Day 1
After months of meticulous planning, and a lot of hard work to make things happen, the debut session of Zen Poker Mentoring proved to be a smashing success. Held in historic Downtown Las Vegas over the weekend of Feb. 21 st -22 nd , the debut session now stands, as a lasting showcase of everything the Zen Poker platform has to offer. From the All-Star lineup of poker pros to the personalized guidance given by Co-Founder and Lead Mentor Brian Rast, the two-day course was devoted to developing sound strategic foundations for today’s ever-evolving game.
If you were fortunate enough to experience Zen Poker’s debut for yourself, the following review should serve as a refresher course covering all of the lessons you learned in Las Vegas. But if you were in the tank before, pondering all of your options like only a poker player can, take a look at rabbit cam and check out the excitement that awaits. Zen Poker Mentoring’s second session is scheduled for May 26th, so if you like what you see, sign up today and secure your seat.
The session began at 8:45am on Saturday with excited students coming together for coffee and greetings. After everyone was settled in the instruction began in earnest, as former PokerNews presenter and current World Poker Tour “One to Watch Kristy Arnett led the way. As the introductory presenter Kristy had the toughest assignment of the day, but she more than lived up to her title as a Zen Poker Pro by breaking the ice in fine style. While discussing her specialized interests with the assembled students, covering the link between fitness and wellness regimens and performance at the poker table, Kristy began to discuss one of her preferred breathing exercises.
With the lecture room filled with serious students who paid to progress their poker game, Kristy’s breathing exercises left the students silent and stone-faced… until she flashed her signature smile and explained “hey everybody, this is Zen Poker!” The group of grizzled poker vets burst into laughter, and from that point forward the session was defined by informal instruction and comfortable interaction.
Next up was the man of the hour, and with his name attached to the entire proceedings Brian Rast did not disappoint. Leading a 90-minute lesson on Advanced Tournament Concepts, Brian immediately introduced himself to the class as a leader, a mentor, and a confidant. Brian’s lecture was followed by a 60-minute Had Lab exercise, as students played out a particular hand in order to study a specific aspect of optimal in-game strategy, before posing questions directly to the pros. To complete the experience and replicate in-game conditions, these interactive Hand Labs took place at fully functional poker tables outfitted with customized Zen Poker Mentoring logos on the felt. Bookending the first Hand Lab was another lesson led by Brian, this time exploring Opening Up Your Hand Selections.
For most seminars of this nature the arrival of noon signals lunchtime and nothing more. Zen Poker advocates an all-encompassing approach though, which is why our lunch period was punctuated with a primer from All-American Dave Swanson. As the foodie favored by poker pros like Antonio Esfandiari and Phil Laak, All-American Dave has become a staple at the World Series of Poker, serving his specially crafted culinary creations to tournament players all across the Rio. While students enjoyed a delicious meal, All-American Dave spoke about the importance of complete nutritional intake while attempting to tackle exhausting multi-table tournaments. After exploring the benefits of planning ahead by scheduling a proper meal during long sessions, All-American Dave – an aspiring player in his own right –stuck around to learn right along with the students.
As a special treat, well-known pro “Cowboy” Kenna James made a guest appearance on Saturday to conduct Hand Labs, alongside his puppy. While the Cowboy’s canine companion kept students company, Kenna delivered a truly impressive instructional lecture that inspired students to respond with a rousing round of applause. Combining the poker knowledge gained throughout more than two decades on the circuit with a unique flair for public speaking,
To conclude Day 1 of the debut session, Zen Poker Mentoring’s Lead Pro took center stage once again, and this time Brian discussed Aggression before leading the third interactive Hand Lab. Approximately eight hours after getting started, with a full day of intensive poker training under their belts, students headed back to their rooms at for some well-deserved rest and relaxation.
Day 2
Many experts believe true learning cannot occur without a proper period of reflection, and to that end Day 2 of the debut session began with a presentation by certified hypnotherapist and poker enthusiast Elliot Roe. Through his unique method of inspiring introspective analysis, Elliot was able to help students get in touch with their deepest emotions – the goal being to explore one’s underlying motivations for action, behavior, and belief. By underscoring the deeper levels of comprehension needed to improve at poker – and at life in general – Elliot helped students understand the real reasons behind risk aversion, susceptibility to tilt, and other psychological aspects of the game.
In the true spirit of Las Vegas, local cash game grinder David Redlin joined the Sunday session as a guest Pro for Hand Lab exercises. Redlin is a successful cash game pro who earns his living on the felt, here in Las Vegas.
By the time Brian addressed the class for the fourth time, his students had developed a real relationship with their mentor, leading to an extended Q&A exchange, which really showed what Zen Poker Mentoring is all about. As students peppered the pro with questions about game theory, Brian went beyond the call of duty, eschewing simplified answers in favor of complex and comprehensive responses. Brian talked directly with students and walked them through his own line of thinking, while also attempting to understand their own. In the end, time ticked away and the schedule was pushed back to accommodate – the satisfied students were having the time of their lives and surely didn’t notice.
Later in the afternoon Vanessa Rousso took the baton from Brian and hit the ground running. Known for her expressive nature and willingness to table talk, Vanessa immediately had the class stand as one to take in her lessons on reading an opponent’s physical, verbal, and behavioral tells. Every student in attendance was enraptured by Vanessa’s impassioned delivery, and by the time her time had elapsed Brian took her aside to offer a private congratulations on such a job well done. Vanessa also caught the Zen Poker bug during her time as a presenter, and rather than head out she stuck around to jump into the hand labs and let the students soak in some the knowledge she had to offer.
Brian saved his best for last and his fifth session proved to be the most powerful of the two-day session. Speaking with a Zen-like combination of calm and clarity, Brian provided the class with several powerful insights into his approach to poker’s never-ending set of problems. After taking so much of his time and energy to build a new poker-coaching platform, Brian was finally in his element, and his passion for the project shined through with every word he spoke. The class concluded with the fourth and fifth Hand Lab exercises being conducted consecutively, a change of pace that the students seemed to appreciate.
The entire experience ended with a meet-and-greet opportunity during which students grabbed a few autographs, exchanged phone numbers, and built friendships. All in all, the debut session of Zen Poker Mentoring was a smashing success, one that reconfirmed the tremendously important role that live coaching still plays in the poker industry. The students were able to experience direct instruction from several of the game’s most respected pros, feeling the chips in their hand while they pondered bets, staring their opponents down in search of readable tells. Brian’s overall concept for Zen Poker Mentoring was fully realized, and with the WSOP coming up fast, sign up today to secure a seat for one of our many instructional sessions this summer.
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