Playing with ADHD

twiztidwolff

twiztidwolff

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I'm just curious how many folks may play or may know someone who plays that has ADHD, and any tips for focusing.
I really feel that my lack of ability to focus at times really has been my biggest struggle. I know I can do well, and I know over time I can build a pretty decent bankroll I mean I almost doubled my starting bank roll in just a couple nights from $50 to $90, since then I have gone bust in about a month.
Mind you I am still fairly new to all this, confident that I am good enough to play for cash, just trying to tune on my struggles.
(Oops meant to put this in the General Chat)
 
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pokerbot123

pokerbot123

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What I find helps when it comes to tournaments is to do something that keeps me busy so I'm not getting bored and playing hands I know I shouldn't. I play a slow video game while I play and it seems to keep me out of those troubling hands. If your looking to completely focus on the game then I would recommend checking out some natural remedies. Youtube it, youtube is by far one of the best sources of information so I'm sure if there's a way, you can find it on there. GL
 
snklzona

snklzona

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My son suffers from ADHD and it was more prevalent when he was younger and in grade school...back then he was treated with ridalin and addarol both narcotics...he is now 20 and starting college and is trying stratera non narcotic with great success...hope this helps also anthother thing I do so as not to get bored and play cards that shouldnt be is have a side game either a .02 .04 ring game or a nothing tourney so I can donk and splash a little if I want...or maybe try slots alot free slot sites...
 
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rawone

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One thing you can do is add in a controlled distraction. As an example, download a number of e-books on non-poker subjects, and listen to them while you play. It may be enough of a mental distraction as to fill in the areas that the ADHD would normally drag you away from.

You may also want to open a window with a video or such of news or subjects that don't interest you as much, as it may get your attention.
 
twiztidwolff

twiztidwolff

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Thanks for the responses folks and the advice! Will have to try a couple of these.
 
pokerbot123

pokerbot123

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DON'T START TAKING A BUNCH OF PILLS! I KNOW FROM EXPERIENCE THAT IT'S ONLY A TEMPORARY AND ADDICTIVE FIX, NOT A SOLUTION. SHAME ON ANYONE WHO GIVES THEIR KIDS DRUGS BEFORE TRYING EVERY NATURAL SOLUTION OUT THERE!! THE EFFECTS OF THE DRUGS WILL CHAGE WHO YOU ARE AND WILL EVENTUALLY STOP WORKING. IT MAKES ME SICK HOW PARENTS ARE SO QUICK TO GIVE THEIR KIDS DRUGS BC THEIR TO LAZY OR IGNORANT TO TRY SOMETHING NATURAL.
 
pokerbot123

pokerbot123

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YES BC DRUGS WILL HELP.... I KNOW FROM EXPERIENCE THAT IT WON'T FIX THE PROBLEM, ONLY MAKE IT WORSE. TRY DOING SOME RESEARCH ON NATURAL REMEDIES INSTEAD OF DRUGGING YOUR CHILD!
 
pokerbot123

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That's what I tried for many years and it did calm me down but only caused more problems in the long run.
 
pokerbot123

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Find your passion kid, that is the solution.
 
twiztidwolff

twiztidwolff

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I am currently taking no meds for my ADHD only because my doctor and I agree that keeping my brain stimulated works for me most of the time. My issues are distractions, during these times, and sleep. My mind runs all over when trying to sleep but I have a natural sleep aid I've used since I was 16, usually only use it once every couple weeks. Distractions can cause me to completely forget what i was doing at times. The only meds I've tried for my ADHD have caused depression.
 
kltpzyxMrM

kltpzyxMrM

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One thing you can do is add in a controlled distraction. As an example, download a number of e-books on non-poker subjects, and listen to them while you play. It may be enough of a mental distraction as to fill in the areas that the ADHD would normally drag you away from.

You may also want to open a window with a video or such of news or subjects that don't interest you as much, as it may get your attention.

Controlling distractions can help. I find wearing earplugs (ala Dewey Tomko) helps me stay a bit more focused live. Wearing a hat with the brim or visor pulled down a bit that restricts my field of view helps a little bit too. I don't have a smart phone, but there are Apps that you can chart hands, I've never tried them but it seems like that would be a good way to keep your head in the game. The thing bad about adderall is for me it tends to stifle my creativity and sometimes makes me more impulsive.
 
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rawone

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I am not a doctor (and I don't play one on TV), but everything I have heard about Adderall is that the gains are offset by massive losses in other areas. For those who are lucky enough (or medicated enough in other ways) it may pay off, but I don't see much positive from it - even though I am sure there is.

Generally keeping your mind busy works. When I was 16-20, I generally did 3 things at a time, even when relaxing, like watch TV, listen to music, and read. It would be enough to drive most normal people batty, but it worked out. Later in life I have learned how to control it better, but there are still some days it doesn't work.

In live poker I tend to concentrate on one or more players movements and actions, trying to micro analyze them. I particularly like reading the players who work very hard to be unreadable, because the victory of spotting their tell is worth it.

Side note: watch people's hands. Most people will endlessly play with their chips, but when they hit a hand (or are under stress) it's the first place that shows it. Paying attention when you are NOT in a hand it worth it, and perhaps a good distraction.
 
aero87

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Concentrate on the people that are in a hand. Try to figure out their tells and figure out what kinds of hands they may have. Distracting yourself from this -ev imo.
 
twiztidwolff

twiztidwolff

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Well on the computer that's tough, but yah I've played in person and made some folks quite uncomfortable with how focused I look at them lmao!
 
have_cards_will_travel

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ADHD and poker

I found that I play better without adderaol and with such distractions that are mentioned in other replies. One of my best tournaments was when I dozed off between hands. I played only a handful of hands and won nearly every one of them and placed at final table (one of my best, not the only best)
 
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PrsHarlequin

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Phil Hellmuth

srsly

heard it somewhere, he got diagnosed with adhd when he got in that new-reborn-nicer Phil stage and seeked some psych help as well
 
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aircasar9876

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i used to take adderal and used to love playing poker on it, as my concentration is incredible for a while, but i probably should have never been prescribed it in the first place as i seem to abuse anything that gave me a brief high. Also 2 years ago i actually collapsed at a gas station in chicago(on vacation) and luckily a cop was there and saw it and i was helped. I have fainted 3 times when i took it. my heart beat was all over the place and i was born with a minor heart problem, so that didnt do me any favors. if used correctly it can be great but i think it is more beneficial for using as needed rather than every day. once you are on it it will be the hardest thing in the world to come off of
 
pokerbot123

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Like most parents my father had me prescribed to certain perscription drugs and when one stopped working they would just up the dosage or change to a new drug. Long story short, it did not solved the problem. I actually got addicted to the intoxicated feeling and would lie to my father to stay on the drug. I haven't taken a single pill for many years and I'm doing better now then when I was on the pills. If you have a son that suffers from the same thing then help him find his passion and then challenge him. I hope this thread is shared to all parents, not just the CC community. Please stop drugging your children.
 
have_cards_will_travel

have_cards_will_travel

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I can't sleep without a cup of coffee before bed. Adderol does not make me high. And I do take adderol (prescribed) though I find that three or four doses throughout the week works better than three every day. Reading an e-book or having videos on you-tube, or both are good ideas when playing on-line.
 
ChronicFish

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cant play every hand..gotta keep yourself from doing so...i usualy watch southpark on southparkstudios and let it play threw whole seasons while i play lol
 
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cant play every hand..gotta keep yourself from doing so...i usualy watch southpark on southparkstudios and let it play threw whole seasons while i play lol

Well that's my day off taken care of lol
 
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