Do you drink alcohol when you play poker?

[qwassar313]

no

 

[takinitSLEAZEE]

Sure, sometimes. I think we can flip the question, a bit, and ask ourselves 'do we play poker when we drink?' The answer is yes. What better way to relax, right?

 

[jordanbillie]

Sometimes. If I'm playing a session of small buy-in SNGs or a CC freeroll, I will usually have 2-3 beers. I am playing to enjoy myself after all! If I'm in a higher buy-in MTT I'm likely to avoid alcohol.

 

[BlackJesus]

1) Yes, of course
2) Very bad method, extremely bad
3) Perfect soberness, drinking water only, not eating while playing; having my poker notes near me in case I need more focus

 

[GENA44489]

Sometimes they drank beer while playing online.I think it's different for different people who help during the game when you sing to focus.For me personally, playing sober is much better than thinking in a state of alcoholic intoxication.

 

[TheChosenDragon]

1) Have you drunk alcohol when you play poker either online or live?
No never, but maybe if you don't drink too much it would be ok.

2) What do you think of moderate alcohol consumption as a disinhibitor method to play more concentrated?
As long as it's not too much it can indeed help, but not a fan of it.

3) What is your method of concentration when you play poker?

When it is silence it doesn't work, so I put on the TV.

 

[TheDev]

I dont drink when playing. Sometimes I will if it's a friendly game at a friends house (or if I'm hosting a poker night). But if I am playing at a casino or playing a tourney online I dont drink. I like to be clear minded and i think having a buzz from alcohol (or other substances for that matter) can change you decision making and even push players to tilt much easier.

 

[kent777]

иногда я пью перед каким-то дорогим турниром, но исключительно ради мужества и снятия напряжения главное не злоупотреблять

 

[killosaby]

Alcohol + Poker = best results.

Nut, nut, Baby!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IjdQnWmUAo

Touche Sir! Scotty Nguyen is so hilarious!
I refrain from alcohol completely when playing for much $$.

 

[johnny tigre]

I dont.
I get DUI'ed when i do that. Donking Under the Influence of alcohol.

 

[dayontour]

Bad idea

Worst thing I can think of anyone doing, you will either spectacularly fail or have one of your best wins, not a good idea. :beerglass

 

[dbchristy]

I used too like a fish..but it drained my bankroll fast.LOL

 

[Jlo111888]

Never drink alcohol i dont like that makes me mad :vroam:enjoy coke and soft epsi:

 

[paisley]

I rarely drink alcohol to begin with never mind playing poker. Can't think of a stupider idea frankly. Unless the point is just to have a good time, then fine. But if the point is to make money, you need to play your A game.

 

[Gonegreen420]

No way jose. Bad things happen when you do that. Make to many risky plays. Atleast i would.

 

[digdug0037]

I do have a drink or 2 every now and then when I play, but I think it does not improve my game at all.

 

[Skema07]

Never, often eat something, or stuff like chips

 

[Artbart805]

No, but then again, I don’t drink!

 

[GIRFIED]

The poker is a sport (mental sport), and like all sports, it uses the muscles.

The most important "muscle" to play poker, are not those in the hands that make the clicks, is the one that tells us how to play, that is, the brain.

If it is so important for our game ¿How can we drink something that affects its functioning? I think it is smarter to leave alcohol for the holidays.

 

[diego farfan]

when I'm in an important tournament not since alcohol is not a good addition to the game

 

[Joe]

Ok, firstly,

I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to double post because I want to quote and respond to probably close to 50% of the replies, which might take me over the character limit and yeah, nah...

So I've stopped at what might be about halfway and we'll hopefully go straight back in for part 2, incase I forget.. :laugh:

Hello everyone, I have some questions about alcohol in poker.

1) Have you drunk alcohol when you play poker either online or live?

2) What do you think of moderate alcohol consumption as a disinhibitor method to play more concentrated?

3) What is your method of concentration when you play poker?

I clarify that I am not drinking alcohol when I play regularly, although I must admit that if I like to drink very occasionally when playing and moderately.

Greetings.

Hi there Gustav, great post!

1) In the past, yes.. These days, maybe one or two beers late game but anything else is dangerous for me..

2) Disinhibition for better concentration- no. Better bravery- yes. 'Dutch courage' is an expression in the UK, apologies if that is offensive to anyone but I don't think it's a bad thing... If I was about to go over the trenches, I'd want a laaaaaaarge, fine bourbon (or anything strong) too!

3) Remove distractions, maybe a little music (preferably without lyrics), make sure I'm in the best condition to play and, if online, isolate myself or be with people that know I cannot talk or be distracted 95% of the time whilst playing.

For context, I'm pretty much a recovering alcoholic so have to be extremely observant and disciplined around booze..

At Christmas/Birthday I will allow myself a few, rest of the time, clean & dry is best for yours truly!

This is the thing. If your drinking causally and slow it shouldn't affect you in short term.

Good example. i played a tourney the other night. I started drinking around the beginning. I ended up in the money in second place. By then i was feeling good so i took my winning and went to the cash tables. I started off killing it. Ran my winning up 4 fold. Funny thing is you dont pay attention as much and make woopty do calls. By the time I drank my last beer I had lost all of it. So yes you can drink and play and the other players will not complain if you do. But I would advise not to. See ya the tables.:flute::flute::flute:

This sounds uber familiar pal!

Very rarely do I drink alcohol these days. If I’m home playing online it’s definitely not happening. While playing live cashgames at the casinos I may imbibe with a drink or 2, if the table is really fun and has a friendly vibe. Also, may have a ****tail during the last level of a tournament, or last orbit or hour or so (if I am up or not down anything significant) to unwind and relax. Never am I playing poker while drinking excessively or drunk. I see those players bleeding money and making poor decisions based on tilt and lack of control.

I have to say, this post blew me away for a few reasons.. Firstly, do you always have the same [mixed-drink]tail or different ones? Either way, which do you have?

Absolutely love the image of sitting with a huge stack, halfway through the FT, supping an exquisitely-made <insert any awesome c0cktail here>..

Not only that, as you say it would be relaxing for you, but also I think really intimidating for opponents.. I know it would bug me if I was one of the other players, especially shorter..

Yes, I like to drink beer while I am playing poker.I recomend.

Which beer do you recommend?

Hi. I drink beer. I love it while I play, although I have a long session I drink a lot of water.:rock::rock::rock:

Sound advice to alternate water & alcohol, my dad always advised this to keep your wits & avoid hangover!

For most people a drink or two will help you relax to play.
But as bigpappa says, if you drink too much and play too long you will lose it all.

Also quite accurate!

I've started doing this recently it definitely hurts my game esp. Tournaments. Time to quit!

One man's meat is another man's poison, that's for sure!

No, I don’t drink alcohol at all !!!

The line between concentration and ... too much alcohol is too thin, and you may not notice it by accident!

my method of good concentration is to have a good rest before the game !!!

It's a thin line and slippery slope, agreed.

Alcohol + Poker = best results.

Nut, nut, Baby!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IjdQnWmUAo

I absolutely drink when I play online or live, never plan on having more than three drinks though plans never work out lmao

Loved this post & thank you for the video!

When I used to drink a lot, what worked for me in tournaments was as I got more drunk (read more obnoxious), people's desire to bust me rose...

So all I had to do, was keep drinking and talking nonsense whilst waiting for the nuts, then drunkenly & dramatically shove in at the bluffiest spot and work out what structure to drunkenly rebuild my stack into...

Mostly I don’t drink alcohol. I do not drink not only during the game, but I do not drink at all. There was a time when I did not drink alcohol for more than 8 years in a row, and now, if I drink, I try not to play at all.

If you're anything like me, well done mate, I'm right behind you!

I mean if i play with my friends for a little fun, why not having some drinks. But if i play live or online and wanna win something then i never drink ^^ I need all of my mind, because im not a pro yet ^^

Sounds sensible enough!

Definitely, alcohol and poker go great together, as does weed.

Horses for courses, am I right?

When i come to last stages!! Time to be brave, and not enough time to get drunk and stupid [emoji14]

This makes perfect sense to me, I concur about the bravery-induction! :laugh:

I think if you feel more comfortable drinking a drink, that's fine ... But never let it take your concentration. Besides, alcohol is never good! I consume 1 or 2 times a week, moderately.

Advisable!

I happen to have a drink when I'm very angry against my playing or when I'm angry because I have a lot of bad beats, it allows me to relax, and to be more enthusiastic

Whatever works! Interesting process though.. :beerglass

Hey.
1) I like tea or coffee.
2) a small amount will not harm much.
3) music.

Good job remembering to answer all three, many forgot! :icon_thum

Never again .... I lost all my bank in one night I was drunk !!!

You're smart and learnt from the mistake first time, I made it a few times... :bawling:

Sometimes I drink while playing. A few glasses of wine or beer and it will be fine. But when I drink whiskey and playing a tournament I always end up making bold moves that burns me. i would make the buble then throw it all away. I guess it has a negative effect if your are playing for a few hours. Cash games I dont mind because I can stop when I want.

You're definitely correct, different spirits & alcohols effect people in different ways..

Having worked on all levels of mixed-drinks (silly censorship of the other word, can we lift that maybe? It's also a male chicken too, not just a penis) bartending, right up to management and then basically to 'consultant' level all over the world, this is something I've investigated extensively! :drunken_s

Nice choice of word in 'burn', whiskey is like 'a torch lit procession down the throat' after all...

No ofc not! Alcohol will **** you up and loose money in poker. Don't be stupid guys and drink water, tea, etc no alcohol. Kisses on the wallet. Xdddddd

Bluntly put, and arguably true, but do you recognise that might not be the case for everyone?

Absolutely. Alcohol helps keep me relaxed. It's always a good karma to buy someone you're up on, a beer.

Great concept about the beer, it'd make me want to lose chips to you more than anyone else at the table! Is there a limit? :laugh:

The question should sound What type of alcohol you drink when you play?

Well, your question might sound like that!

one beer not bad in game haha

How about one scotch and one bourbon too? :flute:

It feels like I play better when I'm hungover.

So, specifically after the night of bad play? Or just whenever hungover?

I tried it but it's not good

What happened? :biggrin:

When i started with poker, i was always drinking alcohol.
8 from 10 times the alcohol made me a aggressive player.
When i quit the alcohol, it made me better choices and stay calm.
No alcohol for me!.

Similar for me!

Small vid:

Your points were valid but wanted to thank you for the vid, it accompanied my scrolling beautifully!

How do you feel about the game, and the game will treat you. I have been playing poker for more than 5 years, but I have never sat down to play poker with alcohol! for me it's like driving a car a taboo is strictly prohibited poker and alcohol are 2 different things!

Very interesting concept about 'interacting' with the game itself, respectfully.. :icon_thum

only when i play live cash games :rock:

Why am I not surprised mate?? :laugh:

Me too, kinda..

yh love drink when play poker and few other things lol

Oh yeah? Do pm me the others, I'm intrigued as an mainly-ex-partaker and want to live vicariously through you! :laugh:

you ever lived lol

Certainly have!

I start to drink when i am close to FT [emoji14]

I'm starting to seeing a trend with this idea..

Generally no. Alcohol impairs my cognitive ability and concentration, which has a negative effect on my reads, which has a negative effect on my winrate!

Very scientific, mathematical & concise! :albertein:top:

Phew... That's halfway...

Think the sequel might be more selective!

Also tomorrow... Haha..

 

[Zvezda kz]

Tracid
What a great job, how much time has been spent. How meticulous and effective you are.

 

[Joe]

This is a great topic.

For me it varies, but definitely happens. Home game, yes, almost always.

Cash games in poker rooms I will drink a few early, loosen me (not my play, just my nerves) up a bit. When I play pool at the bar I dont shoot great until I have 2 beers in me, but if i drink to much i shoot horrible. Same logic for live cash games. 2 slow beers, then coffee. Repeat every so often with a meal in the middle. I finally learned to leave if i'm buzzed. One bad play will happen where i bluff away a lot of chips. Players (including myself) target the drunk guy.

I used to go to bed at 7PM on Fridays, wake up at 2AM and go to the Sugar House (Philly) or the Hawaiian Gardens (socal) bright eyed with coffee to take down the weekend drunk players. It worked well.

Live tourneys, rarely. If it's a 2 day event and we are at hour 9-10 waiting to bag for the next day my nerves are generally shot. I will drink 1 beer to make it all go away...

Online, same logic with a bump up in drinking. Cash games more because I can turn them off at any time. Tourneys only at the end when my nerves are fried and I'm pacing back and forth.

Always for celebration

So the clear cut, very specific answer is: sometimes, maybe.....

Great post!

I literally experimented with the 'alcohol pool window' once over the course of a few weeks, similar results to you...

I believe you that it worked!

I never used to drink alcohol when playing online poker but, like a few others have already said on here, I'll have a drink or three when playing at a friendly house game because the point there is to have fun and socialise far more than it is about winning any money. In recent months, I have been in the habit of having one beer (and only one) when playing online. My Dad died in October - I'm not looking for sympathy messages, I am sad of course but coping fairly okay and getting on with life, I'm only mentioning it cos it's maybe relevant - so I think having the ONE beer is actually helping to take the edge off my emotions at the moment and, hence, concentrate on my poker game a bit better. But obviously (and again, this has been said plenty by previous posters on the thread) getting drunk isn't going to help anyone's game. Mind you, I reckon other things that compromise the brain's focus are just as bad as excess alcohol for making poker players play worse - watching TV while playing, for example. I've been doing that from time to time, recently, and it massively impacts on my results.

I know you're not looking for it, but my condolences and I'm really pleased that you are managing to get through the unimaginable.

'One' is often the right answer to questions!

None at all. Also, past my wild drinking days...... at least for the most part

This is off topic, might be frowned upon, and I apologise if offends anyone, but...

If the avatar is you, the username is extremely accurate!

Also, ditto regarding the 'mainly behind'... Haha

Touche Sir! Scotty Nguyen is so hilarious!
I refrain from alcohol completely when playing for much $$.

I loved the video too, that's how to do 'drunk poker' correctly... Annoy the heck out of everyone and get it in with the nuts!

....

Phew!

If people could refrain from posting quite so many interesting and quote-worthy replies, my fingers would be most grateful! :laugh:

 

[Joe]

Tracid
What a great job, how much time has been spent. How meticulous and effective you are.

Awww, why thank you!

It's a topic I have an obvious connection to and vested interest in..

I was going to edit this into 'Part 2' but I'm not sure if you would have received a notification and wanted you to be aware of my reply.

Much love pal, I appreciate you too!

:flowers:

 

[10gerka]

I think it is a bad idea to drink alcohol when you play poker, at first it will not affect you, but more then you start stacking and playing too much and unbalanced, I think that alcohol is for other occasions, and not when you are playing your money in poker, you have to be more aware of what we do