ideas would be taking some of the topics we read about in NL poker books (heads up theory, bubble play, speculative hands in cash games, low stakes play, etc.) and expanding on them with your experience and thoughts.

[@PhilGalfond]

Thank you! I’ve noted these down in a doc for future ideas.

[@mauromarino7202]

Thx❤

[@edwardkain5006]

Amazing!

[@MangoPopper]

Great videos, Phil! (And algorithm help.)

[@PhilGalfond]

Awesome, thank you!

[@MangoPopper]

@@PhilGalfond No, seriously. These videos you're producing are of exceptionally high value. There are lots of poker vlogs out there, but you don't find your sort of content elsewhere. (Yes, this is more algorithm help, but my comments are heartfelt.)

[@leonidasp.3813]

pure gold

[@robertseymour9217]

Great video from the GOAT!

[@PhilGalfond]

Appreciate it :)

[@TheFluffypanda808]

Wow this video actually hit so hard 🔥

[@PhilGalfond]

♥️

[@TheGodbody]

This was a good video i loved it