Has anyone experimented with fasting and poker? Some advocates of fasting claim it is great for mental work. I have fasted for various reasons with great results but have been cautious about mixing poker with fasting.

Terrible idea imo.

Why place an extra stress on your body while playing?

I don't think it does put extra stress on your body. While I am fasting I usually feel amazing, strong, capable. This is after your body has switched to a ketogenic state, obv.

I do this a lot and am not sure what the net effect is on my game. I feel like I focus pretty well when I have no food in my stomach and can play longer sessions. For some reason I never get hungry when I'm playing either, so if I roll in on no food I'm going to be on no food for the whole session. That being said, there are noticeable life negatives associated with not eating obviously. After finishing a session where I haven't eaten in a long time I feel like a zombie and it almost always leads to having no energy the next day. So I guess overall I think a person is way better off eating light, healthy stuff while/before playing.

sidenote: Performance wise, I feel like eating a huge meal before playing is the worst thing a person can do.

I feel better overall when I follow paleo diet and/or fast in the morning til late afternoon. My mind is sharp and clear and I feel more energetic. My .02c

What you need when playing poker is not fasting..... Its rather a good beer, a whiskey, a nice cigarette, nice music and confidence in yourself. You don't have to be a super genius to play poker but should only the right mindset.

Terrible idea if I don't eat anything I feel tired and malnourished and subsequently fail to concentrate fully. I play best after a good solid meal + a coffee then I'm ready

I hope this is a level. In general, it's a good idea to drink something while playing, but definitely not alcohol.

After adjusting to intermittent fasting, I can't focus nearly as well after eating as I can while fasted. IMO it is a great idea.

Things like fasting or eating a vegan diet have done a lot for mental clarity. You can reach a higher level of thought and consciousness which is wonderful for life but when in this state poker, gambling, and money in general become less meaningful. It will definitely impact your winnings, in which direction kind of depends on the individual and where you are at.

I don't think it's a level and I'm not sure he's wrong either. I don't play drunk frequently and when I do my results have been mixed. But his point, as far as I can read into it, is that poker can be all about having the right frame of mind and emotional contentedness. If you're unhappy or pissy, this can manifest itself in your play. These things that he lists are meant to relax you, make you happy, and that may very well cause you play to well.

**** that. You have a serious poker addiction if you are stopping eating glorious food because you want to play better.

Having a bag of nuts whilst you play is mega +ev

I heard if you stop eating, you become a Portuguese poker prodigy over night. Seriously, keep eating and playing poker... it's not going to do anything drastic for you except hurt your stomach.

There is some definite enlightenment that occurs when fasting that can add a significant edge. I heard a rumor that Phil Ivey doesn't eat the entire WSOP just to add to his game. He couldn't play this year because of some stomach issue, forcing him to eat to maintain. With food he figured he was dead money, so he refused to play.

I would like to try this. Will update once I get the willpower to attempt to fast for a week+. (I need to lose some weight, this won't kill me.)

i also need to take a week long fast. i think my record is 3 days, it was a pretty incredible experience.

The idea of a fast can be just as mentally beneficial as physically. What you have done is taken a complex idea of rations and nutrients and turned them into a drink. You body will have adverse effects, but the human body is resilient and adapts rapidly. This process can cleanse your mind and clear sight ahead. Half the battle is the realization that you are going to do something drastic. The process helps you reset and realize what you are trying to accomplish. I would recommend this with lower stakes and or less volume first couple days because of your bodies reactions. Good luck!

What do you mean by this?


Also I highly recommend fasting for anyone who routinely ingests toxins (drinker, smoker, drug user). Could not recommend it more, from a harm prevention perspective.

It sounds like he is referring to juice fasting, while I presume you're talking about strict water fasting. If you're not emaciated, water fasting absolutely will not harm you and can be very beneficial, assuming you would benefit from losing at least five pounds.

Ya i was talking juice fasting i could never go cold turkey hahahah!!!

I always got my bag of nuts with me while playing. I just tend not to play with them.

Fasting is rather easy if you have something to occupy your mind.

For example, when I was younger I was into videogames. Whenever I got a new videogame I was absolutely consumed by it. My mind was too busy to care about food and I could go days easily without food.

Find something to keep your mind busy enough and fasting is a cake walk.

lol, not eating will totally distract me and put me on tilt.

I'm looking to start a 60 day water fast (with exceptions)-until the end of 2011. The exceptions will be: up to one day per week eating (preferably when on vacation) holidays- (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah), social occasions. So, I will allow myself ~12-15 days to eat normally for the rest of the year.

I need to lose 60 lbs, and would rather do this over a short period rather than over a very long period.
(70% during the fasting period, the rest more gradually afterwards)

I would say I have a very healthy relationship with food and my weight gain was extremely gradual (we're talking over 8+ years).

So, I have no fear about developing anorexia or binging after the fast is over. I don't have those disorders.

After the fast is over, I will resume normal eating, or possibly restrict 200-500 calories per day in order to lose the last 10-15 lbs, assuming I lose about 40-45lbs during the 60 day fast with the exceptions outlined above.

I'm looking for someone to do this with me, who is at least 30lbs above their ideal weight. We can make periodic youtube videos and/or check in with each other on Skype.

Please, no trolling about the "risks" involved, I have plenty of body fat to convert into energy, I'm not going to die, and if I feel seriously ill at any time-- I will eat.

I've grinded 100k+ hands in one week before, this is the way I like to do things. All or nothing, then I can relax and do things in a normal, measured way. I plan to take the extra time saved from eating, cooking, etc and use that to play poker.

If you're interested in starting this with me please send me a PM.

**** it, I'm going to Sizzler and having some chicken wings, salad with copious amounts of bleu cheese and bacon bits, and an ice cream sundae.

http://www.explosm.net/comics/2536/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minneso...ion_Experiment

not worth the side effects imo.