Things to do while playing poker

RainDog · #1 08-14-2005, 08:23 AM

Just wondering what most of you do while playing if anything. Recently, I've begun listening to language cds (easy enough to download in p2p networks) rather than letting my playlist run on random as I normally do. I mean hey, why not learn a valuable skill other than poker with all this time spent. I actually believe it keeps me more alert and focused for the game as well. I'm making a pledge to become semi proficient in as many languages as possible. Just thought I'd throw this idea your way. Lets create an elite multi-lingual league of poker players! hehe.

Anyhow, other things I've tried doing while playing poker:

1. Watching movies - I'm still able to play a winning game 4-tabling, but it certainly affects my winrate. However, it also delays burnout for me so it's not entirely a bad idea as long as it's not an "all the time" thing. However, subtitled movies are not recommended. Tried this the other day.

2. Playing guitar - Tried this several times. More pain than it's worth

3. Talking on the phone - For some reason this is more distracting to me than anything else. I do my best to ignore my phone rings these days.

4. Chatting online - not as bad as being on the phone, however it's annoying to me because the site that I play on forces windows to the front when it's my turn. I have no overlap, but this still shifts my typing to the chat box on the active window making it difficult to type coherently for the most part and leaving lots of mischat in the poker windows.

4. Eating - I manage this well enough. Enough room in my lap for a plate and a mouse pad.

5. Surfing the internet, reading 2+2 etc. - Surfing isn't too distracting, but reading strategy forums where I actually have to think about various things can certainly affect my game concentration.

5. Drinking - Up to about 4 beers seems to placate me that it actually seems to help. However, more than 4 can be entirely detrimental (except for heads up possibly where it can help to be insane).

6. Looking at porn - shifts from a casual interest to logging off the poker client. Not recommended.

7. Sleeping - Heh, fallen asleep a few times on accident at the tables. Also not recommended. Go to Bed...

So what do you guys do? Concentrate on just your game or mix in a few other activities?

Overdrive · #2 08-14-2005, 11:15 AM

I like to try and stay focused on the game at hand, so the only other thing I have running is Sirius radio online which I like to listen to while playing.

#3 08-14-2005, 11:24 AM

drink a cup of coffee - smoke a cigarette - drink a cup of coffee - smoke ....

herk · #4 08-14-2005, 11:36 AM

Big mug of green tea (just the right amount of caffiene and still really really good for you), old Seinfeld reruns, or some very mellow streaming ambient or jazz. Anything to keep my spirits up without getting distracting.

smb394 · #5 08-14-2005, 11:42 AM

Just music if 4-tabling, music+internet if 1 or 2 tabling.

#6 08-19-2005, 10:37 AM

I would usually just have hot tea and listen to music. BUt I really like the language idea. I am starting to learn Japanese, and now I am going to study while playing poker. Great idea!

Hornacek · #7 08-19-2005, 10:45 AM

4 tabling, I usually will play MVP Baseball or Madden o6 at the same time... just 1 player though, so I can pause. If I'm 2-tabling, I'll play Madden against my roommate, and make him wait when I have big poker decisions to make [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img].

Once a week I fold laundry and iron while playing as well.

gildwulf · #8 08-19-2005, 11:14 AM

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2. Playing guitar - Tried this several times. More pain than it's worth

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The mental image of trying to 4-table while playing guitar is hilarious!

Sometimes I play electric piano in between hands if it's really slow. It's right next to my desk and I have a slidey chair so I can just give it a push and start playing a little blues or something while people figure out what they're going to do.