Stimulants when gambling: Do they help or hurt your game?

nasty bent gorilla · May 26, 2026

How do everyday stimulants affect your mindset and bankroll at the tables or slots.

Do you notice that you play differently, make riskier bets, or pull longer gambling sessions when you use everyday stimulants like caffeine, nicotine, or chocolate (theobromine)?

Do you use them to stay sharp, or avoid them completely because they impair your play?

DPoker33 · May 26, 2026

Moderation should be observed when drinking coffee, eating chocolate, or consuming any other stimulant. I didn’t used to consume much of any of these things when I was gambling, and I don’t smoke either, which in my opinion is always a habit to be avoided... Sometimes I play poker while eating cookies and drinking tea, but in moderation. Good luck to you!

nasty bent gorilla · May 26, 2026

DPoker33 said:
Sometimes I play poker while eating cookies and drinking tea,

So you admit to using performance enhancing cookies and tea during the Casino Weekly games? It's all starting to make sense.

DPoker33 · May 26, 2026

nasty bent gorilla said:
So you admit to using performance enhancing cookies and tea during the Casino Weekly games? It's all starting to make sense.

Yeah, sometimes the cookies and tea are great, other times they're pretty bad, lol (JK)!

bol · May 26, 2026

For me caffeine is a double-edged sword. A normal amount can definitely help me stay focused during long poker sessions, especially late at night, but too much starts pushing me toward impatient and more impulsive decisions. I notice I play faster, bluff more aggressively and sometimes convince myself to chase losses longer than I normally would.

Nicotine is similar in a way сause some people say it keeps them calm and concentrated, but I’ve also seen players turn into absolute tilt machines the moment they’re overstimulated.

Slots are probably even more dangerous with stimulants because they already trigger that “just one more spin” mentality. Add caffeine or nicotine on top and sessions can last way longer than planned without even realizing it.

So I wouldn’t say I avoid them completely, but moderation matters a lot if bankroll discipline is the goal.

CNXRegie · May 26, 2026

I’d have some kind of energy drink, water, some chips, and what I’ve found to be a better stimulant than coffee — an apple.

nasty bent gorilla · May 26, 2026

bol said:
Nicotine is similar in a way сause some people say it keeps them calm and concentrated, but I’ve also seen players turn into absolute tilt machines the moment they’re overstimulated.

Yeah, nicotine is no joke, I used to micro and mega dose tablets; constant small amounts made me more confident in arguments and more aggressive in poker. Keeping your blood vessels narrowed for long periods is also not clever.

I never gambled on a mega dose as it chilled me out.

Ruslan L · May 27, 2026

I try to limit myself, although sometimes it's hard. Especially when it comes to coffee or sweets. But without a cup of coffee, starting the game is contraindicated for me because I will definitely fall asleep during the next break.

nasty bent gorilla · May 28, 2026

Ruslan L said:
I try to limit myself, although sometimes it's hard. Especially when it comes to coffee or sweets. But without a cup of coffee, starting the game is contraindicated for me because I will definitely fall asleep during the next break.

Absolutely, crashing during a game is a nightmare!

Contraindicated is a new word for me, will be using liberally!

Sunz of Beaches · May 29, 2026

Me personally I don't drink coffee at all no matter if I play poker or not. I rarely use any stimulants anyway in everyday live.

DPoker33 · May 29, 2026

Sunz of Beaches said:
Me personally I don't drink coffee at all no matter if I play poker or not. I rarely use any stimulants anyway in everyday live.

I think the best stimulant is our own mind! Good luck to you!

Lodestone · May 29, 2026

Selling your extra adderal to the regs at the table is EV+

nasty bent gorilla · May 30, 2026

Lodestone said:
Selling your extra adderal to the regs at the table is EV+

Maybe a little unethical. Probably has higher ROI than GTO.

R.Holynskyi · May 31, 2026

I avoid things that negatively affect my game. I try to play focused and sometimes a cup or two of coffee helps me with that. But I always know when the third cup will be too much. Honestly, plain cold water with lemon can be just as invigorating as coffee.

Rost · Jun 2, 2026

I often drink green tea. It helps me maintain concentration and invigorates me very well. I rarely drink coffee. In extreme cases, when I really want to sleep.

dreamer13 · Jun 3, 2026

Caffeine blocks adenosine receptors, reducing fatigue. This helps maintain focus during long gaming sessions.

Rosemaryyy · Jun 3, 2026

nasty bent gorilla said:
How do everyday stimulants affect your mindset and bankroll at the tables or slots.

Do you notice that you play differently, make riskier bets, or pull longer gambling sessions when you use everyday stimulants like caffeine, nicotine, or chocolate (theobromine)?

Do you use them to stay sharp, or avoid them completely because they impair your play?

For me, moderation is the key. A reasonable amount of caffeine can help maintain focus during long sessions, especially in tournaments that last several hours. But too much can have the opposite effect—making me impatient, overconfident, or more likely to force marginal spots.
I've also noticed that stimulants can make it easier to play longer than planned, which isn't always a good thing. Once fatigue sets in, decision quality can drop even if you still feel alert. That's why I try to stick to a routine, stay hydrated, and take breaks rather than relying too heavily on caffeine or other stimulants.
Ultimately, bankroll management and discipline have a much bigger impact on results than any stimulant. The goal is to stay focused without letting excitement or fatigue influence your decisions." ♠️☕🃏

nasty bent gorilla · Jun 5, 2026

Rost said:
I often drink green tea. It helps me maintain concentration and invigorates me very well.

Yes, green tea is my preference. Combined with a few scoops of creatine, a very powerful uplifting effect.

makisaa · Jun 14, 2026

No, I wouldn' t consume such things, I prefer a game fun and that is all!

ironduke11 · Jun 14, 2026

caffeine may block fatigue in the short term , but the caffeine crash may not be worth it on the otherside...

moderation is always a good thing.
beer makes me play aggressive, i usually save it for the final table bluffing...

Igor G · Jun 15, 2026

I try to abstain from alcohol, although sometimes I play while drinking beer. But I don't take any energy drinks or stimulants. Although sometimes I can have a cup of tea or coffee

Stimulants when gambling: Do they help or hurt your game?

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