Online Poker Has Made Me Pavlov's Dog

Gutshot Gus

Gutshot Gus

Legend
Platinum Level
Joined
Oct 15, 2021
Total posts
1,320
Awards
6
Poker Chips
706
Casino Coins
0
  • #1
Ivan Pavlov repeatedly rang a bell right before giving food to the dogs.
The dog's learned to associate the sound of the bell with food.
They got to the point that they would salivate if the bell was rung without food.

Pavolvian conditioning is a process where an animal or human learns to associate a neutral signal with a biological reflex.

Playing online poker the breaks are almost always at xx:55 past the hour.
This is when you stop and go to the bathroom and pee.
I have played so much online poker and taking those xx:55 breaks that now I always have to go at xx:55 whether or not I'm playing poker.

Online Poker Has Made Me Pavlov's Dog.
 
  • Like
  • Haha
Reactions: puzzlefish, PokerPete, Station_Master and 3 others
PokerPete

PokerPete

RIP Logic, Sanity, and Democracy
Loyaler
Joined
Jan 10, 2007
Total posts
21,633
Awards
1
Poker Chips
1,596
Casino Coins
0
  • #2
clock.gif


7DC61F8A0E033D8C350555E93D4F303A507070DA
 
elflake

elflake

Rock Star
Platinum Level
Joined
May 28, 2018
Total posts
276
Awards
2
US
Poker Chips
351
Casino Coins
35
  • #3
I have a large medical urine collection jug that I keep by me when playing....
 
Nameless14

Nameless14

Rock Star
Platinum Level
Joined
Jun 17, 2026
Total posts
481
AO
Poker Chips
175
Casino Coins
70
  • #4
😂That's actually hilarious, and I can believe it. After enough tournaments, those :55 breaks become so automatic that your brain just says, "Bathroom time," even when there's no poker client open. It's funny how routines can condition us like that. At least this habit is a lot healthier than punting off a stack five minutes before the break! 😅
 
  • Like
Reactions: PokerPete
F

fundiver199

Legend
Loyaler
Joined
Jun 3, 2019
Total posts
17,048
Awards
1
Poker Chips
1,275
Casino Coins
0
  • #5
I cant always hold it to the break, or at least I do not want to. So I sometimes make a quick toilet visit and sit out for a few hands. Unless you are playing heads-up or shorthanded, its usually not that big of a deal :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Andyreas and PokerPete
Mantinhoo

Mantinhoo

Rock Star
Bronze Level
Joined
Apr 24, 2023
Total posts
421
LT
Poker Chips
373
Casino Coins
5
  • #6
Haha, that's actually a pretty good example of Pavlovian conditioning. 😂 After enough sessions, your brain probably just learned that xx:55 = break time. It's funny how poker can train habits completely unrelated to the game itself. I bet there are plenty of regular grinders whose internal clock is synced to the tournament break schedule.
 
  • Like
Reactions: PokerPete
martinoni

martinoni

Visionary
Platinum Level
Joined
Jan 20, 2022
Total posts
656
BR
Poker Chips
977
Casino Coins
15
  • #7
Hahahaha but it cannot be bad at all hahaha
 
Gutshot Gus

Gutshot Gus

Legend
Platinum Level
Joined
Oct 15, 2021
Total posts
1,320
Awards
6
Poker Chips
706
Casino Coins
0
  • #8
In this way too serious world it is nice to inject a wee bit of fun once in a while.
 
koalapanda

koalapanda

Rock Star
Platinum Level
Joined
Feb 27, 2024
Total posts
176
Awards
1
ID
Poker Chips
190
Casino Coins
5
  • #9
Gutshot Gus said:
Ivan Pavlov repeatedly rang a bell right before giving food to the dogs.
The dog's learned to associate the sound of the bell with food.
They got to the point that they would salivate if the bell was rung without food.

Pavolvian conditioning is a process where an animal or human learns to associate a neutral signal with a biological reflex.

Playing online poker the breaks are almost always at xx:55 past the hour.
This is when you stop and go to the bathroom and pee.
I have played so much online poker and taking those xx:55 breaks that now I always have to go at xx:55 whether or not I'm playing poker.

Online Poker Has Made Me Pavlov's Dog.
That is hilarious and painfully relatable! The xx:55 internal clock is definitely real for any online grinder.
It's all fun and games until you're sitting in a regular meeting or driving at xx:55 and your brain automatically starts looking for the 5-minute sit-out button! 🔔🚽
 
Top