Mental Exhaustion of Poker - Psychology in Poker and Gambling

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Mental Exhaustion of Poker

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01-12-2017 , 11:47 PM

Oregon Rick

adept

Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 770

When I have a long day of poker it really wipes me out mentally. I feel like my brain has been used as a punching bag. Having moved myself on up from the micros, I am a pretty decent poker player currently playing 200NL and 400N.
I find that if I play 2 days in a row, it can have a negative impact on my game due to the mental exhaustion I feel from concentrating so hard on my opponents.
So, my question is...
What do you all do to cope with this mental exhaustion? How do you re-energize the ole brain?

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01-12-2017 , 11:54 PM

Alternate Identity

journeyman

Join Date: Jan 2017 Posts: 386

Stop and smell the roses. Literally.

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01-12-2017 , 11:58 PM

TreadLightly

Pooh-Bah

Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 3,709

take days off , seperate your sessions if you play zoom it's especially easy (play 1-2 hrs, take 15-30 min break , play 1-2 hrs etc) Perhaps change up your diet or exercise more.

I feel if you worked your way from micros to 200nl / 400nl you should probably be able to deal with fatigue by now though, no? Also you say if you play 2 days in a row you are exhausted but for most people I think in any area of life (office job / poker / physical job) you should be good to go after a good nights sleep , your body can and should adjust to essentially anything you throw at it.
gl

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01-13-2017 , 12:05 AM

BEANO52

adept

Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 1,031

[ ] N
[ ] V
[ ] G

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01-13-2017 , 12:20 AM

Oregon Rick

adept

Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 770

Quote:

Originally Posted by TreadLightly

I work full time, and my job requires a lot of climbing, crawling, and a whole lot of thinking. I play sometimes in the evening and on my days off. I suppose I may be somewhat tired when I play anyways. I do still find the game to be fairly mentally draining. I still love the game. I just want to be able to handle playing more without the worry of feeling so tired from playing.
I have pondered the idea of playing full time, but I think my fears of not being able to play enough due to being mentally wiped out keep me from making that move.
I am planning on getting an elyptical soon, so I can start getting some cardio in. Hopefully that will help.

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01-13-2017 , 12:26 AM

Howard Beale

Formerly red

Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 22,190

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oregon Rick

If it were me I wouldn't be surprised that I was mentally exhausted if I played so many hours online while having a full time job that requires physical activity AND a whole lot of thinking.

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01-13-2017 , 04:15 PM

onemoretimes

Pooh-Bah

Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 3,535

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oregon Rick

I work full time, and my job requires a lot of climbing, crawling, and a whole lot of thinking.

Are you a home inspector?

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01-13-2017 , 05:01 PM

Gustafson26

grinder

Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 525

My guess was a professional dwarf finder. Crafty little fellas.

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01-13-2017 , 07:16 PM

Oregon Rick

adept

Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 770

Quote:

Originally Posted by onemoretimes

Are you a home inspector?

I'm an electrician.

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01-13-2017 , 07:18 PM

#10

Oregon Rick

adept

Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 770

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gustafson26

My guess was a professional dwarf finder. Crafty little fellas.

LOL. That was pretty funny. I'll let you know if I find any.

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01-13-2017 , 07:35 PM

#11

whitemares

Pooh-Bah

Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 5,762

Quote:

Originally Posted by TreadLightly

take days off , seperate your sessions if you play zoom it's especially easy (play 1-2 hrs, take 15-30 min break , play 1-2 hrs etc) Perhaps change up your diet or exercise more.

These are probably the best things you can do, along with sleeping consistently.

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01-13-2017 , 08:35 PM

#12

KSCC

centurion

Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 125

Quote:

Originally Posted by whitemares

These are probably the best things you can do, along with sleeping consistently.

+1 again.. good, regular exercise helps immensely I feel.. especially good I find for tilt as well.. As i tilt bad.. either hitting the gym hard, going for a run round the park.. or even grabbing a couple 30kg dumbells and smashing out a few shoulder press.. prevents me from beating up the mrs

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01-13-2017 , 09:06 PM

#13

Oregon Rick

adept

Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 770

Quote:

Originally Posted by KSCC

All great to hear. I definitely plan on getting some cardio in on a regular basis. I am hoping to start within the next month as soon as my downstairs gets finished from some flooding I had.

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01-13-2017 , 10:27 PM

#14

KSCC

centurion

Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 125

Sorry to hear that bud.. another tip as daft as it may sound but keep to a healthy diet.. and stay hydrated.. sitting staring at a screen hours on end hammering coffee and energy drinks doesn't do you any favours..

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01-13-2017 , 10:29 PM

#15

Oregon Rick

adept

Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 770

Quote:

Originally Posted by KSCC

Thanks for the info. I really do need to start eating better. My wife is always getting on me about that. LOL

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01-13-2017 , 10:38 PM

#16

+rep_lol

banned

Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 14,900

play more tables at once --->
spend less time on each decision --->
suffer less fatigue --->
play longer hours --->
profit more

ez game

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01-14-2017 , 08:35 PM

#17

YouthBlood

grinder

Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 428

cocaine

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01-14-2017 , 10:08 PM

#18

chrisshiherlis

journeyman

Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 357

Quote:

Originally Posted by +rep_lol

play more tables at once --->
spend less time on each decision --->
suffer less fatigue --->
play longer hours --->
profit more

ez game

Yus. Dwelling overrated.
I switch formats.
Sleep V important.
Remember it's winter. Maybe SAD.

Do you feel grumpy?

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