something (safe and legal) better than booze for this?
 

my biggest leak live is just playing too many hands. i know i should have more discipline, but i just don't. the players aren't good enough to fold enough to make playing more hands worthwile (as they were in some of the internet games i played in), and often i forget that, so...

when i play live i always drink. if the money matters, i take 3 or so shots before getting into the casino to make me patient for that first hour while i get reads. i think this may be a poor way to deal with a short attention span, so i got to thinking about ADHD and how adderal, (basically meth lite) as a stimulant rather than a depressant (like booze) helps kids. no, obviously im not takin adderal or meth, but would large amounts of coffee (another stimulant) have the same effect? anyone else do light drinking or maybe take caffine in pill or coffee form when playing live?

any tricks in general to lower my VPIP live?

fim

Re: something (safe and legal) better than booze for this?
 

[ QUOTE ]
my biggest leak live is just playing too many hands. i know i should have more discipline, but i just don't. the players aren't good enough to fold enough to make playing more hands worthwile (as they were in some of the internet games i played in), and often i forget that, so...

when i play live i always drink. if the money matters, i take 3 or so shots before getting into the casino to make me patient for that first hour while i get reads. i think this may be a poor way to deal with a short attention span, so i got to thinking about ADHD and how adderal, (basically meth lite) as a stimulant rather than a depressant (like booze) helps kids. no, obviously im not takin adderal or meth, but would large amounts of coffee (another stimulant) have the same effect? anyone else do light drinking or maybe take caffine in pill or coffee form when playing live?

any tricks in general to lower my VPIP live?

fim

[/ QUOTE ]

Probably developing a "spine" instead of relying on
tricks, is the best long term course.

Re: something (safe and legal) better than booze for this?
 

[ QUOTE ]
my biggest leak live is just playing too many hands. i know i should have more discipline, but i just don't. the players aren't good enough to fold enough to make playing more hands worthwile (as they were in some of the internet games i played in), and often i forget that, so...

when i play live i always drink. if the money matters, i take 3 or so shots before getting into the casino to make me patient for that first hour while i get reads. i think this may be a poor way to deal with a short attention span, so i got to thinking about ADHD and how adderal, (basically meth lite) as a stimulant rather than a depressant (like booze) helps kids. no, obviously im not takin adderal or meth, but would large amounts of coffee (another stimulant) have the same effect? anyone else do light drinking or maybe take caffine in pill or coffee form when playing live?

any tricks in general to lower my VPIP live?

fim

[/ QUOTE ]

This is no doubt a controversial subject to some, but as adults let enter it with no bias.

Firstly, alcohol is a very 'crude' drug and when playing poker you should take care with it. Drink too much and you could blow your bankroll, by either over-confidence, indifference, or both.

Please don't be stupid and take high doses of Caffeine pills or Red Bull. In high doses these are potentially dangerous and long term use of high doses of both can lead to similar heart problems as use of stimulants like Speed and Coke. (granted, it is usually lesser extent ... but still)

I particularly hate people abusing "legal" drugs but at the same time saying they'd never touch an illegal drug. All drugs have to be respected and researched before use, just because something is legal doesn't mean its safe.

That being said ...

Amphetamines like Speed and Ritalin (one illegal, the other should be illegal to hand it out to so many kids these days!) are extremely effective not only for poker but for virtually any other acitivity that requires concentration. (after all, they do give it to fighter pilots)

But, you don't want to be taking Speed because it's highly addictive not in a Crack/Smack way, but in that you'll find if you take it, it will help you work/play/study and you'll tend to start relying on it.

Not only that but Speed is a particularly dirty drug and there is some research that suggests it and Ecstacy may permanently damage parts in your brain and that long term use could leave you permanently depressed. (this is bad, depression is terrible)

I know you said "legal" but really, Ritalin isn't that much different from Speed, and some people misuse Ritalin to get a similar effect, don't think because something is 'legal' and given to 'monster children' that it is safe. (not everything that's illegal is evil, not everything that is legal is holy)

What I'm trying to say is stay away from the Amphetamines, it's just not worth it for so many reasons.

Another choice that is legal is Valium. Taken in small doses it'll relax you, larger doses are effective for sleeping (say the night before a big tournament) and in the morning you'll feel totally refreshed like you had the best sleep of your life.

As for grinding it out however, Valium isn't the answer. It's not something you want to take every day, this was a big problem in the 50's with "mother's little helper", and a little known fact about Valium, if you do get dependant on it, it's actually more dangerous than Heroin to quit 'cold turkey' as Benzodiazapenes can send you into seizures if you suddenly withdraw, (you have to 'taper' withdraw) although clearly you don't want to become dependant on any drug.

In a nutshell, I know of no drug that you can successfully take on a daily basis to help with your game except for water. (a nice bottle of cold water, drunk whole within about 10 minutes is very soothing)

To close, have a bottle of water, if you get anxious at the table, go for a little walk, try some deep breathing for a few minutes with your eyes closed (just go to the bathroom if you are worried people will look at you - although in some you may not want to breathe!) it really clears the mind.

Good luck with your game, watch the booze mate! [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Re: something (safe and legal) better than booze for this?
 

Never drink and play poker, unless you plan to sit at my table. It is way -EV.

Moderate doses of caffiene will enhance attention and concentration. High doses will cause anxiety, which will decrease concentration and focus.

I would avoid amphetamines or Ritalin (methylphenidate). While these are very useful for those with ADHD (once properly diagnosed), they can be drugs of abuse, and should not be taken without rx.

Re: something (safe and legal) better than booze for this?
 

I dont like caffeine because it tends to make you fidgety.
Why not try medidation before you play, its not the easiest way but healthier then drugs and will probably help your game more.