Poker Pitfalls: The Dangers of Drunk and Tired Gaming

Alexander Polivanov writes about the challenges poker players face when they are tired, distracted, or drunk. Playing poker while drunk can lead to significant losses and poor decision-making. This often starts with a desire to continue the evening's activities, such as watching a match and drinking with friends, and ends with a quick loss of a substantial part of one's bankroll. The alcohol's energy gradually wears off, leading to fatigue and poor decisions, such as pushing with AQ on the bubble of an MTT and losing after a coinflip.

Playing poker after work to avoid traffic can also result in poor performance and losses. This situation is similar to playing drunk poker, with the added constraint of limited time. Fast Forward tournaments on Party Poker are mentioned as a way to quickly play poker. The ideal scenario is to double up with two aces and go home slightly happier, but when the cards don't cooperate, frustration sets in, leading to tilt and further losses.

Both situations share similarities: in neither can one show their best game, resulting in negative expectations. However, drunk poker teaches nothing except that drinking is bad, while playing after work can be a valuable lesson. Fatigue, a distracting work environment, and thoughts about work are all factors that can lead to tilt. Playing after work can help build immunity to these factors and learn to play under conditions of increased tilt susceptibility.