On September 8, during the Super September tournament at The Lodge Card Club in Austin, TX, two players went head-to-head for a chance to claim the $30,544 first-place prize. The event drew 117 entries, creating a $103,545 prize pool. This heads-up battle was between Andrew Moreno, a well-established player and PokerOrg Advisory Board member, and Collin Rountree.
The Hand: Heads-Up for the Title
In this critical moment, Andrew Moreno was on the button with a chip stack of 2,200,000. He faced Collin Rountree, who held a slightly bigger stack of 2,400,000 in the big blind.
Both players were just a few chips away from securing the title. While the hand’s details weren’t fully disclosed, the critical point was the mindset and strategy both players applied, particularly how Moreno leveraged his experience and focus under pressure.
Keys to Hand Reading: Insights from Moreno
In an interview, Andrew Moreno shared valuable insights on the importance of being a strong hand reader in poker.
“One of the biggest things you can do to be a better hand reader is to be willing not to have the correct answer when you make the read,” he said. “That means sometimes when you fold, you’re just not going to know if you made the right decision or not.”
Moreno also emphasized the importance of self-awareness and understanding when you make a mistake:
“I think a lot of people are afraid to make mistakes and also afraid to be wrong. My poker friends and I always joke and say, ‘I like to sleep at night,’ and then make the call. But the truth is, many players need to see results to know whether they’ve been outdrawn or bluffed.”
This attitude highlights a core philosophy of focused decision-making—being comfortable with uncertainty and trusting your judgment even when the outcome isn’t immediately clear.
Moreno’s Path to Success
Over the last few years, Moreno has experienced a surge in deep finishes and wins. In 2021, he achieved his biggest cash yet, taking home $1,461,000 at the $10K buy-in Wynn Summer Classic, and followed it up with another impressive $460,529 cash the next year in the $3,500 buy-in event at the same series.
Moreno attributes much of his growth to consistent daily work and collaborating with top-tier coaches like Chris Brewer.
“I study for about one to two hours every day and sometimes talk hands with my coaches or friends. This kind of routine and schedule keeps me immersed in the game,” he shared. His intense focus and dedication to improving his game have paid off, and his recent results speak for themselves.
Poker and Family: Balancing Life
Beyond poker, Andrew Moreno balances his professional career with a fulfilling personal life. Recently, he has been blessed with a newborn daughter and a three-year-old son, alongside his partner, Kristy Arnett, who is also a journalist and poker player. Family is now his number one priority.
“When I have a couple of hours a day carved out to work on my game, I’m very focused. It’s intentional because I know that’s time I’m taking away from my family,” he explained.
This sense of purpose and optimization extends to his health and fitness as well. Every minute of his day is intentional, ensuring that when he does devote time to poker, it’s in a focused and highly productive way.
What’s Next for Moreno?
Andrew Moreno’s blend of disciplined study, laser-focused mindset, and personal responsibility has been key to his success in poker. As he continues to balance life as a new father and an elite player, it will be exciting to see how his game evolves even further.
If you’re looking to improve your own poker skills, you can follow Andrew on X and Instagram @Amo4sho. For more details on his coaching and upcoming lessons, visit his website at www.amo4sho.com.
