Routine, Records, and Rest: Inside Benny Glaser’s SCOOP Mindset
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Four-time WSOP bracelet winner and multi-time Spring Championship of Online Poker champion Benny Glaser is no stranger to the pressure of high-stakes online series.
But with the 2025 SCOOP now underway on PokerStars, Glaser says he's taking a more measured approach than in years past - balancing preparation, recovery, and a realistic view of the grind ahead.
From SCOOP Enthusiast to Record-Setter
"I actually left [EPT] Monte Carlo a little early," Glaser explained. "I flew out [to Vancouver] on the 8th to try and get settled, get over the jet lag, and get ready on the other side of the world."
Over the years, Glaser has become one of the most consistent performers in PokerStars' flagship online festival. And while the thrill of competition still drives him, the hunger isn't quite what it once was.
"I do like trying to maintain the records"
"I do like trying to maintain the records," he admitted. "It's a little bit of a competitive thing, but I don't want it quite as much as I used to."
That shift in mindset has changed his approach to preparation. While he used to obsess over studying and scheduling, these days Glaser focuses on keeping his routine manageable, especially now that he's playing from a different time zone.
"I used to play SCOOP in the UK, but now it's my fourth year playing from Vancouver. It's very different," he said. "It's more of a wake up, immediately to try and prepare myself to grind. I grab five or ten minutes of daylight if I'm lucky, and start loading up tables while I eat breakfast."
Finding Balance in the Madness
That new rhythm has helped Glaser find a slightly healthier balance during a notoriously intense period on the poker calendar.
"[When I played in the UK] I could never get to sleep right after I finished," he said. "Even if I finished around 2 a.m. UK time, I'd still need a couple of hours to wind down, and let the adrenaline die down after a final table. Playing from Vancouver lets me finish earlier, decompress, and maybe even get outside for a bit."
With SCOOP leading directly into the World Series of Poker, Glaser treats the spring grind as part preparation, part performance.
"As a result, I do treat this period a bit more sort of strictly," says Glaser. "Especially if I'm trying for the leaderboards. It's a busy, stressful thing - I'm playing everything. It's a really important period, especially with the WSOP coming right after."
That includes the reintroduced SCOOP League, a fun twist for fans and PokerStars Team Pros, but not something Glaser is overly invested in.
"It's a bit of added fun. I'm friendly with the ambassadors, so it definitely adds an extra social element. Adds some excitement to SCOOP. But I try not to let it be a distraction."
All Roads Lead to Vegas
After SCOOP wraps up, Glaser will head straight into a full summer schedule at the WSOP in Las Vegas - another stretch of intense, near-daily play.
"It's every day. Ten hours on average. I almost take no days off," he said. "It's still exciting, of course, but it's tough."
Even with a full calendar ahead, Glaser remains grounded. He understands the mental and physical toll of nonstop poker, but also knows how to make it work on his terms.
"It can be tough with so many things going on. It can get a bit much. I'm more focused on my own results and performance and ignoring external factors."
