Can Playing Poker Live literally be hazardous to your health?

Unfortunately the answer is a resounding Yes.



In mid December of last year I moved my family from NJ to NV. I grew up around here and have wanted to come home for a long time. We set up for the time being in a 3 BR 3 Bath Condo until the housing market shows signs of a bottom.

So in general, I have no complaints. My family are all healthy and strong and what else really matters.

I have my twins in a good early learning program and my eldest is in elementary school.

So I have been playing poker live pretty much full time since January.

During the week I play 3/6 Limit and only buy in for $40. On most days with a diligent game I make from $200-$400/day.

I allow myself only rebuy for another $40. If the cards aren't falling that day, I concede to the poker gods.

On Fridays or Saturdays I play either one of the local MTT for $120 BI or more often I'll play 1/2 NL and buy in for $200. Here too I wold allow myself only one additional BI, though I haven't had to yet. ( The average w/e player cant compete with the weekday regulars where I play)


So all in all, I have been doing very well at producing a moderate income on a regular basis playing poker.



But my fun came to a screeching halt a few months back.

One evening I had a pain on the outside of my lowest left rib and could have sworn I bruised a rib somehow.

Thanks to a diligent spouse I was dragged to the ER kicking and moaning all the way only to find out after a battery of tests I have multiple blood clots in both lungs.

Now this blew me away b/c I am a bit overweight but in general Im as healthy as a horse. Ive always had regular check up and have never had any ailments. BP always good, blood tests always good, etc.

So for the past couple of months they have ben testing everything to see where the F these came from. And I mean they have tested every fricking thing. Barium,,,,, yum.

My General Practictioner, my Hemotoligist and my new Coumiden Clinic MD insist that I must have gone on a long plane ride or cross country drive which can allow, (even in healthy men), clots to form in some valve in your pelvis when seated for extended periods of time.

Light Bulb

So tongue in cheek I asked if playing poker for long durations could do the same thing, already damn well knowing the answer. And low and behold, Yes it certainly can.

So Im now on blood thinners for another month or so until my lungs build new pathways to get the blood to my lungs as needed. You would think the clots would dissolve, but your body just absorbs them and grows new capillaries.



The Moral to be learned here is GET UP and WALK AROUND every hour or so to keep the blood flowing while playing poker.


PS. This is what I was dealing with playing for Marlo's Mavricks, and I still feel guilty about my results Princess.


Good Luck and Be well

Chris

Oh wow, Chris...you are extremely lucky you didn't occlude a main blood vessel in your lung! I will keep you & your family in my thoughts & prayers. Take care!

close shave man hope it all works out for you. thank for the advice though now I got something else to be worried about...I'll be doing laps round the room while playign now, bah more fear

You can get exercise easily,,,,walking to the fridge for more beers !! ;-)

As you know, I know, dear one...please, please, please eradicate that guilt asap. I'm filled with joy that you are still alive and healing and doing so well, all things considered.

To all: CAM's advice about getting up and walking around is invaluable--take good heed.

Glad to hear you'll be ok, I never knew that could happen.

I'm willing to bet ( though I got flamed last time ) that your wallet ( bill fold ) is in your ass pocket? If you can see the outline of your wallet bleached into your jeans, GTD you have a medical prob.

I did away with the traditional wallet years ago.

I carry a Hartmann CC fold, it only holds like a credit card, a bank card, ID and 8-10 big bills. And it in the front pocket or thigh pocket more often. I love my 6 pocket camo shorts for poker.

Other than that, I carry my phone for the Pandora music, head phones and my MauiJims

Glad you're on the mend CAM!!!

Close call there ... good to hear you're doing ok now. Your story reminds me of the David Bloom death. The MSNBC/NBC reporter that died in Iraq a few years ago.

Thank you all very much for the well wishes, Playing one of the local $120BI tonight. wish me luck

Think about it... These ppl are TRYING to get insinde your head---literally...

There's a device (using living bacteria as a transduction) in Japan that lets blind ppl "see" what they're thinking... Reverse this context with a primitive form of the latter and you'll see what I'm getting at.

I ended up playing at the Peppermill last night.

It was a $125 BI. I took a couple of photos for you guys.

The first was when we hit the final table.

I like what they do at the Peppermill, they set the Prize $ on the table as soon somebody busts out so we can see what your playing for, it refocuses me.

I was chip leader with around 100K, 2nd had about 24K, so I was in good shape.
Blue-5k
grey-500
yellow-1k
red-100

2nd picture was the win sheet and prize money.

I ended up taking first for just over a G.

Yay me. lol

.

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WTG, Well Done!!

Congratulations and I am glad you ended up getting checked out. That is some scary stuff.

nice win! my 2 local B&M's have $130s/$45s nlhe; everyday but vary t-r/ m-w-f; respectively; weekday play is the same vs. w/e @ these local p-rooms; we are a military town (Navy/army) so it can be quite nice.

Way to go, CAM!!! Sounds like you're right back in the saddle where you belong.

Playing poker at a casino would probably be hazardous for your health if you happened to be Ray Bitar

Good advice CAM, and stay healthy, sounds like your bankroll is

By the way folks, the "get up and walk around" applies to any sitting activity - like working on a computer for a living - not just poker!


Be healthy everybody.

I went on a long bus ride and ended up with a giant bruise on the back of my lower thigh. It caused poor circulation as well. Pretty scary

Thanks for the advice. Although this is probably a rare case, it is definitely a good idea to try and be somewhat 'active' during a poker session, For professionals at least. I'd be curious to wonder why you are only buying in for 60 at a 3/6 lhe game though, is that the standard there?

Most buy in for 100. The range is 20-300 but I find b/c the players are so tight at my regular game that it only pays to play uber primis there. Its basically a foldathon with the occasional heavy push with ATC which works only when the days rep has been established.

so the 60 allows for 3-4 heavy rounds and if the poker gods are not allowing my tier one starting hands to hold up, then its probably best to go swimming.

OMG, I sit on my bed for hours at a time playing, never getting up, now I am not some young chickie, kids grown, basically we are empty nesters already having health problems, had to retire early due to health and just started playing poker since May vigorously trying to make a few extra dollars. Now I have to remember to get up and do a few stretches every hour. I can't afford any new health problems. Hubby just recovery from a Lung resection surgery due to cancer (yes smoking kills), we just got lucky and had a surgeon who knew of this surgery, but all in all, this is probably one of the most informative post that I have seen that I will definitely heed to. Prayers to you and yours

Vigorously - really? Shouldn't be a problem then...

Does the heat have something to do with it too? It's still high 110 and low 80+ in vegas. It's almost September. Is this normal temperature for vegas?

Isn't Las Vegas in the Nevada Desert?

It is hot as phuck in Vegas but thats 7 hours to my south. Im in the Reno Area which is high desert with a perfect climate.

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I always do about 30 sit ups on the breaks. I recently read about a kid dying playing video games and being in the same place sitting to long so its very important to at least get up and walk around for at least 5 minutes.