[winky51]

Funny you post this. I saw it write when I was posting something similar. You are right. Working out is good for you relieving stress and makes your body create good chemicals that make you feel good.

I discovered something of the opposite. Today I was going to play in the local NL tournament for $65. I left work at 3:30 and on the highway there were 2 accidents blocking 2 lanes. Well a 70 minute trip took over 2 hours as I had to leave the highway and take side routes to get to the casino on time for the tournament. Of course everyone was slow. The 2 other highways had several major accidents and my temper was tested. I was trying to get there in time to register to get a good table away from the donks. So stressed out after being in traffic 2 hours I arrived. My instincts were saying "go home, your annoyed, just worked since 6am, and the traffic pissed you off, GO HOME JACKASS!". It was 5:30 PM then. Well I entered anyways and played bad. Not terrible like an idiot but bad in my timing, reading pots incorrectly, judging my opponents (which I pride myself on) and lost after an hour.

The week before on thanksgiving after having a happy relaxing thursday I played the same tournament and took 3rd not making any mistakes and reading my opponents dead on. Well no mistakes I could see.

So working out does help and stress does not. You should be in a relaxed mode to play. Excersize does that for you. Relieves stress. I was stressed out and my brain was not functioning properly so I lost early. No hands didnt help either but I didnt follow my instincts.

Every little thing helps and many players dont realize. There was an article on CNN about coffee. It increases short term memory efficiency. Orange juice does the same.

If you add all the little things up they can equal a lot.

2% you work out
2% you have coffee before the tournament
2% you got enough rest
2% you have no worries
2% you had great sex with the wife
2% your confidence is up because you won a tournament last night and played well.
2% you got to take your time in going to the tournament, easy ride, nice day.

Thats 7 little things. I gave them each a value of 2% which would mean you are playing 14% better today because of it. Yea it sounds cheesy but consider just one good play or one bad play in the tournament can make or break you.

My lesson learned, never play in a live tournament on a work day. So I am going this saturday instead.