It's a new year and, as such, poker players across the globe are thinking hard about how to approach the road ahead.
For some, poker-specific goals dominate the resolution list. For others, it's the off-the-felt aspirations that guide their forward thinking. In certain cases, it's a little bit of both. Whether your New Year's resolutions center on-felt, off-felt, or a combination of the two, it's always good to hear what others have in mind as a framework of sorts.
Below, you can check out resolutions from PokerStars' own Kenny Hallaert, Nick Walsh, and Sebastian Huber – plus, their thoughts on why taking up poker might be worthwhile for new players.
What are your poker New Year’s resolutions for 2026?
Kenny Hallaert: Not really any goals poker-wise. Mainly focusing on live poker. All EPT stops and the WSOP. More focused on quality over quantity.
Sebastian Huber: To try to get more deep runs in big field EPT/PokerStars Open main events and, again, aiming for a live trophy.
Nick Walsh: My NY resolution is to set another Spin & Go challenge (as a continuation on what we learned from the first NWTV ‘$50,000 Spin & Go Challenge’) which will live on my online content platforms, play more live cash (which I absolutely love but never make enough time for), and put some time in the lab on MTTs (which are my least studied format by far).
What about a non-poker New Year’s resolution?
Hallaert: Traveling a good bit outside of poker.
Huber: Same as every year: Finishing my 70.3 triathlon in May. Might add some other races too.
Walsh: My non-poker resolution is pretty hardcore this year: getting fit (new diet, gym, daily breath work, cold exposure/sauna protocols, etc.) and launching a UK-based Bloody Mary mix product within my new company, which we started at the end of 2025.
Why do you think poker might be a great New Year’s resolution for people?
Hallaert: I think it can be but it shouldn't necessarily be that. Try to find something you like to do and if poker is one of these things then that's great, but never force yourself to do that you're not 100% behind yourself.
I've learned a lot of life skills thanks to poker: Decision-making in general, especially trying to figure out if something is "+EV" to do. Also being able to make rational decisions, and to read people better (outside of poker) when engaging with them.
Poker is a great way to connect with people. Especially when playing live. Getting to know people from all sorts of ages, backgrounds, and cultures.
I never set myself any goals results wise in poker. I do have dreams but they are dependent on how the cards fall.
Huber: Discipline and patience, for example when it comes to studying, are the things that will improve a lot when you take poker seriously.
Walsh: I genuinely believe poker can be a great New Year’s resolution because іt rewards discipline, self-reflection, and long-term thinking, which are the same skills people try tо improve іn their real lives.
Unlike many hobbies, poker gives immediate feedback, sо you are constantly learning how well you manage risk, control emotion, and make decisions under pressure. It also encourages goal-setting and consistency, whether that іs studying a little each week, tracking results, оr improving mental game habits.
I believe poker іs not just a game, but a framework for building patience, resilience, and smarter decision-making over time. I love іt and, when others take іt seriously, they often join me іn feeling that way!
Additional images courtesy of Danny Maxwell/Eloy Cabacas/Rational Intellectual Holdings
