Why Your Morning Routine Matters for Poker Success
If you’ve ever had an epic poker session, you know it wasn’t just luck. The best poker players don’t leave their success to chance—they prepare. And where does this preparation start? With your morning.
The truth is, how you begin your day plays a huge role in how well you’ll play at the poker tables. You need to show up mentally sharp, emotionally stable, and physically energized. And who better to inspire us than the Stoics? The ancient philosophers knew all about controlling what’s in our power, staying calm under pressure, and building a strong foundation for success.
In this article, we’ll walk you through a morning routine based on Stoic wisdom that can help you crush it at the poker tables. Let’s get started!
1. Wake Up Early: Set the Tone for the Day
Stoic Wisdom: “Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.” — Benjamin Franklin (echoing Stoic values of discipline and foresight).
First thing’s first: wake up early. It sounds simple, but it’s a game-changer. As a poker player, your day is long and demanding. Waking up early gives you the time to mentally prepare and set the tone for what’s ahead. It’s about creating space in your day to focus on your goals without the rush.
Why Waking Up Early Works for Poker: When you wake up early, you’ve already won the first battle of the day: discipline. It’s about setting yourself up for success before the chaos of the day kicks in. You get to take things slow, focus on what matters, and ensure that you’re mentally and emotionally aligned with your goals for the day.
Pro Tip:
Take a moment to reflect on what you’re grateful for and set a positive intention for the day. This mental clarity can give you the confidence you need to stay focused during your poker sessions.
Make it a habit to wake up at the same time each day. Consistency helps you build discipline, which is crucial for poker.
2. Start with Meditation: Clear Your Mind, Strengthen Your Focus
Stoic Wisdom: “Take a moment to reflect on the nature of the day. Consider the obstacles that may arise and how you will calmly and rationally handle them.” — Marcus Aurelius.
Meditation might sound like something only yogis do, but poker players can benefit just as much. It’s a way to calm your mind, build emotional resilience, and sharpen your focus. Before diving into your day, take a moment to center yourself.
How Meditation Helps in Poker: Poker is a mental game, and staying emotionally balanced is key. Whether you’re facing a tough beat or need to stay sharp during a marathon session, meditation helps you manage stress and stay calm under pressure—just like the Stoics taught.
Pro Tip:
Focus on your breathing and use “negative visualization” (a Stoic practice) to imagine potential challenges for the day. This helps you stay prepared for anything that comes your way at the tables.
Set aside 10-15 minutes for meditation or mindfulness each morning.
3. Get Moving: Exercise to Boost Your Energy and Focus
Stoic Wisdom: “It is not the body that we should be concerned with, but the mind. However, the body is the servant of the mind.” — Epictetus.
You can’t expect to perform at your best if your body’s feeling sluggish. Physical exercise is just as important as mental preparation for poker. A good workout boosts your energy levels, improves your mood, and enhances your mental clarity—all things you need when you’re facing a poker grind.
Why Exercise Matters for Poker: Long poker sessions demand focus, and physical activity helps increase blood flow to your brain. It gives you the stamina to stay sharp for hours and helps reduce stress, which is important for maintaining a steady mindset.
Pro Tip:
Consistency is key. Make exercise part of your daily routine, and you’ll start feeling the mental and physical benefits during your poker sessions.
Aim for 20-30 minutes of physical activity each morning. Whether it’s a brisk walk, a quick yoga session, or a light jog, moving your body helps set a positive tone for the day.
4. Journal: Reflect on Your Mindset and Set Intentions
Stoic Wisdom: “Every morning, reflect upon the things that are most important to you. Write them down. Let your actions reflect your intentions.” — Seneca.
Journaling isn’t just for writers—it’s a powerful tool to get your mind right for the day. It helps you reflect on your goals, check in with your emotions, and prepare yourself mentally for the poker grind. As a poker player, staying focused on the bigger picture is crucial, and journaling is a great way to do that.
How Journaling Helps in Poker: When you journal, you create a mental roadmap for your day. It helps you stay clear on your intentions, track your emotional state, and remind yourself of the bigger picture. Plus, it’s a great way to learn from past sessions and make improvements.
Pro Tip:
If you had a tough session yesterday, reflect on it without judgment. What can you learn from it? How will you adjust your strategy today?
Spend 10 minutes each morning journaling. Write down your goals for the day, how you’re feeling, and what you want to achieve at the poker table.
5. Eat a Healthy Breakfast: Fuel Your Body for Success
Stoic Wisdom: “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” — Hippocrates.
We’ve all been there: skipping breakfast or grabbing something quick and unhealthy. But when you’re preparing for a long poker session, what you eat matters. A healthy breakfast fuels your body and gives your brain the nutrients it needs to make smart decisions.
Why a Healthy Breakfast Matters: Poker is a mentally demanding game. To make smart decisions, you need brain power, and that comes from the food you eat. A nutritious breakfast keeps you energized, focused, and ready to take on the day’s challenges.
Pro Tip:
Avoid sugary cereals or pastries, as they can lead to energy dips and distract you during your game.
Opt for whole, nutrient-dense foods like eggs, avocado, and oatmeal. These provide long-lasting energy without the crash.
6. Review Your Strategy: Mental Prep for the Day Ahead
Stoic Wisdom: “Preparation is the key to success. Foreseeing what may come, and having a strategy to handle it, is the path of a wise person.” — Seneca.
Before you dive into your poker session, take some time to review your strategy. Whether it’s going over hand histories, studying new tactics, or just reviewing your goals, taking time to mentally prepare helps you stay sharp and focused.
Why Strategy Review Helps: When you review your strategy, you reinforce your decision-making process. It helps you remember key concepts and ensure that you’re mentally aligned with your game plan. This preparation will give you confidence and focus during your session.
Pro Tip:
Reflect on your strengths and weaknesses. This mental checklist will guide your play for the day.
Spend 20-30 minutes going over poker hand histories, concepts, or watching strategy videos.
7. Visualize Success: Prepare for Wins and Losses
Stoic Wisdom: “Visualize yourself not as you are but as you ought to be. Prepare your mind for adversity.” — Marcus Aurelius.
Visualization is a powerful technique for preparing your mind for both success and failure. In poker, you’ll experience highs and lows. By visualizing yourself handling both with calm and confidence, you build mental resilience.
Why Visualization Works: Poker is unpredictable. By mentally preparing for all outcomes—good and bad—you reduce the emotional impact of setbacks and improve your ability to make rational decisions.
Pro Tip:
Don’t just imagine winning—also think about how you’ll handle losses or tough situations with grace.
Spend a few minutes each morning visualizing your poker session. See yourself making smart decisions, staying calm, and handling challenges like a pro.
Start Your Day the Stoic Way for Poker Success
Your morning routine isn’t just about checking off tasks—it’s about preparing yourself mentally, emotionally, and physically for the challenges ahead. By incorporating Stoic principles into your morning routine, you’ll be better equipped to stay focused, resilient, and sharp at the poker table.
Start implementing these Stoic-inspired practices today, and watch how they help you crush it at the poker tables, one thoughtful decision at a time.
Further reading
The Stoic Approach to Managing Tilt in Poker
