Poker Toolkit

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Levels (A/B/C Game) ​

The A/B/C Game concept is the most powerful self-awareness tool for a poker player. You never play at 100% of your capacity all the time. Poker Toolkit helps you define the characteristics of each level so you can recognize them in real-time and make the right decisions: continue, take a break, or stop.

Why Define Your A/B/C Games? ​

Without awareness of your level:

  • You play in C-Game without realizing it
  • You don't know when you're playing your best poker
  • You can't rationally decide to continue or stop

With a clear definition:

  • Self-monitoring: detect in real-time if you're in A, B, or C
  • Rational decision: if C-Game, take a break (or play very tight in MTT)
  • Capitalization: if A-Game, identify the conditions that get you there (see Focus) and extend the session

The 3 Levels of Play ​

A-Game: Your Best Poker ​

This is your optimal poker: total focus, strict discipline, rational decisions.

Key characteristics:

  • Total focus and concentration
  • Discipline: easy fold of marginal hands
  • Analyzed decisions, not emotional
  • Bad beats accepted without reaction
  • Good reads on opponents

Result: You generate maximum EV.

B-Game: Decent But Not Optimal ​

You're playing solidly but not brilliantly. Some occasional mistakes.

Key characteristics:

  • Slightly distracted (phone, thoughts)
  • Call some marginal hands
  • Slightly rushed decisions
  • Bad beats annoying but no tilt
  • Average reads on opponents

Result: Still winning, but reduced winrate (50-70% of A-Game).

Action: Continue but monitor yourself. If you slide toward C, stop.

C-Game: DANGER ​

You're playing very badly. Tilt, fatigue, or disconnected. This is the state where you lose money.

Key characteristics:

  • Autopilot without thinking
  • Gambling preflop (open/3-bet anything)
  • 2-second decisions
  • Tilt: rage, frustration, revenge
  • No reads on opponents

Result: You are losing. You're destroying your bankroll.

Target frequency: 0%. You should NEVER play in C-Game.

Mandatory action: IMMEDIATE STOP. Close all cash tables and don't register for more. In MTT, play ultra-tight and take a break as soon as possible.

Filling Out Your A/B/C Game Questionnaire ​

Poker Toolkit guides you with 3 questions (one per level) where you select and customize your characteristics.

Question 1: A-Game Describe how you play when everything is going well. E.g.: "Total focus", "Bad beats don't affect me", "Natural and fluid decisions"

Question 2: B-Game Describe the first signs of degradation. E.g.: "Slightly distracted", "Call some marginal hands", "Check the clock often"

Question 3: C-Game Describe your anti-ruin alarms. E.g.: "Autopilot", "Urge to recover losses", "Physical tension"

Tip: Be VERY specific about your C-Game signals. These are your alarms.

Using Your A/B/C Games in Session ​

1. Check-in at Session Start ​

Checklist:

  • Focus conditions met?
  • Well rested, hydrated?
  • Clear objective?
  • Emotionally calm?

Decision:

  • ✅ 80%+ → Ready for A-Game or B-Game → I PLAY
  • ❌ 50%- → Risk of C-Game → I DON'T PLAY

2. Check-in Every 30 Minutes ​

Question: "Am I in A-Game, B-Game, or C-Game RIGHT NOW?"

Identify 3-4 characteristics of your current game and categorize yourself.

Decision:

  • A-Game → Continue, even extend the session
  • B-Game → Continue but monitor yourself
  • C-Game → IMMEDIATE STOP

3. Protocol if C-Game Detected ​

As soon as you identify 2-3 characteristics of your C-Game:

  1. Immediate break: Close all tables
  2. No rebuy: If you just busted, DO NOT REBUY
  3. Leave the environment: Walk, drink, stretch
  4. Minimum duration: 30min minimum break
  5. Decision: Come back in B-Game or stop for the day

Fatal mistake: "I'll just recover this buy-in". NO. You'll lose more.

4. Tracking and Journaling ​

After each session, note:

  • Duration
  • Predominant level (% A/B/C)
  • Moment of tipping
  • Action taken
  • Lesson learned
  • Mental leaks triggered (for tracking)

Free vs Premium ​

FeatureFreePremium
View existing answers❌ No✅ Yes
Answer the 3 questions❌ No✅ Yes
Modify answers❌ No✅ Yes
AI Coaching accesses data❌ No✅ Yes

Integration with AI Coaching ​

AI Coaching can:

Identify your level:

  • You: "I just made a big mistake"
  • Coach: "Describe your state in 3 points"
  • You: "Annoyed, playing fast, urge to recover"
  • Coach: "That's C-Game. IMMEDIATE STOP, 1h break."

Remind your characteristics:

  • "Here are your C-Game signals: [list]. If you identify 2+, stop."

Analyze your progression:

  • "You've progressed on emotional management but regressed on focus duration."

Concrete Use Cases ​

Player Who Never Realizes They're Tilting ​

C-Game defined: "Fast decisions", "Physical tension", "Gambling preflop"

Solution:

  1. Check-in every 30min: "Am I playing fast? Tension in stomach?"
  2. If YES → It's C-Game, immediate stop
  3. Phone alarm to force check-in

Player Who Stops Too Early ​

A-Game defined: "Total focus, calm, bad beats don't affect me"

Solution:

  1. Check-in after a loss: "Am I in A-Game or C-Game?"
  2. If still A-Game → Continue (it's just variance)
  3. If C-Game → Stop

Pro Player Wanting to Optimize Volume ​

Tracking:

  • Session 1 (0-2h): A-Game 90%
  • Session 2 (2-4h): A-Game 60%, B-Game 40%
  • Session 3 (4-6h): B-Game 70%, C-Game 30%

Solution: Strict limit at 4h (before C-Game appears)

Usage Tips ​

Initial definition:

  • Be honest: describe your real game
  • Be specific: "I call too wide" > "I play badly"
  • Include physical + mental + technical
  • Revisit every 3 months

Daily use:

  • Pre-session check-in
  • Check-in every 30min
  • Strict rule: C-Game detected = STOP
  • Post-session journal

Integration:

  • Cross-reference with Focus: A-Game = Optimal Focus
  • Cross-reference with Leaks: C-Game = Leak triggers
  • Cross-reference with Goals: "Play 80%+ in A-Game this month"

Your A/B/C Games are your mental compass. Without them, you play blind. With them, you know exactly where you are and what to do. Define them now and NEVER play in C-Game.