Champion of Poker

In the pursuit of profits at the poker table, many players neglect to take care of themselves and in essence, their play at the tables suffers because of it. If you are a poker player, you need to take care of the essentials of life and when you do so, it will help your poker game.

The first is getting the proper amount of rest. Many players tell me that they play poker for 24, 36, or even 48 hour or more at a time without sleeping. However, one thing I don’t hear is how much money they win or lose. Granted, there are players such as Phil Ivey that can do this at will and get away with it. However, Phil Ivey is on another planet in ability and is a champion of poker. You, Mr. recreational player, cannot really afford to do that. When you do not get the proper rest, you mind starts to dull, you do not pick up the same reads, and you can even miss opportunities at the table. You really need to get sufficient rest in order to play well. How much that is depends on you. Some people can work on 6 hours of rest without issue. Some need 8 to 10 hours. Whatever the amount of rest you need, take it.

Next, be sure that you are keeping yourself properly fed. Lack of food can lead to bad decision making, and even fatigue. Go eat a sensible meal when you are hungry. The game will likely not break, and if it does, it likely will not be due to your leaving. (Unless you are the fish at the table, and if that is the case, the game will reform when you get back. However, then you have other problems that eating food will not help.)

Make sure other needs of yours is met. If you are interested in going out to see a movie with some friends, do so. If you want to spend time with your family, do it. If you need to go have a night of wild sex with your partner, then do so. There are needs besides rest and food that if not met will ultimately wear on your game. I have found that if I am not doing the things I enjoy outside of poker, I tend to start to grow weary of poker as well.

Playing poker isn’t all about learning the right moves to make or winning pots. It is a total mind and body game. You must keep yourself in proper shape in order to play the game properly and succeed. Good luck to you at the tables.