Psychology How to Prepare to Perform Your Best at the WSOP This Summer URL has been copied successfully! The WSOP isn’t just a poker festival – it’s the Super Bowl, marathon, and Coachella of card-slinging all rolled into one. In this week’s article, ACR Pro Ana Marquez lays out a “pro-level” prep plan for surviving and thriving in Vegas. From jet lag hacks and nutrition tips to fitness and mindset, this is the ultimate pre-WSOP playbook for players who want to go deep, and not broke.The World Series of Poker (WSOP) is more than a poker series—it’s a marathon. With hundreds of events, thousands of players, and endless distractions, it’s easy to burn out before you even hit your stride. Whether you’re chasing your first cash or aiming for a bracelet, how you prepare will directly affect your performance.From your nutrition and mindset to how you manage jet lag and late nights, here’s your all-in-one guide to crushing the WSOP this summer.1. Beat Jet Lag Before It Beats YouTraveling from another time zone? Don’t let jet lag sabotage your edge. Adjust Your Schedule Before You Travel: Gradually shift your sleep/wake times to match Vegas time.I usually start doing this about two and a half weeks before I travel. Hydrate Like It’s Your Job: Dehydration worsens fatigue—drink water before, during, and after your flight.This is also a good tip for when you are playing 13-hour sessions at the table. Get Natural Light: Once you land, get outside during daylight hours to reset your circadian rhythm. Arrive Early: If possible, arrive 1–2 days before your first event. You’ll play sharper and feel more grounded.I even like to do this in other stops in Europe, it’s always good to take a day before you start playing to have everything set so you don’t have to think about anything else besides performing your best.2. Plan Your Tournament Schedule WiselyPlay to Your Strengths:WSOP offers deep stacks, turbos, bounties, mixed games, and more. Pick formats that suit your skillset and energy levels. No need to play every day—focus on quality, not quantity.Avoid Overbooking:The temptation to max late-reg and multi-table every day is real, but burnout hits fast. Schedule intentional rest days and protect your peak mental energy for the events that matter most.This can be tough to do since there are so many opportunities to put in massive amounts of volume, but if you want to win the race, you want to play your best and be rested and focused for the most EV spots in the series. 3. Fuel for Focus: Smart Meal Prep & Eating HabitsWhat you eat = how you think and play. Nutrition can be your secret weapon—or your silent leak.Before You Play: Choose balanced meals with protein, complex carbs, and healthy fats: think grilled chicken with quinoa and veggies, or oatmeal with fruit and almond butter. Avoid fast food or anything heavy—digestive fatigue leads to mental fatigue.During Breaks: Pack snacks: almonds, protein bars, bananas, beef jerky, trail mix. Avoid sugary energy drinks and soda—opt for water, electrolytes, or green tea for sustainable energy. Eat light to stay alert, especially before late-day sessions.After a Long Session: Rehydrate and refuel—protein and carbs help your body recover for tomorrow. Late-night food? Keep it clean: think turkey wrap instead of pizza, or smoothie instead of greasy burgers.Pro Tip:If you’re staying for a while, book a place with a kitchenette or fridge. You’ll save money and gain full control over your nutrition. Use Instacart or Amazon Fresh for grocery delivery.Las Vegas is an amazing place to find loads of convenient, healthy prepared meals delivered to your door. One of my favorites is Paleo on the go, but there are many others, so take advantage of this!4. Fitness: Stay Sharp by Staying ActivePoker is mentally taxing, but it’s also physically grueling. Hours of sitting, mental focus, and tension in your back, neck, and hips can wear you down fast.Simple, Repeatable Fitness Plan:When I’m home, I prefer to have a split plan, but when I’m on poker trips I don’t know how many days that I will have time to follow my split, so I prefer to do full body 30-minute routines. That way I stay active but don’t put too much mental energy into my workouts.Set your minimums and maximums.Make sure you lift weights at least 2 times per week and increase depending on your energy and days off.Maximize your cardio by walking to the casino or using your hotel’s treadmill whenever you have some time to spare.Even a HIIT session at your room can do the job.Keep the blood flowing to boost your brain function.Also, don’t skip stretching every day, 10 minutes of mobility right after you wake up is all you need. 5. Build a Bulletproof MindsetTournament poker tests your patience, focus, and emotional resilience. The deeper you go, the more important your mindset becomes.Meditation & Breathwork: Start with 5–10 minutes of daily meditation or focused breathing. Apps like Headspace, Waking Up, or Calm work great. Use deep breathing at the table to manage nerves, tilt, or downswings.Yoga Nidra or Guided Visualization: Yoga Nidra (also known as “yogic sleep”) is a powerful relaxation tool—use it pre-session or to recover after long days.Doing this during the dinner break is an amazing hack to come back to the table completely revitalized. Visualization helps mentally rehearse winning pots, staying calm under pressure, and making clear decisions.Mindset Journaling: Reflect on how you felt after each session—not just your results. Tracking emotions, decision quality, and triggers will help you build long-term resilience.6. Master the Logistics Register Early: Beat long lines by signing up early via the Bravo Poker Live app or in person at quiet times. Stay Close to the Venue: Being near Horseshoe/Paris saves time, stress, and lets you squeeze in power naps or meals. Bankroll Management: Plan for variance. Set aside money for re-entries, food, transportation, and impulse expenses.7. Enjoy the Experience But Stay GroundedThe WSOP is magical. The atmosphere, the stories, the dreams—it’s electric. Let yourself enjoy it, but don’t let the lights and chaos throw you off your game. Remember why you’re there. Network—but set boundaries. Socialize, but protect your rest and focus. Celebrate wins, learn from losses. Every bust-out is a lesson. Every deep run is earned.Final Word: Prepare Like a Pro, Play Like a ChampionThe WSOP isn’t just about cards—it’s about endurance, decision-making, and mindset. Most players show up with dreams. The ones who go deep? They show up prepared.Train your body, sharpen your mind, fuel your focus, and protect your energy. And when the cards hit the felt – trust yourself. Ana Marquez The Spanish poker player, who splits her time between Europe and North America, has served as an ambassador for many prominent poker brands, and now she’s on our team.