Elliot Roe emphasizes the importance of vision in achieving long-term success and fulfillment in poker. While optimizing profits is straightforward, defining a personal vision is more abstract but essential for sustaining motivation and guiding decisions.
The Difference Between Vision and Goals
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Goals are specific end states (e.g., “I want to win $300K this year” or “I want to win the WSOP Main Event”).
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Vision is a state of being—an overarching direction that defines the person you want to become through poker.
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Example of Vision Statements:
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“The ability to choose what I focus my attention on without worrying about the constraints of time and money.”
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“Maintaining a sense of excitement and curiosity in poker through personal development and solving ever more difficult puzzles.”
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Goals provide waypoints, but without a vision, they become meaningless achievements that fail to provide lasting fulfillment.
The Trap of Goal-Oriented Happiness
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Many players believe they will be “happy when” they reach a goal:
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“I’ll be happy when I win a six-figure tournament.”
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“I’ll be happy once I’m playing high stakes.”
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“I’ll be happy once I buy this house.”
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However, happiness does not come from achieving goals—it comes from living in alignment with a vision.
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Roe states: “Happily ever after doesn’t exist.”
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Even high-achievers experience temporary satisfaction before returning to their baseline.
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Defining Your Vision – The Key to Sustainable Fulfillment
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Without a strong vision, achievements lack meaning.
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Vision acts as a compass—helping players make decisions that align with their long-term fulfillment.
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Vision is not a fixed destination—it evolves as a player grows.
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Definition of Vision:
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“Your mental model of the best version of yourself.”
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Poker success is not just about making money—it’s about who you become along the way.
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A-Game Exercise: Crafting Your Vision Statement
Roe provides a 30-minute exercise to help players define their vision:
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Write down everything you want your life to look like as an A-Game Player.
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How do you want to grow through poker?
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What kind of people do you want in your life?
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What activities do you want to do regularly?
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What actions do you want to avoid?
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After 30 minutes, consolidate your thoughts into a two-to-three-sentence vision statement.
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This will serve as the guiding force behind all decisions and power the A-Game Engine.
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It does not need to be perfect—your vision will evolve as you do.
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Conclusion – Vision as the Fuel for the A-Game Engine
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A clear vision prevents aimless grinding and ensures that poker success is part of a greater life purpose.
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It allows players to make decisions intentionally, ensuring they are always moving in the right direction.
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With vision in place, players can now align their actions with long-term fulfillment and optimal poker performance.
This chapter sets the stage for the next steps—turning vision into actionable daily habits that drive sustained poker success.