
 Thinking Poker
 Thinking Poker Episode 473: The Joy of Poker with Jason Su
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 May 13, 2025  Jason Su, an author and coach known for his work on poker performance and emotional presence, returns to discuss the joy of poker. He shares insights from his new book, emphasizing that many players motivate themselves in unsustainable ways. Jason explains the importance of managing emotions at the table and how true success combines achievement with enjoyment. He also delves into the use of intuition versus analytical thinking in gameplay, advocating for emotional mastery to enhance both performance and satisfaction. 
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Presence Replaces External Validation
- Jason Su found that learning to feel emotions changed his life and removed the need for external validation.
- Presence allowed him to enjoy poker and life without chasing wins for self-worth.
Ditch Dirty Fuel For Sustainable Drive
- Avoid "dirty fuel" motivation like proving others wrong because it burns out and escalates over time.
- Aim for sustainable motivation that lets you enjoy achievements instead of needing lack to keep going.
Winning And Joy Are Not Mutually Exclusive
- The goal is to win as much money as possible while having as much fun as possible.
- Emotional work both increases enjoyment and unlocks higher sustained performance.





