New Poker Book ‘The Poker Powered Brain’ By Lena Evans Features WSOP Champs & Poker Hall of Famers
A new poker book hits the shelves today!
The Poker Powered Brain: Play the Game. Train Your Brain. was written by Lena Evans, a two-time WSOP Circuit ring winner and founder of the women-centric group Poker League of Nations. Not only that, she used her network to enlist the help of four World Series of Poker Main Event champions, four World Poker Tour champions, six World Series of Poker Hall of Fame inductees, two Women in Poker Hall of Fame inductees, and four WSOP Women’s Champions.
The tournament-focused book, which you can learn more about on its website, collaborates with heavy hitters including Patrik Antonius, Kristen Foxen, Barry Greenstein, Lexy Gavin-Mather, Bernard Lee, Vanessa Hellebuyck, Phil Hellmuth, Maria Ho, Linda Johnson, Jeff Madsen, Chris Moneymaker, Elliot Roe, Greg Raymer, Marsha Wolak, Lara Eisenberg, and Brian Rast.
Here is how the book is described:
We explore how playing poker can enhance cognitive functions such as memory, attention, decision-making, and problem-solving, and why these skills can lead to a more dynamic life. This book features insights from professionals in both the poker industry and the medical field as they share personal experiences and inspire others to try their hand at poker.
Playing poker can lead to positive changes in cognitive abilities. Scientific evidence supports that poker can benefit the brain by enhancing executive functions, improving emotional regulation, and reducing stress. We will delve into these findings and help you understand how to apply them to your life, both at the poker table and beyond!
“For our first week on Amazon, between May 1-7, buyers will have the opportunity to win a free private lesson with one of the collaborators,” Evans told PokerNews. “The book will also be part of event packages, especially aligned with the mission of encouraging mental fitness for women and older adults.”
She added: “The goal is to make the book more than just something to read—it is part of a larger movement to spotlight poker as a powerful, enjoyable tool for personal growth and cognitive wellness!”
Click here to see 'The Poker Powered Brain' on Amazon.
Q&A with Lena Evans
Lena Evans first learned to play poker in her mid-forties in California after being introduced by a partner who was deeply passionate about the game. What started as a casual social activity soon evolved into something more meaningful.
“I became fascinated by poker's intellectual challenge—how it exercises memory, focus, strategic thinking, and emotional regulation,” she told PokerNews. “The more I played, the more I realized that poker was more than entertaining me; it actively supported my brain health and cognitive development. Poker became a form of mental training that helped me stay sharp, emotionally aware, and intellectually engaged.”
Evans recently sat down with PokerNews for a more in-depth Q&A.
PokerNews: When and why did you decide to write this book?
Lena Evans: In 2021, an unexpected opportunity presented: I was invited to give a TEDx talk. I wanted to speak on an unusual and intriguing subject, so I chose "Why poker is good for you and your brain." Preparing for that talk pushed me to learn more about what I had already touched on to explore the game's cognitive, emotional, and neurological benefits.
The overwhelmingly positive response to the TEDx talk motivated me to explore this idea further, which inspired me to write the book. I wanted to expand on the ideas I shared on stage and offer a more detailed, practical guide to how poker can be used for mental fitness and emotional growth. It felt important to share the intellectual benefits and how poker can help individuals of all ages, particularly as we age, maintain mental acuity.
Why is this particular topic of interest to you?
In preparing for my TEDx talk and subsequently for the book, I dug deeper into the science behind poker’s mental and emotional benefits. The experience made me realize how powerful and underappreciated this game is as a tool for brain health, especially as we age. As I age, I have become increasingly aware of the importance of maintaining mental acuity, not only for myself but especially for older adults and women.
"It is an enjoyable, social, and empowering way to stimulate the brain, build emotional resilience, and stay mentally vibrant. This book is my way of sharing that possibility with others."
Of the six million people worldwide diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, women make up nearly 66%—yet they remain underrepresented in conversations about brain health and cognitive engagement. I’m working to change that, in part, by bringing poker into the spotlight as a tool for mental stimulation and resilience.
Alongside my dear friend Maria Shriver—founder of the Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement, which is leading the charge in research and prevention—we are championing brain health and advocating for lifelong cognitive engagement, especially for women. As both a senior and a woman who founded the world's largest women's poker organization, Poker League of Nations, I am particularly passionate about encouraging seniors and women to engage in activities that challenge the brain and build emotional resilience.
Poker offers precisely that. It is an enjoyable, social, and empowering way to stimulate the brain, build emotional resilience, and stay mentally vibrant. This book is my way of sharing that possibility with others.
What was the most challenging part about writing this book?
The most challenging part of writing this book was not the research or the ideas—it was translating the richness of poker’s impact on cognitive health into something accessible and engaging for a broad audience. I wanted to strike the right balance between scientific insight and personal experience, ensuring the content was relatable without losing the depth of the message.
Poker can seem overwhelming to newcomers, so weaving in the personal experiences and stories that illustrate poker's mental and emotional benefits took time and careful reflection. I wanted readers to feel inspired, to see poker not just as a game, but as a potential catalyst for positive change in their cognitive health and overall well-being.
Will there be any sort of opportunities for folks to get a book at the WSOP or upcoming stops? Any sort of activities planned?
Yes, absolutely! I just returned from the East Coast, where we had the first live event with the book! Before the book launch, we had an online pre-sale with giveaways and special promotions for our pre-sale readers.
My collaborators and I will be hosting book signings and Meet-and-Greets where readers can pick up a copy, ask questions, and chat about the ideas behind the book. It’s a great chance to connect one-on-one to discuss the themes of the book—brain health, emotional resilience, and poker strategy—in an informal setting. Details and dates will be announced as they are confirmed, but if you are attending the WSOP or major poker events, there will definitely be ways to engage with the book and the broader conversation we are sparking.
Visit The Poker Powered Brain Website here!
