When major poker series like the World Series of Poker (WSOP) or other high-volume events roll around, many players focus on brushing up on hand ranges and ICM theory. But just as important as what you know on the felt is how you prepare off the felt. With long hours, emotionally taxing swings, and the physical demands of back-to-back tournaments, the habits you build before your trip can make or break your results.
To help players optimize both their mental and physical approach, PokerCoaching.com offers three excellent video resources: “Preparing for a Big Poker Trip” by Jonathan Little, “Off the Felt Tips to Crush” by Lexy Gavin-Mather, and the comprehensive “WSOP Prep Course,” led by Jonathan Little among a full complement of coaches on the company roster. Each of these videos offers unique insight into the broader process of tournament preparation, from lifestyle choices to strategic focus. Below, we break down each video and the lessons you can take from their two hours of instructional poker training content as you plan your next poker adventure.
Preparing for a Big Poker Trip, by Jonathan Little
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Before you book your flight or register for your first event, Jonathan Little recommends a foundational step: decide what you want from your poker trip. Not every player is chasing bracelets or volume. For some, these series are as much a vacation as they are a grind. Are you trying to play every event you can enter, or are you balancing play with sightseeing or time with friends? The answer should shape your entire approach to the poker tournament series.
Little emphasizes intentional planning. If your goal is to fire multiple bullets and rack up hands, don’t sabotage yourself by staying out late or cramming in non-poker activities. Similarly, if you’re traveling more for the experience, don’t feel pressured to max late-reg every tournament just to say you played. Defining your own version of success is the first step to avoiding burnout or disappointment.
Another critical point in this video is the importance of doing your study before the trip. Just like you wouldn’t cram for a major test the night before, your poker skills are best honed weeks or months ahead of time. Focus especially on common spots that come up frequently: blind vs. blind, early tournament play, and short-stack spots late in events. The idea is to arrive prepared so that you can conserve mental energy for in-game decision-making and enjoy the trip itself.
Lastly, Little offers a practical but often overlooked tip: get your sleep schedule in order before you leave. A consistent routine and solid rest are invaluable when you’re facing 12-hour days in high-pressure environments. Arriving fresh, focused, and physically ready is as important as knowing your ranges.
Off the Felt Tips to Crush, by Lexy Gavin-Mather
Are you a Pokercoaching.com Premium Member? If so, you can watch the full video here
While Little’s first video focuses on goal setting and mental prep, Lexy Gavin-Mather’s “Off the Felt Tips to Crush” zooms in on the small, daily habits that contribute to peak performance. She reinforces the idea that poker is not just a game of skill — it’s also a test of endurance, focus, and emotional regulation. Her tips cover lifestyle choices that, if neglected, can derail even the most studied player.
Gavin begins with basics: sleep well and eat a healthy meal before playing. It sounds obvious, but countless players enter Day 1 of a tournament on five hours of sleep and a gas station breakfast. Over a long series, this kind of neglect adds up fast.
Equally important is mental clarity. Gavin advises players to clear their minds and avoid bringing stress to the table. Whether it’s work, relationships, or travel logistics, lingering mental clutter can compromise your decision-making and focus.
She also suggests preparing logistically to reduce unnecessary stress. Learn the structure of your event before arriving. Understanding blind levels, starting stacks, and payout structures can help you build the right game plan. Additionally, Gavin recommends registering the night before or early in the day to avoid long lines, which can sap energy and put you in a rushed, tilted mindset before you even sit down.
Finally, she offers a practical tip for physical comfort: pack a small bag with everything you might need—snacks, water, hand sanitizer, a phone charger. You don’t want to be forced to make tough decisions with low blood sugar or be distracted because you’re dehydrated.
WSOP Prep Course, by the Pokercoaching.com Roster
Are you a Pokercoaching.com Premium Member? If so, you can watch the full video here
After you’ve nailed your goals and built strong lifestyle habits, you may be ready for more advanced prep, and that’s where the “WSOP Prep Course” comes in. This course is the most comprehensive of the three, with PokerCoaching.com’s deep stable of high stakes crushers covering both strategy and mindset. Designed to elevate serious players heading into high-stakes series like the WSOP, it blends theory and practicality in a format that’s easy to absorb and apply.
The first video in the course features Jonathan Little, is approximately one hour long, and focuses on 10 essential fixes players should make before heading to a major series. These include key technical improvements (like bet sizing adjustments, stack-depth awareness, and exploitative play) as well as psychological and emotional tools. A major theme is the importance of sticking to your core game. When big series roll around, it can be tempting to “level yourself” or try fancy plays, especially under the lights of a featured table. But Little emphasizes the value of consistency: your A-game should be your foundation, not an afterthought.
Another standout point in this video is the focus on emotional resilience. Little discusses the need to develop strategies to cope with bad beats and variance. With the small sample sizes of live tournaments, even the best-prepared poker players can bust early. Learning to manage expectations and detach your self-worth from short-term results is key to staying grounded throughout the series.
Pokercoaching.com’s WSOP Prep Course encourages players to view the entire experience — not just final tables — as part of the win. Whether you’re cashing every event or bricking the series, if you’ve prepared well, made strong decisions, and maintained your focus and health, you’ve succeeded on a much deeper level.
Conclusion: Preparation Is Power
The aforementioned videos by Jonathan Little and Lexy Gavin-Mather provide a powerful framework for approaching any big poker series — not just in terms of strategy, but through habits, planning, and lifestyle choices that support long-term performance. Whether you’re heading to your first WSOP or planning a local tournament grind, the habits you build now will define your experience and results.
Set your goals clearly. Take care of your body and mind. Study the right material in advance, and trust in your preparation once the cards are in the air. With the right mix of strategy and self-care, you’ll put yourself in the best position to crush your next poker trip, both on and off the felt.
