Elliot Roe argues that while poker has evolved significantly in strategy and accessibility to information, the next major edge for players will not come from strategy alone. Instead, it will come from optimizing physical and mental performance.
The Evolution of Strategic Edges
Throughout poker’s history, different generations of players have gained an advantage through evolving strategies:
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Texas Road Gamblers (1970s-80s) – Simple aggression, continuation bets, and semi-bluffs.
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Early Vegas/Atlantic City Grinders (1990s-early 2000s) – Hand selection and basic aggression.
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Online Poker Boom (2003-2011) – Advanced multi-street bluffs and positional 3-bets.
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Post-Black Friday Era (2011-2017) – Introduction of GTO strategies and solver-based study.
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Modern Poker (2017-Present) – Near real-time solvers and AI-powered training tools.
With the strategic landscape becoming increasingly refined and accessible to all, Roe questions where the next big edge will come from.
The Myth of a “Solved” Game
Despite the rapid advancements in poker strategy, Roe dismisses the notion that the game is “dead” or on the verge of becoming unprofitable. He points out that every era of poker has had skeptics claiming that the game was over, yet it continues to evolve.
The Fundamental Performance Question
Roe introduces the Fundamental Performance Question (FPQ):
“What are the best players in the world doing to be successful that I am not?”
This question is the foundation of his coaching philosophy. Success, whether in poker, sports, or business, requires three steps:
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Identify what the best players are doing.
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Evaluate what you are currently doing.
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Find and close the gap between the two.
Why the Next Breakthrough is Not Strategic
In the past, the biggest skill gap in poker was strategic knowledge. The best players had access to strategies and insights that others did not. However, today’s poker environment has narrowed this gap significantly. The difference between the best players and the average grinder is no longer just technical knowledge—it’s their ability to perform at the highest level consistently.
The New Edge: Mental and Physical Performance
Since strategic advantages are harder to find, the next leap in poker success will come from improving mental and physical performance. Top players already focus on mindset, emotional control, and optimizing their health to sustain peak performance.
Conclusion
Roe’s goal in A-Game Poker is to help players bridge the performance gap, not just through strategy, but by addressing the mental, emotional, and physical factors that separate elite players from the rest. By understanding and applying the Fundamental Performance Question, players can develop a long-term edge in a highly competitive environment.