Poker Pro Katie Lindsay’s Tips on How to Keep Your Brain Sharp

Image Credit: @katelindsss on Instagram

April 23rd, 2025

By Lily Anderson

Staff Writer for Wake Up World

In November 2024, the poker world celebrated a milestone that many longtime players and fans had hoped would come: the International Mind Sports Association (IMSA) officially recognized poker as a mind sport. By welcoming the World Poker Federation (WPF) as an affiliate member, IMSA put poker alongside games such as chess, bridge, and Go, solidifying its place as a discipline of intellectual skill.

This recognition highlights what poker enthusiasts have known for years—mind sports like poker provide powerful cognitive benefits. More specifically, poker can enhance strategic thinking, sharpen problem-solving skills, and improve pattern recognition. Players must remember past hands, track behavioral patterns, and anticipate opponents’ moves, all of which support memory and recall. Altogether, poker acts as a holistic brain workout, cultivating mental agility and long-term cognitive health.

Among the poker players carving their names into this mindsports’ legacy is ACR Pro Katie Lindsay. In October 2024, Lindsay made headlines by becoming the first woman to win a Moneymaker Tour Main Event, taking down the $1,500 tournament in Aruba for a career-best $102,915. With over $880,000 in live tournament earnings and more than $2 million won online, Lindsay is not just a fierce competitor but also a mental athlete who exemplifies how to stay sharp under pressure.

In this article, we’ll explore Katie Lindsay’s journey and the holistic strategies she uses to keep her mind in top form—both at the poker table and in everyday life.

Who is Katie Lindsay?

Katie Lindsay’s poker journey began long before she was winning six-figure prizes. In an interview with SoMuchPoker, she recalled how her love for the game started in the early 2000s during the online poker boom. That period was sparked by Chris Moneymaker’s historic win at the 2003 World Series of Poker. Living in Los Angeles, Lindsay took full advantage of online poker in California. Through trusted platforms like ACR Poker, Lindsay honed her skills in anonymity, developing a deep understanding of game mechanics and player psychology.

Before gaining recognition as a player, Lindsay worked as a poker writer, which allowed her to immerse herself professionally in the game. Covering major tournaments gave her the chance to travel, connect with top pros, and learn the nuances of high-level play. She soon started a poker agency, where she facilitated sponsorships and negotiated million-dollar deals for prominent players.

In a twist of fate, while arranging an ACR Poker sponsorship for her husband, poker pro Chris Moorman, Lindsay was also offered a spot on the platform’s pro team. Since then, she’s travelled the globe competing in major events and even hosting poker tournaments. Her journey is a testament to how passion, strategic thinking, and professional grit can lead to mental resilience and success.

How Katie Lindsay keeps her brain sharp

1. Experimenting with new poker formats

Lindsay understands that staying sharp means stepping out of your comfort zone. She often experiments with different poker formats to challenge her brain and keep her mental reflexes fast. One format she enjoys is the online tournament Survivor Flips, a high-speed game designed for quick decision-making and excitement. In this format, each player receives three hole cards and has just 20 seconds to discard one. The flop, turn, and river are dealt, and the player (or players, in case of a tie) with the weakest hand is eliminated. The process continues until only one player remains and advances to the next phase.

This rapid-fire format contrasts sharply with traditional, slow-paced poker tournaments. It forces players to rely on both instinct and critical thinking in tight timeframes—perfect for boosting mental agility. “I had so much fun being part of the testing group for Survivor Flips,” Lindsay said. “Being able to be deep in a tournament after only a few minutes of play is a rare opportunity in poker. This is perfect for those looking for a quicker format.” Engaging with different structures like this strengthens her brain’s adaptability and decision-making speed, key cognitive tools on and off the felt.

2. Focusing on fun to tap into intuition

Mental sharpness isn’t just about grinding—it’s also about flow and intuition. In an episode of The Heart of Poker podcast hosted by Kara Scott, Lindsay discussed how she embraces enjoyment and lightheartedness at the poker table. Whether it’s having a drink or sharing a laugh with fellow players, she prioritizes staying relaxed.

This mindset is crucial for holistic wellness. As we explored in our post on How to Trust Your Intuition & Find Total Clarity, intuition gives us deeper insight into ourselves and others. When we allow space for fun and relaxation, we’re more likely to access that inner knowing, which can guide us intelligently and intentionally through tough decisions. Scientific research also backs this up. Enjoyable activities promote the release of serotonin, a neurotransmitter linked to happiness and well-being. Moreover, serotonin has been shown to promote neurogenesis, or the growth of new brain cells, supporting long-term cognitive vitality.

3. Studying Spanish to build neuroplasticity

When she’s not deep in a tournament, Lindsay commits to daily Spanish study—a hobby that doubles as mental training. “I study Spanish for 10 minutes daily,” she told Poker.org. “I had already been using Duolingo for two years prior, but only for one short lesson a day. I want to make sure I’m actually spending more quality time learning rather than doing something quickly, just to get it over with.”

Language learning is one of the most effective ways to strengthen neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to rewire itself in response to experience. A study conducted in Sweden found that learning a new language increases grey matter density in the prefrontal and temporal cortices—areas responsible for memory, attention, intelligence, and language processing.

Unlike white matter, which connects different brain regions and facilitates speed, grey matter houses the actual cell bodies of neurons, making it a core indicator of cognitive strength. By engaging in daily language learning, Lindsay is boosting the mental flexibility and memory recall needed to analyze hands, detect patterns, and outwit opponents.

Final thoughts

Katie Lindsay’s journey offers valuable lessons for anyone looking to keep their brain sharp through holistic and engaging practices. Whether it’s testing new poker formats, embracing fun to tap into intuition, or building neuroplasticity through language learning, her strategies prove that mental health and high performance can go hand in hand.

As poker joins the ranks of recognized mind sports, professionals like Lindsay are showing us that sharpening your mind can be both a science and an art, one that pays off at the poker table and in life.

About the Author

Lily Anderson is an enthusiastic writer and curious investigator of the latest developments in science. Driven by a strong desire to learn, she has a knack for simplifying complex concepts into engaging stories, making science accessible and interesting to a broad audience. Lily’s work is important for connecting specialists with the general public, sparking wonder and fostering meaningful conversations about new scientific discoveries.