Peak Poker Performance: How to Bring Your "A" Game to Every Session

If you're struggling in any way with the mental side of the game, and who isn't struggling in some way, this book is the answer. Dr. Cardner has written a book that I'm sure will be later considered a classic in the genre and indispensable for those players taking the game seriously. One of the best things about the book is that Dr. Cardner includes (via her website) a set of PDF worksheets so that you can work the exercises as you read the book. If you read the book carefully and complete the worksheets diligently, there is no doubt in my mind that you will become a mental game beast!

I accidentally came across to Dr.Tricia Cartner on a randomly chosen podcast, where she was talking about some interesting topics, and mentioned about her website and this book. I bought the audio book, which she herself has read. The book simply competes head-to-head with Jared Tadler’s Mental Game of Poker book series.This book of Dr.Cartner talks extensively on some topics related to neuro-science, explaining how brain works, and how to attain a disciplined approach to learning and improving on anything in life, and that’s also where the book suffers, because the relevance to poker topics are too few. Perhaps, if you have never read any book on neuro-science of understanding how the brain functions, and how to attain useful habits, then this can be one book you may enjoy. I personally would have liked to read more touching points on playing poker, such as how to overcome the physcology of bluffing. In my view, Jared Tadler’s Mental Game of Poker says more things on poker than this book.

I really enjoy this book because not only it helps to improve your poker game mentally but it can also practical/relative to your daily life. Warning, if you are a beginner poker player, this book is not for you. There is no hand/situation or how to make play. The book based on scientific approach/data to re-direct you to become a well-disciplined poker player. Information and strategies are easy to follow and implement. How does it work ? Time will tell...

Superb book! I got so much out of it and highly recommend it. The chapters on beating procrastination and transforming the mental game were particularly helpful to me.

Great information for more than just poker!! loved it.

very informative mindset material

Dr. Cardner and Jonathan Little reported her excellent research on elite players in Positive Poker. This sequel relates that research to you, me, and other non-elite players: The very first paragraph said:“I wrote this book with one goal in mind: to teach you the psychological tactics and strategies that will show you how to perform at the outer limits of your capabilities more consistently.”A little later it says how it will help readers: “The material covered includes specific, clinically proven techniques that will show you how to manage your emotions, optimize your brain, build peak performance habits, and train your mindset for better results.”Its first principle is one that most players rarely think about: “Have a Compelling Vision. Even the most motivated poker player can get caught up in daily drama and stresses and forget ‘why’ they became motivated to play poker in the first place. A compelling vision can act as a catalyst for peak performance. Your ‘why’ is what’s going to help you get from where you are now to where you want to be”Its second principle is: “Create Winning Habits and Systems… just having a compelling vision is only the starting point of the journey to success… there are no shortcuts to success… disciplined, consistent, and persistent action is the determining factor in the creation of success…the easiest way to get into action regularly is to create systems and habits.I’d like to comment on all its principles, but it would take more words than you feel like reading. So I’ll discuss only one more, #7. “Understand and Optimize Your Brain.’When I earned my doctorate in psychology, we knew very little about the brain. Since then imaging techniques and other new research tools have shown that much of what we thought about the brain was wrong. Since my specialty is far from neurology, I did not now know much about this research.Dr. Cardner wrote, “We thought that the brain was fixed once you reached adulthood. Fortunately, we know now that the brain is ‘plastic’: as long as you provide it with the proper inputs, it will continue to grow and develop. … if you use the methods outlined in this book, you can expect to improve your performance by a wide margin… Understanding how your brain evolved and why it works the way it does can give you great insights into your actions and reactions… Your brain is either spiraling up and improving and growing or spiraling down and shrinking… Since the brain is your most important tool at the table, I encourage you to pay close attention to it.”One of the best things about both books is that they combine the rigor of the only poker writer with two doctorates and the experience of Jonathan Little, one of the world’s best players. She reports research on how to set and reach ambitious goals. His comments show that he’s already set and reached goals that are far above what most of us can achieve.If you buy it, it will help you to get where you want to go.Full disclosure. I received a free copy of this book and have met with both authors.

Itm 26 percent def has made me more focused..

So eat well, exercise regularly, use your brain and do a bit of meditation with deep breathing exercises; that about sums it up. A few pages on having a plan and self assessment but over all disappointing, give this one a miss and do the above and you'll improve your poker and save a few ££'s.