Playing Poker When Tired

Dushka

Dushka

Visionary
Platinum Level
Joined
Nov 15, 2022
Total posts
529
Awards
1
UA
Chips
617
There is such a thing. But I know it's wrong.Many mistakes can be made.
 
D

deckix

Rising Star
Bronze Level
Joined
Oct 9, 2025
Total posts
10
GB
Chips
34
Absolutely. Before poker, I used to panic when things didn’t go my way — now I just check, call, and wait for life to bluff. Poker taught me that sometimes you’ve got to fold your ego, not your hand. And honestly, emotional control? I’ve stared at a royal flush and acted like I was checking my grocery list — that skill comes in handy when my boss takes credit for my idea.
 
oroochimaru

oroochimaru

Visionary
Platinum Level
Joined
Mar 24, 2019
Total posts
503
Awards
3
DE
Chips
215
Do you ever play poker when you're tired, or do you avoid it completely? I find that when I'm not 100%, I tend to make more mistakes.

Yes, I have most certainly been there. Theres no way I can play my best poker when I m worn out. My thoughts dont seem to go as fast and as a result, I would make foolish calls or miss obvious clues. Although I now try to avoid playing when I m fatigued, there are times when I either get carried away by the excitement or simply want to play for enjoyment. I generally limit my games when I m exhausted and I dont play for very long. The hard way has taught me that I am more prone to tilt or simply not think as strategically when my energy levels are low.
 
ScoobyEdu

ScoobyEdu

How about some fun games?
Platinum Level
Joined
Jul 3, 2017
Total posts
2,189
Awards
10
BR
Chips
647
Do you ever play poker when you're tired, or do you avoid it completely? I find that when I'm not 100%, I tend to make more mistakes.

I usually don't play when I'm very tired, but I usually maintain a healthy routine for the days I'm scheduled to play.
Another thing I avoid these days is playing with any kind of physical discomfort, be it a headache, back pain, or even sleepiness.
 
Rosylly

Rosylly

Rock Star
Platinum Level
Joined
Jan 1, 2024
Total posts
236
UA
Chips
252
I mean you can play, but don't expect good results...
 
dzsire

dzsire

Legend
Platinum Level
Joined
May 8, 2021
Total posts
1,708
Awards
2
HU
Chips
803
Definitely not, tired and impatient can only lead to bad decisions.
You don't have to play at all costs, of course, if it's a big competition, it's worth waking yourself up a little with something.
 
dompoker

dompoker

Legend
Platinum Level
Joined
Jul 22, 2019
Total posts
1,083
Awards
2
Chips
645
When the fatigue is physically, if I've played, but when it's mentally, definitely not, because you can't concentrate well on the game.
 
veryluckyfish7k

veryluckyfish7k

Rock Star
Platinum Level
Joined
Nov 4, 2025
Total posts
173
Chips
145
Do you ever play poker when you're tired, or do you avoid it completely? I find that when I'm not 100%, I tend to make more mistakes.
playin if you tired is mistake, all actions was wrong when i was tired
 
BetterThanAvgButNotByMuch

BetterThanAvgButNotByMuch

Visionary
Bronze Level
Joined
Jan 1, 2022
Total posts
903
Awards
1
Chips
265
i would play tired but I could judge whether my game (when i was tired) was good enough to still be profitable against the table.

if not, then i would have to quit or at least take a break either a walk around the casino, a trip out to the parking lot for some air or a burger run or something or call it a session.

but if you're serious then you will know when is a good time to play and from what hours and then schedule yourself to be ready to go at that time.

then its just a matter of judging your game and being honest with your play but you cant do that if you cant judge your play or the table's.

gl
 
antonis32123

antonis32123

Legend
Loyaler
Joined
Dec 25, 2014
Total posts
7,300
Awards
20
GR
Chips
693
When I feel tired I don't want to play tournaments or sngs , generally games where I will have to play many hours , dedicate a lot of time . But a zoom game or sth similar can be played in such an occasion , you can stop any moment you like .
 
Igor Popadyk

Igor Popadyk

Legend
Platinum Level
Joined
May 7, 2015
Total posts
1,328
Awards
7
Chips
678
I eat to cheer up, drink tea, turn on comedy, it helps me
 
fernandofcp

fernandofcp

Visionary
Platinum Level
Joined
Feb 25, 2016
Total posts
946
Awards
3
Chips
400
There were times when I played tired and couldn't perform well. Playing tired is a bad idea. It's better to accept the tiredness and play at another time, when you're fully rested. Depending on your mental state, it's always good to be rested when playing.
 
thwenth1983

thwenth1983

Visionary
Platinum Level
Joined
May 26, 2019
Total posts
749
Awards
2
BR
Chips
628
It’s never good to play poker when you’re tired, stressed, or under pressure to win money.
“Oh, I really need the money, I have to win.” — That’s exactly when you shouldn’t play.
Poker should be played when you’re completely relaxed, with no problems and no pressure to win.
You need to play calmly so you can make the best decisions possible.
 
anasslaaleg

anasslaaleg

Rock Star
Platinum Level
Joined
Sep 6, 2016
Total posts
407
Awards
1
MA
Chips
260
We’ve all been there sitting down to play after a long day, telling ourselves we’re still sharp enough to make good decisions. But the truth is, playing poker when you’re tired is one of the biggest leaks in your game.
When fatigue kicks in, your focus fades. You start calling instead of folding, bluffing in bad spots, or chasing losses just to “wake yourself up.” It’s not skill that suffers it’s decision-making.
Sometimes, the best play isn’t at the table.
It’s closing your laptop, resting, and coming back with a clear mind.
Poker rewards patience and discipline not exhaustive.
 
Leandro Moecke

Leandro Moecke

Rock Star
Platinum Level
Joined
Dec 13, 2024
Total posts
128
BR
Chips
323
Você costuma jogar pôquer quando está cansado, ou evita completamente? Percebo que quando não estou 100%, tendo a cometer mais erros.
I think the same way, when I'm tired or a little stressed, mistakes when playing increase, so I avoid playing that way as much as possible
 
dangbaonguyen93

dangbaonguyen93

Rock Star
Platinum Level
Joined
Jul 7, 2023
Total posts
259
Awards
2
VN
Chips
338
I will choose to rest when I am tired, but sometimes life does not give me a choice.
 
dannystanks

dannystanks

Legend
Silver Level
Joined
Jan 25, 2023
Total posts
1,026
US
Chips
791
If I’m in a big tournament they can sometimes go 12-15 hours before they bag chips and call it a day, it can be pretty tiring but it’s a fun experience, I really dig it! I’m usually drinking some coffee to hang in there and help me concentrate. Old man coffee here lol
 
flabilim

flabilim

Rock Star
Platinum Level
Joined
Mar 29, 2023
Total posts
298
Awards
1
BR
Chips
519
OFatigue causes you to lose one of the virtues of playing poker: patience and reasoning, so I try to avoid playing when I'm tired.
 
margmilo44

margmilo44

Rock Star
Platinum Level
Joined
May 27, 2025
Total posts
165
CA
Chips
212
all that matters if you're winning and making positive EV decisions. care about your body in the long term make money when you can in the short!
 
Mag_P1e

Mag_P1e

Rock Star
Platinum Level
Joined
Sep 27, 2022
Total posts
356
Awards
1
UA
Chips
665
I think it's a huge mistake to sit down to play poker when you're not feeling your best. It certainly won't lead to anything good! And it could very well make things worse.
 
alucaa

alucaa

Rock Star
Platinum Level
Joined
Apr 19, 2025
Total posts
260
BR
Chips
249
I usually don't have time to play, so I play in short and specific spaces, I would say that I'm usually not at my 100%, I study a lot of jajsjs.
 
W

WellAA

Visionary
Platinum Level
Joined
May 12, 2012
Total posts
979
Awards
2
BR
Chips
440
When I play tired, I just bet my aces pre-flop , half sleep on the flop,o_O snoring on the turn , :cry:and dreaming about the game on the river. :eek:when I woke up the hand just flew away due my tiredness, not funny and happened many times.
 
Sos1l

Sos1l

Rock Star
Silver Level
Joined
Mar 14, 2022
Total posts
173
Chips
73
Do you ever play poker when you're tired, or do you avoid it completely? I find that when I'm not 100%, I tend to make more mistakes.
Yes, I have this problem too. Sometimes I get so drawn into the game that I can’t stop, even realizing that I’m tired and my decisions have become impulsive and not logical. one of my defects that I am aware of and trying to solve it
 
john_entony

john_entony

feed the Fox
Loyaler
Joined
Jun 3, 2023
Total posts
3,244
Awards
12
UA
Chips
356
I only make a lot of mistakes when I want to sleep. And that happens late at night. Sometimes it's easier for me to go all-in on pre-flop with a middle hand and hope for a call than to play cunningly, trying to draw a combination on the board. :unsure:
 
ninocabral

ninocabral

Visionary
Platinum Level
Joined
Feb 9, 2021
Total posts
779
Awards
1
Chips
517
If you play poker for work you have to be disciplined even when you are tired, but if you play as a hobby, avoid playing while tired.
 
Top