Hey Poker Fam,

I made 3 final tables at the WSOPc in Lake Tahoe! It was going well until one hand and one river. Poker has a way of testing your mental resilience just when you think you've got it figured out.

This week marks a shift in the Poker landscape. WSOP Circuit is going places it's never been. Women are taking final tables as standard. And the game itself is evolving—mixing with chess, with go, with other strategic pursuits. It's a reminder that Poker doesn't exist in a bubble.

Let's get into it...

That's the story of my third final table run at WSOP Circuit Lake Tahoe—and it's the story of Poker in one hand. I was 69% to win. And then the cards decided something different. Standard, right? Except it's never standard when you're that close. Accepting variance is what separates winners from everyone else: you accept the hand you're dealt and show up for the next one.

Source: X / Instagram

The first-ever WSOP Circuit series in Texas is officially underway. Eighteen ring events. $1 million guarantee on the Main Event. Diverse mixed game formats you won't find anywhere else: Pot-Limit Omaha Double Board Bomb Pot, H.O.R.S.E., No-Limit 2-7 Single Draw.

This is what WSOP Circuit accessibility looks like. Players can fight for gold without flying across the country. The message is clear: Poker is expanding, and Texas is the frontier.

Source: WSOP

APT Taipei took an experimental step this week by fusing Poker with traditional mind sports. Players compete in Chinese chess, traditional chess, or go in the morning—earning bonus chips based on wins—then play Poker that afternoon with their augmented stacks.

It's a brilliant move. It brings new audiences into Poker tournaments. It reminds us that all games reward the same currency: decision-making under uncertainty. And it proves that Poker doesn't need to live in isolation; it thrives when surrounded by other strategic games.

Source: Poker.org

History at the U.S. Poker Open: Kristen Foxen, Cherish Andrews, and Ebony Kenney all made the final table of the $25,000 Main Event. Foxen ran hot all day, building a massive stack with smart aggression. Andrews and Kenney proved they could hang with the best of the field through a grueling day of Poker.

Source: Poker News Daily

From Dylan Gang's slow-roll against Garrett Adelstein to William Kassouf's speech play getting shut down by a pocket ace cooler, Poker has a way of delivering justice. Vanessa Rousso silenced Tony G's trash talk by stacking him with a full house. Ali Imsirovic (admitted cheater) got banned from multiple tournaments. And slow-rollers at major finals? The river had something to say about that.

The lesson: Poker remembers how you show up.

Source: Poker News

Tournament Poker demands three things from you: Mental sharpness. Physical endurance. Technical excellence. Most players obsess over the third. They study ranges, memorize positions, perfect their game theory. But they show up exhausted, hungry, and depleted. That's a losing strategy before you even sit down.

Physical preparation starts with sleep. Non-negotiable. You cannot think straight without rest. If you're crossing time zones, plan ahead. Your sleep schedule is as important as your opening ranges.

Eat well before and during play. A healthy meal before you start keeps your energy high and your mind clear. During tournament play, avoid the heavy dinner break food that makes you lethargic. Skip processed foods and sugar in the days leading up. Pack snacks that sustain energy without the crash—nuts, fruit, lean protein. Stay hydrated. Dehydration kills focus faster than bad cards.

Exercise improves everything. Better physical health means better mental clarity. Less stress. Better sleep. More energy. More endurance for those 12-hour days. The players grinding 12-hour sessions with sharp minds aren't the ones neglecting their bodies.

Your technical game is only as good as the body and mind supporting it. Prepare all three.

Mental and technical preparation matter too—they're covered in the next sections of how to prepare—but physical foundation is where every champion starts.

Free Poker Training → https://lexygavinmather.com/free-Poker-training/

I 3-bet A-K from the small blind and flop two pair on A-K-5, then fire three streets of value with the king of clubs in my hand—but when the river brings the jack of clubs and she shoves over my 20k bet for another 20k, you're going to want to see how I navigate this massive decision!

YouTube Channel → https://www.youtube.com/@LexyGavinPoker

If you're depositing from your regular debit card, you're leaving money on the table.

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If you're serious about Poker, this is worth the signup.

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A U.S. soldier faced federal charges after placing trades on a prediction market related to military operations and personnel. The case highlights growing regulatory scrutiny around prediction markets and their intersection with classified or sensitive government information. Law enforcement took the matter seriously.

Source: Card Player

High-stakes Poker professional David Peters, who has nearly $50 million in tournament earnings, publicly addressed unpaid debt accusations involving Dylan Linde. Peters expressed his commitment to resolving the matter fairly and restoring trust within the community. Accountability matters in Poker.

Source: Poker News Daily

Online gaming revenue jumped significantly in March 2026. The growth reflects sustained interest in regulated online platforms and players' willingness to participate. The industry momentum continues.

Source: Card Player

When you're prepping for a major series, what's the one thing you do that makes the biggest difference in how you feel at the table late in tournaments? Is it sleep, nutrition, exercise, or something else entirely? Reply to this email—I read each one of them!

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Talk soon,
Lexy Gavin-Mather