Drugs and poker
 

Last January I was prescribed Adderall because I have (legit) ADD. I found that my poker playing skills increased remarkably when I took Adderall before playing poker. I not only recieved benefits from the primary effect of the drug, increased focus, but also in near elimination of fatigue during long sessions and an increase in aggression. Tough decisions tha would normally have me very nervous have now become very simple and easy. I now take adderall before I play cards. Adderall is a strong amphetamine.

I have heard of pros taking uppers for long tournaments but I had never really given it much thought until now. I believe taking uppers gives an advantage in poke that increases the longer the session goes on(assuming everyone else is there as long as the player).

Does anyone have any experience with this?

I think it also brings up an issue of ethics. Uppers give poker players an advantage but they can also be dangerous in the long and short run, much like steroids. I compare this wth steroids because from my experience Adderall gives me a very profound advantage at the table much like steroids would to an athlete.

Should there be drug testing before tournaments?

I realize this would be near impossible for very large tournaments like the WSOP ME but it could be feasable for smaller tournaments like the WPT.

I am curious about how people feel about this.

Re: Drugs and poker
 

I don't mind 'performance enhancers', and if you think it gives you an edge, then go for it.

I'm a fan of stimulants, but I also want to try Inderal and modafinil in the near future.

I really don't think it's comparable to the steroid situation in sports, however.

Edit: I also have no idea how I ended up in this forum wtf.

Edit2: To elaborate further, I also have no real problem with steroid/other use in sports, unless it's been specified that such use isn't acceptable under whatever guidelines are in place. I'm all for pushing the human body to it's limits, and then beyond them.

Re: Drugs and poker
 

poker is about judgement (as well as math but we will leave that part out.) any drug is going to affect your judgement. you say you become more aggressive. aggression is good but to an extent. the uppers just make it easier to push the raise button; so does alcohol. do you try to bully? obsevant players will notice this. im willing to say you become impatient when getting cold decked. also tilt easier. as far as endurance contests are concerned, coffee is legal to all and works just as well in suffiant quantities.

no, there should not be drug testing at tournies. its -EV for straight players and this is coming from someone who likes a couple hits of herb on occasion when playing.

Re: Drugs and poker
 

I love my coffee and all but I hate having to take a piss like 6 times an hour in the quantities necessary to stay alert.

Re: Drugs and poker
 

hook me up with a $few$ of them and i'll give you my opinion.

Re: Drugs and poker
 

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I love my coffee and all but I hate having to take a piss like 6 times an hour in the quantities necessary to stay alert.

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Re: Drugs and poker
 

I am sure a lot of poker players use drugs in one form or another. There is a price for everything. Use in moderation!!! Treat drugs with respect and watch vigilantly for signs of addiction. Set limits for frequency and duration. Realize that these drugs cause premature metabolic aging.

I am against drug testing.

Re: Drugs and poker
 

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Realize that these drugs cause premature metabolic aging.

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Very very interesting. would you elaborate on this or link or soemthing? Now that you mention it hard core drug addicts really do look so freakin old.

Re: Drugs and poker
 

If you have ADD, then adderall may help your poker playing. It does not follow that it will necessarily help a player who does not have ADD.

Re: Drugs and poker
 

I'd be more worried about the long term health effects

Re: Drugs and poker
 

[ QUOTE ]
I am sure a lot of poker players use drugs in one form or another. There is a price for everything. Use in moderation!!! Treat drugs with respect and watch vigilantly for signs of addiction. Set limits for frequency and duration. Realize that these drugs cause premature metabolic aging.

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poker players are probably one of the worst groups of people to use drugs b/c of their addictive/competitive personalities.

Re: Drugs and poker
 

as long as u use in moderation i think it is fine, i would say just use for large tournies. They can be hard to kick and this would be bad for your heatlh.

DRUGS AND POKER DON\'T MIX!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

Remember that old sketch from Saturday Night Live?

John, took amphetamines. He played his trip aces too fast!

Dan smoked weed. He thought his 3 was an eight and he didn't really have a straight!

Re: Drugs and poker
 

I was also diagnosed with ADD and take ritalin. It really helps improve my focus during longer sessions. My roommate, who also plays, tried one once, and said that he couldnt feel any difference.

Re: Drugs and poker
 

captzeebo wrote in his blog about the same thing that it seemed to help him out and he was prescibed these drugs. I used to take these drugs back in the day when I was a kid and judging from the effects Id have a problem thinking about the long term effects and the addictive qualities they have. I had a friend who used to steal bottles from other people and take tons of pills to get high. Hopefully u dont have a problem with them though.

Re: Drugs and poker
 

I play live. I take speed. It is +ev for many reasons:

1) I'm not so impatient. It's easy to fold rags again and again without getting frustrated.

2) I focus better. I forget the world around me and concentrate on my table only.

3) Obviously it helps me play longer. 20+ hours is quite easy, and I'm playing good poker for the vast majority of that time.

I guess for some people its a big deal, even unethical. I don't really care. I want your money, and this helps me win it. Ship it.

Re: Drugs and poker
 

its more likely that you will notice a difference much more than someone who doesn't usually take them or requires them.
I also agree with the post about poker players having addictive personalities etc

Re: Drugs and poker
 

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I play live. I take speed. It is +ev for many reasons:

1) I'm not so impatient. It's easy to fold rags again and again without getting frustrated.

2) I focus better. I forget the world around me and concentrate on my table only.

3) Obviously it helps me play longer. 20+ hours is quite easy, and I'm playing good poker for the vast majority of that time.

I guess for some people its a big deal, even unethical. I don't really care. I want your money, and this helps me win it. Ship it.

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i'm curious, when you say speed do you mean meth?

how often do you need to take it to keep the effect?

how do you injest it, snort in the bathroom?

has anyone ever suspected you of being geeked out or anything like that? what about poker room mgmt, ever get hassled or hear stories of ppl getting hassled about this?

Re: Drugs and poker
 

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i'm curious, when you say speed do you mean meth?

how often do you need to take it to keep the effect?

how do you injest it, snort in the bathroom?

has anyone ever suspected you of being geeked out or anything like that? what about poker room mgmt, ever get hassled or hear stories of ppl getting hassled about this?

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Yeah, amphetamines. I guess terminology varies.

I just wander into the bathroom every couple of hours and take a line or two.

I don't know whether people suspect it or not, certainly I'm not the only one to do it - I know a few friends who are regulars that do it too.

No, management doesn't seem to know or care.

Re: Drugs and poker
 

[ QUOTE ]
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i'm curious, when you say speed do you mean meth?

how often do you need to take it to keep the effect?

how do you injest it, snort in the bathroom?

has anyone ever suspected you of being geeked out or anything like that? what about poker room mgmt, ever get hassled or hear stories of ppl getting hassled about this?

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Yeah, amphetamines. I guess terminology varies.

I just wander into the bathroom every couple of hours and take a line or two.

I don't know whether people suspect it or not, certainly I'm not the only one to do it - I know a few friends who are regulars that do it too.

No, management doesn't seem to know or care.

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Ah, mind if I ask.. is that methamphetamine or just plane amphetamine? The effects you describe seem to me to be a little more like amphetamines but Meth(methamphetamine) is a little more popular where I am at.

Re: Drugs and poker
 

An alternative to drugs:

I would like to say that back in my chess days I noticed a sudden jump up in chess rating, alertness, focus and gaming stamina when I decided to eat properly, get regular excercise and start taking some natural health products and vitamins. I had a different account I played when I was smoking weed but the rating was MUCH lower.