Christina Gollins is a rising star in the poker world, having achieved impressive successes like a 4th-place finish at the 2022 Venetian Deep Stack Extravaganza ($83K) and a 1st-place victory at the 2024 Nevada State Ladies Poker Championship ($13K). Her deep run in the $5K Champions Reunion at the WSOP (13th, $18K) further solidified her reputation, and her unforgettable fold at the WSOP Circuit Commerce in a recent tournament captured the poker world’s attention.
Here’s a deeper look into her poker mindset and strategy:
Essential Prep Before a Big Tournament or Cash Game Session
Gollins emphasizes the importance of sleep before big events. After long hours at the table and late-night bagging, rest is crucial for staying sharp during these marathon sessions. In addition to sleep, she listens to her top four favorite songs to get in the right mindset for poker:
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Ecstasy of Gold
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My Heart Will Go On
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Gangster’s Paradise
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Drop the World
A Piece of Advice She Wishes She Had Ignored
Early on, Gollins was told that “correct play is greater than gut reads,” but she’s since learned to trust her intuition. While solvers and strategic frameworks are essential, live reads and gut feelings now play a central role in her decision-making. A prime example was her decision to fold AK at the Commerce Casino WSOP $600 ring event, a move that ultimately propelled her to third place. Trusting her instincts turned out to be the key to her success in this hand.
The Dumbest Thing She’s Seen at the Poker Table
Gollins recounts a bizarre incident at a WSOP table where a player at her table explained how the #1 and #9 seats could be used to memorize the deck’s shuffle by watching the dealer. She found the suggestion laughable, emphasizing that such actions are clearly against the spirit of the game.
Most Memorable Hand
Her most memorable hand came during the final table of the WSOP Ladies Bracelet event. As chip leader, Gollins faced a tight player who three-bet her in early position. Gollins held pocket jacks, but after a few days of playing with this player, her “Spidey senses” went off, sensing that the three-bettor had a strong hand. Trusting her intuition, she folded her jacks, despite the hand being streamed live. While many questioned her decision, Gollins knew it was the right move, and the opponent later revealed she held pocket aces. The fold turned out to be a game-changer, and Gollins remained calm and content with her decision, despite the online conspiracy theories.
Best Piece of Advice for Players
Gollins advises women to embrace their built-in intuition and gut feelings, as they often have an advantage when it comes to reading others and detecting deception. For men, she humorously suggests relying on solvers, but also encourages everyone to hone their intuition through practice. She believes women, in particular, have a slight advantage due to their natural ability to read body language and detect lies.
If She Owned a Poker Room, Who Would She Sign as an Ambassador?
Gollins didn’t directly answer this question in the article, but considering her emphasis on intuition and trust in gut instincts, it’s likely that she would want to work with players who also rely on their sharp reads and instincts, in addition to their strategic game play.
Gollins’ rise in poker showcases the value of combining strategy with instinct, and trusting your gut can often be the most important decision at the table.
