How Does Alcohol Effect Your Game? Better or Worse?

[jordanbillie]

Is it a good or bad mix?

I have met all kinds over the years while playing poker, alcohol seems to be a popular drink in my local casinos (Scotland) while at the table.

Is a few drinks fine? To maybe calm the nerves? Is there a limit you go to, before you say that's enough? Is it more for social reasons or can alcohol, actually, bring you out of your shell and make you play a more aggressive game?

What are the pro's and con's?

The slope is as slippery as lard on stainless steel!

It's easiest to say, "Poker and Alcohol don't mix!"

 

[Kinalha]

Some beers at the table, is good to relax.

But you need to know, u are playing money, not dancing at the party

 

[Newmy12345]

There's nothing wrong with having a beer or glass of wine , it all depends from person to person actually. If you do not like it at all or you're not used to it then its basically suicide at the poker tables especially MTTs. As long as you're relaxing and having a good time, why not?
But I see many people judge the ones who like a social drink or they treat smokers ( me included in the latter category) as lower beings. As long as it does not hurt the ones around us ..it isnt anyones business.Everyone has minimum a vice, a bad habit say. Absolutely everyone. That does not make anyone better than others nor define us as persons

 

[theStarfish]

I personally think that drinking alcohol while playing poker is not a good idea because I feel that I am not focused anymore and I tend to make more mistakes. Of course some players might drink alcohol and don´t feel a difference but it is not a good idea for me.

 

[gassstation]

I don't think it can be combined. You need to think clearly. Under alcohol, the game can end very quickly.

 

[sincos]

Of course...alcohol is not recommended for playing poker. But for the sake of interest, you can once try to play drunk on the NL2 limit)

 

[slicheri93]

depends, if you get drunk easily, it's a bad choice, if you can drink some and don't get drunk, it's fine as long as you know your limits of drinking and it wont affect your playing at all

 

[No Bologna]

Poker and alcohol

I always drink beer when I play poker. I like to loosen up and socialize, it's fun. Gotta stay under control though. To much and you start thinking any card you need will show up, and we all know odds are it won't. I find my happy place and maintain, Sometimes I switch to a soft drink or coffee to keep a level head and then go back to beer after a while.

 

[roberto51]

I never drink alcohol while playing

 

[TerryBLE]

As poker is a game that requires concentration, I don't advise, but if you knowing and respecting your own limits, maybe one or two. :smile:

 

[fernandofcp]

I consider alcohol an excellent drink for the poker player who is my opponent. By the way, may my opponent drink a lot and be very happy. I will also be very happy winning a lot of chips and focusing on the game, but I will be sober without drinking alcohol.

 

[Rost]

I think poker and alcohol are a bad combination. If I drink alcohol I never play poker. Alcohol interferes with concentration and therefore only contributes to wrong decisions.

 

[GRIN281289]

Alcohol and poker are incompatible things, at any moment you can lose control over the game. I always play sober, only tea or coffee

 

[Branimir84]

In online poker is a horrible mix. In live poker, there could be some fringe cases where it might work for some depending on their table company and their personality under the influence.

But I would never do it, nor ever recommend it. Expensive.

 

[TheNutz4You]

bad idea imo. maybe some can consume within reason, but myself better off with none.

 

[dreamer13]

Alcohol is an integral part of the life of most poker players, regardless of their level. Offline players and those who play poker for fun are more likely to drink alcohol regularly. Those who play professionally experience a lot of stress and often use alcohol to get rid of this stress. Many poker players have faced this problem. This is a personal matter for each person. It all depends on your goals in life and how you want to live it. The choice is entirely yours.

 

[wavetune]

what a strange topic, alcohol is a bad habit, alcohol is not compatible with anything, it only harms, those who think that alcohol relaxes they are wrong, I can’t imagine a successful poker player who drinks while playing

 

[Newzooozooo]

Hi.
In general, I am categorically against alcohol. In my opinion, alcohol is evil. And I have no doubt that the combination of alcohol and poker will lead to losses, frustration and even alcohol dependence.
Good luck.

 

[ACE448]

Looks like plenty of useful feedback in this thread. I am quite surprised more people don't drink whilst playing, but it's good to see the response here the way it is. Every body is different and some more tolerable than others. For example I know if I had 1 lager/cider I would be fine and I doubt it would alter the way I play at all. When playing for fun with friends this is totally acceptable. I would never play for money or even play chips online whilst drinking though...not even 1...just wouldn't do it regardless of whether it affected me or not. Who knows if 1 will lead to 5 or 6:cheers:

 

[natsgrampy]

Much to my demise, there are many days when I play online I will partake of alcohol. I usually play small stakes online and consider it fun time. I only play once or twice a week lately and having some beer whilst I play is part of the entertainment.
On the other hand, in live play I try to drink only water. I won't even drink coffee. There is much more money at stake and I have to concentrate.
I have no issues with anyone who wishes to drink in a live game so long as they are respectful of all those around them.
Especially the dealers who tend to get the worst of a drunk.

 

[Chris1303]

It make my game become great. I become a poker god. Haha. Well that’s what I think at least. One or two drinks mellow me out and improve my patience. More tend to make me slightly rebellious which tends to make me worse at the game.

 

[I Live Poker]

I would like to ask people for the sake of interest how alcohol affects you and making your decisions when you play poker

Anything affects anything, it just depends on whether there is one affected.

 

[hilary antonik filho]

unfortunately I won't be able to answer, I don't drink, what I usually drink during a poker game is juice, milk, soda, and water

 

[aissam18]

Ofc it will it's alcohol it affects everything not only poker

 

[alison]

I think it's worse because alcohol can change your line of play and you play in the wrong ways