A-game and C-game

Your best focused play against your worst tired, tilted or distracted play.

Last updated October 16, 2026

What it means: Your A-game is how you play at your best; your C-game is the known mistakes you make when tired, tilted or distracted. Your B-game sits between them.
How it is calculated: Write down what your C-game looks like, such as calling too many 3-bets or playing on autopilot, so you can spot it during a session.
Worked example: A player whose A-game folds 5♣ 5♦ to an early-position 3-bet but whose C-game calls it loses about 1bb each time; over a month of tired sessions that adds up to more than any new line would win.
Why it matters: Raising the floor of your game usually earns more than raising the ceiling, because the ceiling only shows in a few spots.