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Posts Tagged ‘Live Poker Training’

Poker Wonder Woman

June 29th, 2010 |

At 6'5" tall, people often called me The Poker Amazon, but I don't really see myself clad in a short, leather toga carrying a bow and arrow. Rather, I see myself more like Poker's Wonder Woman, decked out in that red, white and blue costume.

Sure, the outfit is sexist, but, on a more practical note, I don't know if I still have the legs for those short shorts. Read the rest of this entry »

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Poker Life Lesson – Excellence beats Perfection

May 15th, 2010 |

Author: Donna Blevins

Have you ever found yourself stuck in a project because you felt it was not good enough? Or, stuck in your poker game or at a point in your life because you felt you were not good enough? Well, I certainly have. Read the rest of this entry »

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Wise Counsel from Poker Coach’s Coach

April 27th, 2010 |

Author: Donna Blevins

Even though I'm in training for this summer's WSOP® Main Event, my poker coach did not accompany me to last Saturday's tournament. After busting our early, I desperately needed to hear his reassuring voice.

You see, besides being my poker coach, he is also my life coach, mentor, best friend, and husband. Despite the fact that he only stands 5'3" on a tall day, he is one of the few people I truly look up to… I call him Gregory the Great!

He had not gone with me to the tournament because he was deeply involved in a project with a short-term deadline. Certainly, I understood, but I still missed the grounding and perspective he provided during and after a game.

I always hate to interrupt him when he's working on a major project, but I so needed to hear his voice. After driving for nearly an hour and a half, and becoming more and more frustrated, I called Gregory. Fortunately, he said it was perfect timing. He, too, needed a break and a change of pace.

After explaining to him all the major hands I played during this tournament, he reassured me that I had played every hand correctly. As he says, sometimes, you just get snapped off. Even when you lose multiple hands in a short time frame where the odds are dramatically in your favor, that's still just part of the game.

Sure, I know that. I teach that. However, it does not make me immune to what I call the Double D's… and no, guys, don't go there… the Double D's are the Doubt-Demons.

Gregory reminded me that the main objective in poker is not to win every hand you play, but to make the correct decisions, not just some of the time, now just most of the time, but all of the time.

After going through our traditional debriefing process, we both knew that I had made the correct decisions, each and every time. That's what counts, really counts in poker… making correct decisions.

Perseverance in the long run will prevail… God, I love that man!

Remember…

If you can't raise, don't call.

Donna Blevins
Poker Coach

What if you could learn how to play like a poker pro in only 8-short weeks? Interested? Then check my live poker training.

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What is Your Greatest Poker Challenge?

April 13th, 2010 |

Author: Donna Blevins

One of the new members of my Poker Pure & Simple™ 8-week live, poker training program is playing in a major poker championship this weekend. In preparation for the tournament, last night I asked her to answer one question instantly with whatever came to mind:

The Question: What will be your greatest challenge during this poker tournament?

Her Greatest Poker Challenge:

My greatest challenge during the tournament will be staying disciplined and only playing premium hands. Then, if I lose with a premium hand, not getting on tilt. That can leave me feeling defeated, especially if I lose a big pot.

My Response:

What you're telling me is that your biggest challenge is mindset.

I understand 100%. Every poker player has been there.

You told me that I'm sitting on your shoulder whispering, "When you can't raise, you can't call!"

Here is your second whisper:

"Stay in the Moment."

Regardless of where you are in the poker tournament, focus on making the correct decisions… not just some of the time, not just part of the time, but all the time.

You already know how to make correct decisions. You have proven that. You have earned your way into this poker championship by making correct decisions.

The key is that correct decisions come for staying in the moment.

Tilting is simply a case of staying in the past and being judgmental about how you acted. Even if that action took place only a split second ago, it is still The Past. It is not The Now.

It's the "Should'uvs" and "If only's" that will defeat you, not the cards.

You already know what and how to play. When you stay in the moment, it is easy to trust your instincts and your read on the situation.

Ask yourself over, and over again, "Why do I always make the correct action at the poker table?"

Your subconscious then searches for answers that reinforce the fact that you always make the correct action, rather than searching for reasons why you do not. That strengthens you and serves to raise your confidence in your decision-making abilities.

When you ask empowering Why Questions, your subconscious mind will do the rest.

Until next time, just as she has, remember my motto:

If you can't raise, don't call!

Donna Blevins
Poker Coach

PS: I am dedicating this post to my poker coaching clients, who honored me by allowing me to share their journey with them.

When you are ready to take your poker game to the next level in, it's time for 8-weeks of live poker coaching.

Poker Pure & Simple^tm

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Poker ABCs – D is for Vitamin D

April 12th, 2010 |

Author: Donna Blevins

If you go on tilt at the poker table or in the conference room, people usually just think you're a jerk. Who would ever imagine that it's because you rarely see the light of day and have a Vitamin D deficiency?

Several years ago, I heard a TV doc say that Vitamin D was not just for bone health, it was also one of the most powerful healing chemicals in our body. He went on to recite a long list of features and benefits of Vitamin D. Three got my attention:

1. A lack of Vitamin D can contribute to depression and mood swings

2. Virtually every cell in the body has Vitamin D receptors and must have Vitamin D to function at their peak

3. Our skin makes Vitamin D naturally as a response to sunlight, but it cannot create it on its own

Around the same time that I saw this on TV, I ran into a poker player acquaintance, who had been playing full time for about 12 months. He had always been a solid player and made a good living playing cards, looked healthy and was pleasant at the table.

The next time I saw him, a little more than a year later, he was short tempered, and his face was an ugly, grayish color. He frankly looked sick.

I asked his wife how much time he spent outside in the daylight, and she said none. He played until the wee hours of the morning, came home, slept until dark, then went back to the card room. Once I told her about what I had just heard about Vitamin D and its impact on our overall well being, she vowed to get him outside once a day.

She did just that. He now looks and feels better, and his poker game has dramatically improved.

Vitamin D is perhaps the single most underrated nutrient in the world of nutrition. It may also be another important part of playing winning poker.

Until next time, remember my motto:

If you can't raise, don't call!

Donna Blevins
Poker Coach

Receive the benefits of a poker boot camp without leaving home. Stay home and still get individual, live poker training brought to your personally by Donna Blevins. Take your poker game to the next level in my 8-week live poker coaching program:

Poker Pure and Simple^tm

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Poker ABC’s – C is for Courage

April 10th, 2010 |

Author: Donna Blevins

"The road to perfection is one basic step after another."

In poker and in life, C is for the Courage to take action, even when fear overwhelms you. Have the courage to let fear be your friend.

Fear may just be telling you something is out of sync. Rather than allow fear to choke you at the poker table, tap into your courage and use fear's energy to heighten your awareness.

In the fall of 2008, I experienced my first vision quest during a woman's retreat. Frankly, I was skeptical when they said the intention of this exercise was to find my animal spirit guide. Even though people often say that my approach to life appears New Age, at my core I have constant battles… conservative vs. liberal… being fixed vs. demanding change. You could say that I am never bored!

Since I was having a fun few days with a wonderful group of women, I decided to jump into this as an experiment. What could it hurt?

After 20 or 30 minutes, I was startled when I came upon a regal, male lion sitting under a tree in the middle of a wheat-colored mesa. He was sitting very still with his front paws crossed. I felt no fear, just surprise.

He looked up at me and in the deepest, calmest voice you can imagine, he said, "What took you so long?"

At that moment, I realized that for the better part of my life, I had been looking for my courage. Maybe one of the reasons I love poker is that to win at poker, you must be courageous. You must face your fears. You must play your game, not someone else's.

Today, at the poker table and in you life, may you act with courage and honor your lion spirit.

Until next time, remember my motto:

If you can't raise, don't call!

Donna Blevins
Poker Coach

Receive the benefits of a poker boot camp without leaving home. Stay home and still get individual, live poker training from the comfort of your home or office. Find your courage and raise your confidence at the poker table in my 8-week live poker coaching program:

Poker Pure and Simple^tm

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Full Tilt Charity Tournament Today

April 4th, 2010 |

Author: Donna Blevins

Poker forums are a great way to connect with other poker players as well as pull people together for a great cause. Today, at 2pm EDT, Full Tilt Poker is hosting a charity tournament sponsored by PokerNations forum to benefit PokerGives.

PokerGives.org was founded by four of the icons in the poker industry. I am honored to call these four special people my friends:

Mike Sexton, Linda Johnson, Jan Fisher and Lisa Tenner.

Bravo to PokerNations.com, PokerGives.org and FullTiltPoker.net.

If you have put off getting a Full Tilt account, take action right now so you can play in today's charity event. Here's my online poker resource page if you need a quick way to download their software and get the latest bonus.

Today and everyday when you sit down at the poker table, remember my motto:

"When you can't raise, don't call."

Donna Blevins
Poker Coach

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Poker Tournament for Women – Orange Park, Florida

March 5th, 2010 |

Author: Donna Blevins

For Immediate Release: The Poker Room, Orange Park Kennel Club, Florida (in the Jacksonville metroplex)

Dateline: Saturday, March 6, 2010, start time 2pm, buy-in $150

What: Women Poker Tournament – Ms March Madness

Structure: Fantastic!!

Yesterday, after I spoke with the tournament director, Anthony Furnier, he sent me the blind structure for the event. It is fantastic with plenty of play!

We start with 20,000 chips, 30-minute levels, initial blinds at 25-50. For the first three levels (90 minutes), the blinds double, however, after that they increase at a slower rate.

Bravo for you, Anthony! And, hurrah for The Poker Room at Orange Park Kennel Club!

See you THERE!

Whenever you are in a tournament, remember my motto… my primary poker strategy:

If you can't raise, don't call!

Donna Blevins
Poker Coach and Motivational Speaker

In my upcoming live poker coaching program, I share strategies to help you get past the bubble during a poker tournament. To find out more go to: Poker Pure and Simple^tm

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Poker Question – How Should I Play This Hand?

March 1st, 2010 |

Author: Donna Blevins

Often I get an email from a poker-coaching client that begins something like this: "How should I have played this hand?" Then, they simply tell me the two cards they were holding.

Regardless of the cards, my first response is always the same three words: "It all depends."

When you are trying to determine your correct action, there are many factors to take into consideration. For my money, the cards you hold are the last thing to consider… certainly, not the least important, but the last to consider.

Keep this in mind in your decision making process:

1. What is the game & structure?

2. If a poker tournament, how early or late is it?

3. Is it online or live?

4. If online, was the action loose or tight during the prior 15 minutes of play?

5. If live, was the action loose or tight during the prior half hour?

6. How many players are at the poker table?

7. Where are you in relationship to the button? What is your position?

8. How does your stack compare to the rest of the table?

9. Are you short-stacked or tall-stacked?

10. Are you nearing the money bubble?

There are more questions to answer before you make your decision, however, chew on these for a while.

Based on all these factors, even before you look at your cards, decide how strong a hand you need to enter the pot.

Before you enter any pot, remember my motto:

If you can't raise, don't call!

Donna Blevins
Poker Strategy Coach

In my live poker coaching program, I share many other ways for you to raise your confidence in your decision making during a poker tournament. To find out more go to: Poker Pure and Simple^tm

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Poker ABCs – B is for Breathe

February 25th, 2010 |

Author: Donna Blevins

Remember to BREATHE and move to the moment before you take ACTION. This is a good rule of thumb in life as well as at the poker table.

Breathe deliberately three times like this: in slowly through your nose; hold for a slow count of five; then, release through your mouth, slowly and gently. Something amazing will happen to your consciousness.

It may even make the other players at the table think you have lost your cool. When in fact, you just located it!

Here's another technique that has helped me take control of my feelings and actions at the poker table. The next time you have that sinking feeling, rather than attempt to dismiss it, breathe into it. It just is. It is not you. It is just a fleeting feeling. However, that sinking feeling may be a signal from your subconscious that something is out of balance.

In my live poker coaching program, I share some other techniques to control your emotions and avoid tilt during a poker tournament. To find out more go to: Poker Pure and Simple^tm

Whether at the poker table or in life, the next time you are faced with a decision, remember this. Take a moment and move to your center. Breathe in and out. Then, take action, knowing that you are making the correct decision based on the information at hand.

Until next time, remember my motto:

If you can't raise, don't call!

Donna Blevins
Poker Strategy Coach

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