How I Personally Prepare for a Tournament

By Chris Moneymaker

People think poker players spend the week before a tournament buried in solver outputs and hand history databases. Not me. At this point in my life and career, prep looks a lot more like mowing the lawn and cleaning out the garage.

That’s not a joke. It’s actually what helps me play better.

A Week Out: Just Real Life

When I’m about a week away from an event, my focus isn’t on strategy. It’s on my family. I’ve got a wife and kids at home, and I know I’m about to be gone for days or weeks. So I try to get ahead on everything around the house, the honey-do list, yard work, errands, and make it easier on everyone while I’m gone.

The poker-specific study is already done by then. I’m not cramming like it’s a final exam. I believe in learning over time, through experience, conversations, and observing sharp players. I don’t rely on solvers or stat tracking tools. I’ve never been a database guy.

From Meditation to Mental Neutral

When I first started out, I thought preparation meant intense focus. Before big events like the WSOP Main Event, I’d meditate, control my sleep, eat clean, and do everything “right.” But I never cashed in those events.

Eventually I learned that putting too much emphasis on any single tournament backfired. I was over-preparing, over-hyping. Now I treat all events equally — big buy-ins, small buy-ins, bracelet events, or dailies. My results got better once I stopped elevating certain events above the rest.

What Keeps Me Sharp

These days I rely on routine, not ritual. I work out every day, not for poker, but for overall health. I play chess to keep my mind sharp. But there’s no checklist taped to my mirror or morning mantra before game day.

The night before an event, I try to get a decent night’s sleep. That’s it. I don’t stress over gear or bankroll prep. By the time I’ve arrived at the tournament, everything’s already sorted.

The Phone, the Business, and the Felt

Balancing poker with life is always tricky. I have business obligations, content work, and family stuff that all demand attention. Honestly, poker sometimes comes last. I do my best, but I’m often on my phone during events — and yes, it does affect my play. That’s just the reality when you wear a few different hats.

The Most Overlooked Leak

The biggest mistake I see from recreational players is showing up exhausted. Partying the night before a tournament is a real leak, and one that’s easy to fix. I don’t drink anymore, and since quitting I have no problem getting to bed early. That alone has improved my ability to focus at the table.

Early vs. Late Registration

I don’t have a one-size-fits-all answer here. It depends on the field. For something like the WSOP Main Event, I want to be there at hand one. That’s when the mistakes happen. There’s value in playing every level.

But if I’m playing a high-roller event, say a Triton tournament where most of the field is as skilled or better than me, I might late-reg. In those spots, I don’t think there’s much to gain from battling deep-stacked early against top-tier players.

Goals: No Numbers, Just Better Decisions

I don’t set numerical goals. I’m not aiming to end Day 1 with a certain stack or hit a specific ROI. My only goal is to make the best decisions I can. And I’m brutally honest with myself about where I missed value, misread a situation, or called off chips in a bad spot.

That’s the only thing I can control.

Bouncing Back from a Bustout

If I bust Day 1 of an event, I don’t spend much time reviewing. After 20-plus years in this game, you build a thick skin. Bustouts happen. Especially early ones. I’ve learned not to take it personally and not to dwell.

Poker’s a long road. If you want to survive it, you can’t obsess over one hand or one tournament. You reset, move on, and get ready for the next one.

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