Alex Fitzgerald on Poker Mistakes, Books and Big Scores

Alex Fitzgerald on poker mistakes, coaching and why this book matters

Alex Fitzgerald has built a reputation in poker the hard way: through results, coaching, and a willingness to talk honestly about what separates long-term winners from everyone else. The American player has earned about $680K in live tournaments and $3.3 million online, and he has also published five books with D&B Poker. That combination makes him more than just another voice with opinions — he is someone who has spent years turning theory into practical lessons.

His latest book, The 100 Biggest Mistakes that Poker Players Make, is designed around one very simple but powerful idea: most players do not need a miracle strategy, they need to stop making expensive errors. That message resonates strongly in today’s game, where information is everywhere, but disciplined execution is still rare.

For players trying to improve quickly, this kind of framework can be more valuable than chasing random tips. It also fits naturally with structured study at a [poker school]( /en/pokerschool ) and regular volume in the right [poker rooms]( /en/pokerrooms ), where learning and practice can actually reinforce each other.

How the book came together and who it is for

Fitzgerald says the book idea came up organically in a conversation with his publisher about the next project. A book focused on the biggest mistakes poker players make felt like the most natural direction, because it is immediately useful and easy to apply.

That practicality is a major part of the appeal. Instead of trying to impress readers with complicated theory for its own sake, the book starts with solid foundations and then builds from there. Fitzgerald says it is mainly aimed at intermediate players, but many of the concepts also apply to more advanced players who want to sharpen their thinking.

That makes sense in the current poker landscape. A huge number of players know the basics of ranges, position and bet sizing, but still leak money because they repeat the same habits session after session. A book like this is valuable because it targets the real problem: not lack of access to information, but failure to apply it consistently.

For recreational players, the book can function like a shortcut to clarity. For regulars, it can serve as a mirror that exposes blind spots they may have ignored for years.

Why patience, rest and intention beat raw talent

One of Fitzgerald’s most important themes is that poker success is not simply about intelligence. In his view, the difference between successful and unsuccessful players comes down to fundamentals and a few key mindset shifts. That is a refreshing answer in a game where many people still look for some hidden edge that will magically solve everything.

When asked to identify the most important mistakes in the book, he points to three in particular:

• impatience — the belief that progress should happen faster than it really does;
• not taking rest days — the habit of grinding without enough recovery;
• betting on autopilot — making actions without a clear strategic purpose.

His point about impatience is especially relevant. Talented players often lose not because they lack skill, but because they become emotionally attached to the idea that success is overdue. Once that happens, they start forcing the issue, expanding too fast, or taking thin spots for the wrong reasons.

Fitzgerald’s story about a World War II veteran who also made money playing cards adds an interesting historical layer to that argument. It suggests that patience has always been a core edge in poker, long before solver outputs and modern training content existed. The tools have changed, but the underlying discipline has not.

Rest days are another underrated topic. In poker culture, especially among ambitious younger players, there is often a fetish for nonstop grinding. Fitzgerald pushes back on that idea. He credits his longevity partly to having hobbies away from the table that keep him balanced. That is not a soft lifestyle suggestion — it is a performance tool.

If your mind is exhausted, your ranges get sloppier, your bluff selection worsens, and your emotional control drops. In that sense, recovery is not a luxury; it is part of the winrate.

Betting with a purpose instead of clicking buttons

Fitzgerald’s most useful strategic message may be his warning against autopilot betting. He argues that every bet should have a clear reason. Information can be a side effect, but it should rarely be the sole purpose.

That distinction matters because many players think in terms of action rather than objective. They know they are supposed to c-bet, barrel, or apply pressure, but they do not always know what specific range interaction or value target justifies the size they choose.

According to Fitzgerald, once you really think through what a bluff needs in order to work, you often realize that an overbet is the better option. That is a strong reminder that bet sizing is not about habit — it is about structure. If you are not overbetting with some consistency, he suggests, that may be a sign you are not fully thinking through the function of your bets.

For serious study, this creates a useful checklist:

• What worse hands am I targeting for value?
• What better hands am I trying to force folds from?
• What does my range look like on future streets?
• Is this sizing chosen for strategy, or just because it feels standard?

That kind of thinking is exactly what turns theory into profit. Players who combine structured study with the right [promotions & bonuses]( /en/blog/promotions ) and the right games are often better positioned to put that study into practice efficiently.

EPT San Remo, PCA and the value of big tournament runs

Fitzgerald has cashes and final tables across several continents, and he has clear memories of the places where he has felt most at home. Among the most meaningful tournament experiences in his career is his 2009 final table at EPT San Remo. That result confirmed that he could compete in major-field poker and belong at the top end of the game.

What he remembers most from that event is not just the final table itself, but the physical and mental challenge of Day 2. He had played Sunday events the day before because the money was so good at the time, finished 10th in a $500 event around 5 a.m., then barely slept before returning with only two hours of rest. That is the kind of spot where many players collapse mentally before the cards even matter.

He says he had to lock in and avoid throwing the day away. That is a lesson every tournament player understands at some level: big scores are often built on the ability to survive fatigue, protect focus, and keep making decent decisions under pressure.

Fitzgerald also believes he made mistakes in that tournament, as everyone did back then because the overall understanding of tournament poker was much less developed. His biggest mistake, in his own view, was being too tight. He was only 21 and not fully ready for the moment yet. Still, he was directionally correct: he was putting pressure on others rather than letting them pressure him.

That is a useful distinction. Good tournament poker is not about playing perfectly; it is about consistently applying pressure in the right spots and not surrendering initiative too easily.

Favorite tournament cities and why life away from poker matters

When Fitzgerald talks about his favorite places to play, Las Vegas sits near the top. That makes sense, but his reasoning goes beyond the obvious poker appeal. He values the city because it offers a balance between hard work and downtime. There is always something happening, and the city has plenty to do beyond the tables: hiking Mount Charleston, catching comedy shows, exploring unusual museums, and generally resetting between sessions.

He also speaks warmly about South Korea, where he lived for a period and fell in love with the poker scene. Japan is another place he admires deeply, and he says every man should spend some time in Seoul if he can. He describes it as intense and unforgettable, and says it taught him a great deal about himself.

In Europe, his favorite place to play is the Czech Republic. He once took his family there for Christmas and described it as almost dreamlike. The kindness of the people left a strong impression, especially for someone who appreciates when a city feels welcoming beyond the casino floor.

These details matter because poker careers are not built only in hand histories. They are also shaped by environment, routine, and emotional health. Players who understand that are often better equipped to sustain long-term success. If you want a serious poker life, you need more than a seat at the table — you need a system that helps you recover, think clearly, and keep the game in perspective. That is true whether you are grinding in [poker clubs]( /en/pokerclubs ) or moving between international tournament stops.

Expert analysis: what Fitzgerald’s message means for modern players

Fitzgerald’s interview is valuable because it cuts through the noise. In modern poker, many players obsess over solver lines, balance, and technical precision while underestimating the boring things that actually decide their results. His answer reminds us that the biggest leaks are often behavioral, not mathematical.

There are three major takeaways here.

• First, progress usually starts with subtraction. Removing impatience, bad recovery habits and automatic betting decisions can improve results faster than adding a dozen fancy concepts.
• Second, the best players are usually the ones who understand why they are taking each action. Purposeful betting is a skill, not a slogan.
• Third, longevity matters. Fitness, hobbies, rest, and emotional balance are not side issues; they are part of the infrastructure that supports high-level play.

This is also an important industry signal. Poker education is increasingly moving toward holistic improvement: game theory plus mindset, volume plus recovery, technical work plus life structure. That is why players who take training seriously, use the right [poker agent]( /en/pokeragent ) setups when needed, and choose games wisely tend to build more stable careers.

For the next generation of players, Fitzgerald’s message is almost a blueprint. Don’t chase shortcuts. Build habits. Study the mistakes. Respect the game. And remember that a strong poker life is rarely about one breakthrough session — it is about thousands of good decisions made with discipline.

Final thoughts: a book that teaches players to think better

Alex Fitzgerald’s latest book is interesting because it offers something poker players often claim they want but do not always practice: blunt truth. It is not about hype. It is about the repeated errors that quietly drain bankrolls and confidence over time.

That is why the project matters. It gives intermediate players a roadmap, gives advanced players a mirror, and reinforces a message the whole industry needs to hear: success in poker is built on fundamentals, patience, and clarity of purpose.

If you can learn to rest when needed, avoid autopilot, and understand every bet you make, you are already ahead of a large part of the field. Fitzgerald’s interview is a reminder that poker rewards players who think carefully, adapt honestly, and stay in the game long enough for skill to compound.

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