Effects of Coffee - Page 2 - Psychology in Poker and Gambling

Can only speak from personal experience.

Had to quit my beloved espresso and green tea because it was messing up my stomach and giving me GERD. The GI doc said caffeine is a major, major cause.

But I was already beginning to suspect that caffeine was causing energy level fluctuations throughout the day. I'd randomly start yawning, feeling really sluggish, getting headaches. Basically needing to redose on caffeine--I was having withdrawals. It was messing up my mood too. Is it really ideal to feel shitty until you've had your caffeine fix?

Haven't had a drop of caffeine in 3+ months now and all those things went away and I routinely go 18+ hrs straight being awake with nary a yawn or feeling tired and I don't have too much idle time in between. I often get up at 4am, sometimes even earlier, and withing 15 mins I'm ready to work. Don't even really feel sleep intertia anymore.

I really really miss having a cup of good green tea or a homemade iced latte but I am 100% convinced I'm better off without caffeine. I will trade consistent energy levels with spiky ones and the concomitant effects on mood any day.

+1

What goes up must come down and the comedowns are not worth it. Caffeine is a drug and should be avoided just like any other (recreational) drug.

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07-25-2020 , 12:56 PM

#27

Mason Malmuth

Former Top Dog

Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 13,014

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrno1324

+1

What goes up must come down and the comedowns are not worth it. Caffeine is a drug and should be avoided just like any other (recreational) drug.

Hi mrno1324:

I agree that caffeine bothers some people and when that's the case, you can always drink decaf.

As fr me, I drink coffee all the time and the caffeine doesn't bother me at all.

Best wishes,
Mason

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07-25-2020 , 01:36 PM

#28

mrno1324

veteran

Join Date: Feb 2016 Posts: 3,055

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mason Malmuth

Do you drink it all the time because of the taste or because of the stimulant effect? Could you switch to decaf easily and without noticing much of a difference if you wanted?
Drinking decaf defeats the purpose imo, not sure why anyone would drink it tbh.

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07-25-2020 , 09:32 PM

#29

Mason Malmuth

Former Top Dog

Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 13,014

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrno1324

Hi mrno:

As part of my "job" I still work on book manuscripts and also do a lot of reading. So, 4 or 5 days a week I go to a coffee cafe, get a cup of coffee and do what I do for an hour or two. If it's late in the day, I always order decaf or a bottle of Perrier water.

As for taste, that's why I get the coffee, and I can't tell the difference between regular and decaf.

Best wishes,
Mason

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08-16-2020 , 10:11 PM

#30

valiantcalls

journeyman

Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 236

Quitting coffee/caffeine has actually conquered my gambling addiction. Turns out substance abuse goes hand in hand with it.

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09-03-2020 , 07:33 AM

#31

CoachBahman

stranger

Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 4

So happy to see my article sparked a discussion with so many different opinions and insights. Obviously I still stand behind my article but I'm always open to other perspectives and experiences. In the end of the day everybody is different, but I think in general caffeine is best to avoid and look for reasons why you need performance boosters in the first place. If you guys are interested in any other discussions about substances and their effects on poker, I am currently working on a course for a major poker school and would love to get as much insight as possible.

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