In recent years, Leon Sturm has established himself as one of the young players capable of making a mark in the high roller scene. In this episode of the GTO Lab podcast, Jonathan Jaffe delves into his journey from online play and streaming under the nickname “Remulus” to regular confrontations with significantly more experienced opponents. The conversation offers insights into preparing for poker when technical skill is no longer the main differentiator among players.
From Online Tables to the Biggest Games
At the start of the interview, Sturm talks about how his transition into the high roller environment wasn't the result of a single breakthrough or an extraordinary win. Rather, it was a gradual increase in self-imposed demands and confronting the reality of strong player fields. As one of the younger players at the tables, he quickly realized that age and talent alone are insufficient—consistent thinking and adaptability are key.
He admits that initially, he felt the difference between himself and older players primarily on a psychological level. Being the youngest at the table meant constantly confronting doubts, comparisons, and personal expectations. This experience forced him to work on his mental resilience sooner rather than later.
GTO Isn't the Answer to Everything
A key theme of the podcast is Sturm’s perception of GTO strategies. He sees solvers as providing an important framework, but not as the answer to every situation. He warns that players who try to memorize specific outputs without understanding their reasons struggle to react in real, non-standard spots.
Sturm emphasizes that the goal of studying shouldn't be to “play like a solver,” but to understand why a solver favors certain lines. Only when a player comprehends all the math and logic behind the final outputs can these principles be transferred to live settings, where other factors like table dynamics, psychology, and situational pressure come into play.
He openly admits that his studying isn't always well-structured. On the contrary, he talks about the tendency to get distracted by too many details and low EV spots. Gradually, however, he realizes that effective improvement requires clearly defined study blocks and selecting topics that deserve attention.
He also warns of the risk of being overwhelmed by various opinions. Too many external voices can lead to a loss of confidence in one's own decision-making. According to Sturm, it is crucial to build a personal filter and work only with a limited number of sources that one understands and trusts.
Mental Pressure and Self-Criticism
A significant part of the interview addresses the mental aspect of the game. Sturm openly discusses anxiety, internal pressure, and intense self-criticism, especially during demanding tournaments. He admits that comfort at the table isn't a given for him and that poker often triggers “fight-or-flight” responses in him. The difference between the best players and the rest, he believes, isn't the absence of stress but the ability to manage it. He understands that long-term progress requires working on mental conditioning, routine, and self-care outside of poker.
He does not hide that he seeks a balance between poker and life beyond it. He talks about returning to studying, needing social interaction, spending time in nature, and limiting digital overload. Poker, he argues, cannot be the sole pillar of one's identity; otherwise, each failure impacts personal well-being too deeply.
This episode of GTO Lab offers a realistic view of modern poker without illusions of shortcuts. It shows that in the era of solvers, the ability to think independently and handle mental pressure still reigns:
More from the GTO Lab Podcast
Orpen Kisacikoglu: Solvers Provide Quick Answers, But Take Away the Thinking Process
Alex Ponakovs: Why Independent Thinking is More Important Than Blindly Following Solvers
Nick Petrangelo: In $100k Events There Aren't Weak Players Anymore, So There's More Work to Do
Daniel Negreanu: Being at the Top of Poker for Years is Hard Work, Not Luck
Fedor Holz: I Used to Want Wins, Titles, and Money. Today I Want Happiness
Sources – Podcast GTO Lab, Flickr, PokerNews
