Poker is lucky to have Kristen Foxen.
Known for her composure under pressure and fierce competitive drive, she has built a reputation as one of the most respected players in the game, admired by fans and peers alike.
In her exclusive conversation with PokerOrg, Foxen emphasizes that good decision-making, on and off the felt, has been central to her success, longevity, and mental well-being.
“Making good decisions has always been very important to me,” says Foxen. “Whether it’s, ‘What do I do tonight? Do I go out and get drunk at a bar with friends, or do I go to bed early? Maybe I could read a book or play a session online.’ I always try to choose the option that brings the most gains.
“For me, it’s all about having a mentality of self-improvement. I really love poker. I have so much fun playing poker. And I have so much fun with my husband, Alex. Simply being at home and going for a walk is very fulfilling to me.”
Watch the full episode above now or check below for links to the audio podcast.
How has Alex affected Kristen’s game and vice versa?
“It's very interesting to me that when Alex plays a hand badly, he never thinks, ‘I’m an idiot,’ or ‘What was I thinking?’ Instead, it’s, ‘I did this because of that,’ and then he moves on.
“I think that a lot of people, myself included, are going to bed thinking about that one hand played badly before falling asleep. Then the same hand when they wake up. That might stay with me for a week. Alex just doesn't experience that. And it's very, very interesting to me.
“He was in competitive sports from a young age. That mentality allows him just to play the game that he wants to play and never doubt himself. And it's not as though he plays some perfect game and never does something that he might take back. But he doesn't dwell on that aspect of it whatsoever.
“There's so much positive in that perspective. It is such a gift to be able to do that. In today's poker world, a lot of people are not necessarily even just harsh on their peers, but then it kind of influences you to be hard on yourself. That can be a tricky thing, being able to criticize yourself, but in a way that allows you to move on and not bring that emotional baggage to another decision.
“I’ve learned a lot from watching how aggressive he is at the table. If you’ve ever played with him, it’s pretty remarkable. He's unlike any player I think I've probably ever played with.
He’s opened my eyes to seeing the game in a little bit of a different light from the standpoint of being aggressive. And Alex has made me appreciate the beauty of the game. But the number one thing I’ve learned from Alex is his winner's mentality. He's such a competitor and always believes he can win.”
‘What has Alex learned from me? That’s an interesting question.’
“One time he wrote me a hand history, and said, ‘What do you think? I don't know about this hand. I three-bet King Jack suited in a spot.’ My response was, ‘You don't have to three-bet every hand preflop. You can just call a raise.’
“I was sort of joking there, but not really. There was a period of time when the aggression was just so much. So maybe we found a little bit of an in-between space to meet in the middle.
“We both have been really hard workers at our games. I think people would be probably surprised to know Alex will come home from a $100K event and register a $109 online. He just wants to play and doesn't really care what he's playing for. I've always been that way too.
“But I think that’s an interesting question. Now I want to ask Alex what he’s learned the most from me.”
The Interview — Kristen Foxen
Highlights from our exclusive in-depth conversation with Kristen Foxen include:
- Her real feelings about finishing 13th in the 2024 WSOP Main Event
- Regaining her confidence on the way to a $2,000,000+ year in 2025
- How she stays mentally healthy year-round
- The key to managing the pressure of big final tables
- What she’s learned from husband Alex and what he’s learned from her
- Why finding joy in the struggle is vital to growth
- Why she rarely engages on social media
- How she helped flip the script on perceptions of women in high-stakes poker
- And much more…
Watch Kristen Foxen’s full exclusive interview with PokerOrg’s Craig Tapscott in the video above, or catch it on Spotify or Apple podcasts.
Check out more in-depth interviews with some of poker’s biggest names below, including Chris Moneymaker, Maria Ho, and Dan ‘Jungleman’ Cates.
