The Comforts of Poker

One of the best things about poker is that you can play it from the comfort of your own home.

I like my poker set up to be spacious and comfortable. Thus I need a large table, some music, lots of coffee, and ashtray.....all the basic comforts.
I have another friend who plays its largely from his study, and is generally less of a lazy fata$$ than I am. I know another guy who is a mid-stakes pro and his place looks more like a control tower than I would like.

What is your set-up like? And what kind of home comforts do you need to enhance the sitting-on-your-a$$ experience?

I'm a student and as such I have my laptop and that's about it. I guess that means i can play anywhere so just imagine my lying on a beach somewhere hot.

I used to play at my old gf's house, and since she had two daughters there was plenty of background noise which gave me something to concentrate through. She and I split up--largely because I was spending more time on her computer than on her--and I started playing in my office after work, which I first got used to and now prefer. The downside to playing in silence is it doesn't really prepare you for live play, but then one of my favorite aspects of online poker is how anti-social it can be.

I prefer playing with a song in my head versus music in the background. I've experimented with different types of music and even seal noises, but I seem to play better after the cd runs out. When I've played my best, at the end of the tourney I turn around and am surprised to find the cd player that I'd forgotten about.

What helps the most are visual aids. Before the start of a tourney I'll find a picture--usually a painting, a photo of an animal, or a childhood pic of an old friend--and I'll relax gazing at it. During the tourney I'll keep the photo available on a tab on the computer, and if I ever need a kick in the pants or to calm down, I'll click back and look at it and regroup. I can't begin to explain how helpful doing that has been. I completely understand why some players take photos with them when they play live.

You know....that pro I was talking about is thinking of doing just that. He makes about 70,000 pa from cash games, and he is thinking of moving somewhere cool like Thailand where 70,000 goes a long long way.

i like playing home also, it's much less stressful, the toilets are clean & i can go whenever i want my fridge is nice & close so i can eat & drink at leisure w/o leaving a tip ahh the luxury i quit smoking so the air is a lot nicer also

well like you said, lots of coffee and an ashtray. i smoke more than i should when i play poker. the room i play in is small, but has a nice chair, and lots of light from a big window. not the best place to play, but it is comfortable.

sometimes i even eat dinner in front of the computer. i think i like poker to much.

As long as i've got a decent computer with good internet connection im happy. A nice cuppa tea or cold drink doesn't go amiss either, and maybe some music to help me concentrate

I am set up in a bedroom in the back of my house where I keep it totally dark except for the computer screen. My fan is usually running and always with a Mt. Dew. :-)

i'm also in my bedroom but i let my son sleep in here at night so it's really my computer room

That is the best thing about online poker is you can play it from the confort of your own home. Quite frankly thats why people are losing so much money, because its so convienant. Most people lack the ability of self control, and with that kind of stimulus at your fingertips you can get into some big trouble. Thats why it is absolutely neccessary to find balance in your life aswell as your poker game, then you dont have to worry about getting fat and being a couch potato because you are out doing other things in the meantime to balance things out.

actually i like online for the fact that it basically costs nothing, i haven't ever & never will spend my own $$ for online poker, sure i've deposited but always took it back out so i could withdraw easily as most sites require it, but you are right a lot of ppl just can't stop, but i hate gambling with my own $$ so i don't

I prefer to play in a large room with a green or burgundy felt table. Preferably, there will be ten players and a dealer.

KC

I play in my den/office at home. I have a private bath and coffee bar. I never play in my work office - suck if I play in there.

We have a card table as my husband loves his live games...I am normally the "designated slave" when this happens...otherwise I much prefer playing online than going to our local casino. The coffee, drinks and snacks are way cheaper here at home anyway!

Can't help but wenjoy the creature comforts of home, I know exactly how long it takes to do all of the things I might need to do while playing(get a drink, bathroom, etc.), and how long they take to do. I also find that the more relaxed I am in my envirnment, in this case my computer room, the better I play.