Poker Life vs. Normal Life
Poker is a very time consuming game; especially for veterans and professionals who earn a living from it. Every good poker player knows that as long as you are skilled at the game; the more hours you put in, the more of a chance you have of cashing out just like time spent at a regular job. The only problem with careers that consume most of one’s time is that; the career consumes every bit that it can and then most people are left with just a job they no longer enjoy. Many players out there sacrifice a social life or even a personal life just for the game of poker. All players need to find a balance; a place of Zen in-between that allows them to play the game and make a living, but at the same time still have a life devoid of the poker world.
One of the most important aspects of life involves physical fitness and health. It stands to reason that poker is not a game of physical activity, therefore you need to find time on your own to exercise and remain in shape. Sitting around day after day at a poker table or at a desk playing online poker, while doing nothing but eating and shuffling plastic chips will eat away at your fitness level. If you don’t take the time to exercise, then before you know it; you’ll be twice the size of your mother in law. If you already are on the heavy side; well then you got a long road ahead but need to get in the schedule of exercising as well. If you want to play poker for a very long and healthy life; remaining in shape will be a necessity.
Alcohol consumption and smoking habits also need to be controlled. A good player shouldn’t even be anywhere near alcohol while playing the game; even one drink can inhibit your activity and mind so much that it costs you more money. There is no other career on the planet where it is acceptable to drink while working; it’s just not right. On the other hand smoking can cause big problems as well; especially for those chain smokers who are routinely reaching for a pack. Cravings and smoke breaks can cut in on your play time, and for those cravings that are bad enough can even interfere with your focus on the game. Not to mention that both aspects could seriously harm your physical body condition and alter your health; which just adds another reason to stop. For those who don’t wish to stop it is important to understand that your habits do need to be under control before stepping up to a poker table; unless of course you want to lose the money you have to a stupid mistake.
Sleep is a very important part of a healthy lifestyle. Not just five minute catnaps here or there but a regular sleeping pattern. There is so much that sleep contributes to even in our daily lives that it cannot be skipped over. Therefore it is extremely important that poker players take the time to give their body the correct amount of rest. Sleep deprivation, or the lack of sleep thereof, can cause severe drowsiness, trouble concentrating or keeping focus, poor mood cycles, an increased risk of falls and accidents, and lower productivity. All of these negative side effects will, without a doubt, affect any player’s poker game. So before you hit the tables for that big tournament you’ve been waiting for; don’t pull an all-nighter practicing extra, just make sure your body gets the rest it needs.
Social life, or what poker players should consider as life outside of poker, is a very important part of life as well. No matter how much you may love the game of poker; “too much of something is never good”. Life needs to exist outside the casino or office to give your mind and body time away from your career. If you do not take time for yourself, then eventually it will bleed over into your career and cause problems just like anything else. An unhappy person is never a good poker player; they often get too aggressive and act on emotion; and if it’s one thing that should always remain absent from any poker player’s arsenal, it includes emotional involvement. Take time to keep yourself happy with your life and career; it may also be somewhat like work but nonetheless it is required to stay focused on the game. Think of it as a sort of refreshment from the poker world. A social life should include friends and family that are stretched far from the world of poker; which means just hanging out with buddies from your regular poker sessions doesn’t count.
Everyone needs love; even the meanest poker players out there; which goes to show that a healthy romantic lifestyle is also a necessity in one’s life. Unless you are a secluded hermit, nun, or catholic priest relieving sexual tension will also play a role in your career. It may seem somewhat silly or ridiculous but I think everyone can remember one time or another when they had to go for months without sex while in-between relationships. I don’t know about you; but when it happens to me I become a more unpleasant person to be around. It can also cloud judgment and cause more aggressive behavior. Sex is a necessity in life; but it goes without saying “too much of anything is never a good thing”; so in other words don’t fall into the habit of having sex with a different woman every night because that is just as unhealthy as smoking cigarettes, eventually one will kill you.
On top of that it is important to keep a significant other who identifies with you. Most people fall in love because it provides a balance in every aspect of their life; and that is exactly what is needed while playing poker. Sometimes as much as we hate admitting it; it’s good to have a person around to point out your faults. If you get yelled at all the time for putting too much of your life and stakes into your career; then obviously you are a workaholic. If you get yelled at all the time for just sitting around; then obviously you need to jump into some physical exercise. It may not seem like something good at the time you are being pointed out; but in the long run it will help make you a better person and a better poker player. This aspect is of course not required, as some people have their own reasons for not maintaining a romantic relationship; but it should be noted that the absence of a romantic lifestyle will affect any career.
Maintaining a very healthy lifestyle is extremely important to keeping oneself in a good physical and mental condition. You need to be both mentally and physically healthy to fully concentrate in the game of poker. So, this adversely shows in order to be a successful poker player your best bet is to remain healthy and keep an active lifestyle. This does not mean that there never has been an unhealthy poker player; on the contrary just look around next time you are at a poker casino. Poker however is a game of strengths and weaknesses; every player needs to take every chance they get at having an advantage over their opponents; keeping an active lifestyle will give many advantages, therefore the reasons for doing just that are self-explanatory. A balance needs to be set and every player needs to divide their life into two parts; “Poker life” and “Normal life”. At many times this is a difficult thing to do; but it does need to happen nonetheless. Keep a special part of your life devoid of the poker world and when it comes time to focus on the game, you will quickly find it is much easier to do so.
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Alcohol, Online Poker Room, Poker, Smoking
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