Episode 194 - Transitioning from MTTs to Cash Games

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 Games

Listener 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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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:

• Purposeful Practice for Poker by Dr. Tricia Cardner & Gareth James
• MTT to Cash Transition Diagnostic: Assess your strengths, weaknesses, and next steps for a smoother switch.
• PrimeDope Variance Calculator for understanding long-term expectations

💌 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/PokerMindsetMastery

Or in Gareth’s private Facebook group! Join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pokerprofits 

Or Tweet us: @drtriciacardner @MTTpokerschool @PokerOnTheMin