Any food alternatives for those super long sessions?
 

I've been trying to cut down my sessions to a couple hours max but it just hasnt been working out. So lately ive been these super sick long sessions at the hawaiian gardens 8/16. Cause when you get stuck, you gotta grind it back.

just yesterday, i had a 17 hour session. played from 11pm on monday and quit at like 4pm on tues. Was down $300 right at the start, then went on a little heater and came up over $500, then amazing i lost the $500 and then got stuck a rack by started getting coolered and dwindled down, and then finally got up over $300 and left. It was insane. Also this past weekend i had a TWENTY FOUR HOUR session. It was soooo fugen miserable. Was stuck $600 and got even.

So anyways, when i play these sick sessions, i get hungary every few hours. The only food you can get is the service. Now dont get me wrong, the food menu at HG is actually quite exquisite but that adds up quick. For example, if during a 12 hour session, you eat every 3 hours, thats 4 orders. And at about $7 an order, thats $28. Doesnt sound like much but its alot and it adds up fast.

Also when im sitting at the table playing, its such a hassle to be eating a meal. You're constantly turning around to cut the food on your trey, and then turning back to see your cards and watch the action, your hands are also dirty from the chips and cards etc etc. But I dont want to sit out just to eat, i dont want to miss any hands, i want to see as many hands as possible, thats why im there. Alot of times ill starve myself just because i dont want to deal with the hassles of eating at the table.

Lately i've been thinking about some alternatives to this problem. I dont really need full meals, i just need something i can munch on throughout my session. I was actually thinking about bringing a lunch box/bag with me for my sessions. Pack it with a sandwich, pop tart, a banana, cookies, protein bar, or whatevers and a drink. This will at least keep me from starving and save me money from having to order food every few hours. Does anyone do this? How does everyone else deal with hunger at the tables?

Re: Any food alternatives for those super long sessions?
 

While I was down in Vegas for WSOP, I had a little book bag filled with cereal bars, nuts, and carrot sticks/celery sticks that held me over pretty well. I also kept my phone charger and Ipod charger in there as well.

Re: Any food alternatives for those super long sessions?
 

How much do you think a sandwich, pop tart, a banana, cookies, protein bar, or whatevers and a drink cost? I think you'll be spending $10 on that, so having 'exquisite' food only costs you an extra $18, which really isn't that much if you play 8/16 all day.

And about the hassle of eating, I can see how that can annoy you but I don't have a problem with eating at the tables (or just taking a dinner break for that matter). I suggest just leaving the table for 10 minutes to go get something to eat. Your chips, the fish and the game will still be there when you get back. I know it's hard to take a break when you're stuck but you need to get used to it. You'll come back refreshed as well. When you're playing these long sessions you need breaks anyway.

Re: Any food alternatives for those super long sessions?
 

Play at a casino that offers food comps.

Re: Any food alternatives for those super long sessions?
 

Bring a backpack that has food in it.

You can buy bottled water and use the water to blend shakes and then get a mini funnel and pour the shakes back into the bottled water bottles.

You can make protein/banana/nut etc mixes. You can drink/eat your meals very quickly every few hours.

Of course you can bring some solid food also. Cans of mixed nuts seem to work well.

Re: Any food alternatives for those super long sessions?
 

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Cans of mixed nuts seem to work well.

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Oily, salty nuts at a card table??? Why not go whole hog and just rip open a big bag of Cheetos and spew toxic orange dust all over everything?

Re: Any food alternatives for those super long sessions?
 

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Play at a casino that offers food comps.

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Really. I can't imagine paying for food at a poker room.

Re: Any food alternatives for those super long sessions?
 

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Quote:
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Play at a casino that offers food comps.


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Really. I can't imagine paying for food at a poker room.

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Tunica is the only place I play that really takes care of the poker player's food. Everywhere else I play you have to grind your sandwich out at 50-75 cents per hour.

Re: Any food alternatives for those super long sessions?
 

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Play at a casino that offers food comps.

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I haven't played limit at HG for a couple years but I think $10/$20 is in the VIP section and food is comped.

Re: Any food alternatives for those super long sessions?
 

I keep a Zone Perfect® bar or two in my pocket when I play. They work pretty good. I like the strawberry yogurt flavor but should switch to a chocolate flavor. A friend of mine is a pretty good tournament chess player. In the last year he was telling me the latest fad on the chess circuit was chocolate. The caffeine sharpens your acuity when you find yourself growing fatigued. A lot of the players keep a small chocolate bar handy for such moments. I guess the trick is not to take too much so that you don't come down after a sugar/caffeine rush.

Re: Any food alternatives for those super long sessions?
 

I think you have a condition called glue tilt. Whats wrong with sitting out an entire rotation when your food appears to enjoy your meal? I think your play will improve if you take at least a 10-15 minute break every 2 hours. Trust me on this one, on your next session take an out button when your food arrives.

You can get food comps at Hustler (6-12 Kill), Normandie (8-16 Kill), HP, and the Bike (8-16)

Re: Any food alternatives for those super long sessions?
 

[ QUOTE ]
I think you have a condition called glue tilt. Whats wrong with sitting out an entire rotation when your food appears to enjoy your meal? I think your play will improve if you take at least a 10-15 minute break every 2 hours. Trust me on this one, on your next session take an out button when your food arrives.

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If you're going to take an occasional break (which I agree is a good idea) better to eat your food while playing and take about a fifteen minute walk after. IMO few things are worse for your metabolism and body than sitting after eating.

~ Rick

Re: Any food alternatives for those super long sessions?
 

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So lately ive been these super sick long sessions at the hawaiian gardens 8/16. Cause when you get stuck, you gotta grind it back.

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Yeah, you never know which day HG might close down. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Seriously, eat less often; most people have less hunger when eating fewer carbs (e.g., have your sandwich with fruit instead of fries). Also you young guys need to get out of your seat once in a while and walk around before your legs turn to jelly.

As an aside IMO food at HG is the best of the major clubs but I agree it's a hassle eating in the wrong spots (the tables are too close together throughout most of the casino).

~ Rick

Re: Any food alternatives for those super long sessions?
 

Getting up for a 15-20 minute break and walking around every few hours is a great recommendation, regardless of what you choose to do regarding food.

Re: Any food alternatives for those super long sessions?
 

When I was living in Vegas for a while I had a small cooler that would fit a couple sandwiches, an ice pack, a banana, hand sanatizer, etc. It looked like a brief case and worked really well. I eat power bars, cereal bars and fruit. I get hungry every couple hours and when I'm hungry I don't play as well so I try to stay satisfied.

I'm thinking about getting a backpack and packing a lunch in tupperware.

Re: Any food alternatives for those super long sessions?
 

trail mix works for me

Re: Any food alternatives for those super long sessions?
 

[ QUOTE ]
Was down $300 right at the start, then went on a little heater and came up over $500, then amazing i lost the $500 and then got stuck a rack by started getting coolered and dwindled down, and then finally got up over $300 and left. It was insane.

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$500 swings back and forth at 8/16 is only 31BB's. I don't think this kind of variance can be described as 'insane'.
seems like your biggest swings were in the 50 bb range which still isn't that insane, is it?

Re: Any food alternatives for those super long sessions?
 

get some MRP bars or shakes, have a couple of those and maybe a couple food orders... bodybuilding.com is a good site to get them from

Re: Any food alternatives for those super long sessions?
 

mass quantities of Sherman cigs and coffee...u wont get hungry

Re: Any food alternatives for those super long sessions?
 

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mass quantities of Sherman cigs and coffee...u wont get hungry

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Word man!

Re: Any food alternatives for those super long sessions?
 

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get some MRP bars or shakes, have a couple of those and maybe a couple food orders... bodybuilding.com is a good site to get them from

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The promax bars are great - some of them taste like a candy bar but they have 20g protein. Eating a lot of protein/atkins style while playing should cut your appetite down a little.

I have also brought protein shakes in a shaker cup and just ordered water to pour right into the cup.

Re: Any food alternatives for those super long sessions?
 

Just quit stuck. It sounds like your winrate is being effected negatively by not quiting while your stuck. The game will be there the next day.

Re: Any food alternatives for those super long sessions?
 

You know they have a snack bar at HG. Pizza by the slice is $1.50 and they have some fruit and sandwiches on the cheap. Ice cream too. During the day, they usually have a hot dog stand selling dogs for $.99. If all else fails, just wait for the call of the "Kaaaahnndee" lady and buy a snickers off her for a buck.

There is also a taco place across the street if you are willing to go for a walk.

Re: Any food alternatives for those super long sessions?
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Cans of mixed nuts seem to work well.

[/ QUOTE ]

Oily, salty nuts at a card table??? Why not go whole hog and just rip open a big bag of Cheetos and spew toxic orange dust all over everything?

[/ QUOTE ]

I never said nuts AT the table. Just bring a plastic spoon with the nuts and when you are on a break from the table go sit down on a slot seat and eat.

Trust me, Not bringing food for a long session you either go hungry and lose focus or overpay the casino for junk food like pizza and chicken fingers. A little planning beforehand for food can go a long way towards winning.

Re: Any food alternatives for those super long sessions?
 

I sometimes bring my Zojirushi Jar and leave it in my car.

It keeps food hot or cold for a long time. You can pack an elaborate meal or just some instant brown rice and tuna or a ham and cheesr bagel and fruit or whatever.

Its nice to know I have a meal ready and I'll take a 30min break stretch my legs walking to and from my car.

http://www.zojirushi.com/ourproducts...mage/slxa1.jpg

Re: Any food alternatives for those super long sessions?
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Cans of mixed nuts seem to work well.

[/ QUOTE ]

Oily, salty nuts at a card table??? Why not go whole hog and just rip open a big bag of Cheetos and spew toxic orange dust all over everything?

[/ QUOTE ]

I never said nuts AT the table. Just bring a plastic spoon with the nuts and when you are on a break from the table go sit down on a slot seat and eat.

Trust me, Not bringing food for a long session you either go hungry and lose focus or overpay the casino for junk food like pizza and chicken fingers. A little planning beforehand for food can go a long way towards winning.

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I'll vouch for Packard, I've some of his posts in Health & Fitness. I'd also add:

Cliff bar
Fruit (banana, apple)
Miscellaneous protein bar

All easy to pack, easy to eat, better than crap casino will feed you.

If you're worried about some oil from nuts on the cards I'd suggest NOT thinking about where the hands have been of the other 9 players at your table (ie, bathroom....).

Re: Any food alternatives for those super long sessions?
 

Jamie Gold is pretty keen on the blueberries.

Re: Any food alternatives for those super long sessions?
 

Sooo true. I have meant to do this for a year now. I hope to get my ass in gear this weak and bring some food or some protein in a cup, then add water as one person suggested, great idea. MYOPLEX is really, really tasty too.

When I get hungry I get tired and when I get tired I either quit or I make mistakes. Too bad my home casino doesn't offer comps of any sort.

Does anyone have a recommendation of a bag/man purse I can bring that is insulated and doesn't look like a little cooler?

Re: Any food alternatives for those super long sessions?
 

well damn that's really nice! Is it only available online? If I packed 2 hot meals and one cold one, would they stay that way or would the hot ones get cold fast and the cold get a little warm?

Re: Any food alternatives for those super long sessions?
 

One of the best antioxidants.

Re: Any food alternatives for those super long sessions?
 

I recommend you try e-boost. I work with the company, we launched it at the WSOP Expo this year - so although my post's intentions are good its going to read a bit like an ad. I got clearance from the admin to post this first, care package of E-Boost coming your way Mat! [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

E-Boost is a vitamin supplement ala Emergen-C or Airborne which helps keep your immune system strong while playing, but E-Boost is filled with over 4,000% of the daily recommended allowance of Vitamin B12 which really puts it over the top and gives the player an experiance similar to a B12 shot. Additionally it contains torine (found in Red Bull and other energy drinks for mental stimulation), no sugar and no added caffeine (it contains green tea leaf which has traces of caffeine but not enough to experiance a crash lie you do when drinking Rockstar, Red Bull, or any other energy drinks). During the month of July people can buy E-Boost on the website for 25% off using the code word poker, if you like e-boost I'd appreciate a PM letting me know!

PS: Wynn poker room has free samples of e-boost, just ask the floor!

Re: Any food alternatives for those super long sessions?
 

Go home and eat something. This is like a meth addict asking for dental care advice. If you can't keep yourself from gambling for 24 hours straight, your problem probably isn't the cost of food.

Re: Any food alternatives for those super long sessions?
 

How does e-boost taste with vodka mixed in? I know how my red Bull fares, but the caffeine rush sometimes gives me a grimace that other players find upsetting.

Re: Any food alternatives for those super long sessions?
 

I didn't reed all the replies but I always bring three Cliff Bars with me. You can get a box of 24 at Costco for 18.99. They are tasty, good for you, and a clean eat.

Re: Any food alternatives for those super long sessions?
 

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How does e-boost taste with vodka mixed in? I know how my red Bull fares, but the caffeine rush sometimes gives me a grimace that other players find upsetting.

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I had two Red Bull and Vodka 'triples' in New Orleans once. That messed me up pretty badly.
At one point I was speculating on my chances of having a heart-attack.

Re: Any food alternatives for those super long sessions?
 

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How does e-boost taste with vodka mixed in? I know how my red Bull fares, but the caffeine rush sometimes gives me a grimace that other players find upsetting.

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"officially" I cannot comment on that, just like red Bull used to not comment about their product mixed with spirits when it launched in the UK. However I can tell you two things.

1) Lots of people were mixing it with Jim Beam products at the WSOP expo. We even stopped two knuckleheads from doing lines of E-Boost - now thats smart!

2) David Sklansky took E-Boost like a pixie stick without water - insane! I'd never do that! And yes, he earned a care package too [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Re: Any food alternatives for those super long sessions?
 

take a break. 20-30 minutes away from the table will do you good during those marathon sessions.

Why do you feel that you have to play "every hand?" I can understand exceptional circumstances (when the table is extremely good, and the fish are jumping) but other than that there is really no reason why you cannot get away from the table for 30-45 minutes to relax, eat and take a walk.

Do you have to travel a long ways to where you play? That seems to get people in trouble, when they feel like they have to play every minute and every hand. I see this a lot in AC where people are sometimes driving 3-4 hours just to get there.

IMO playing long sessions with no breaks is a recipe for disaster in the long run.

Re: Any food alternatives for those super long sessions?
 

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Go home and eat something. This is like a meth addict asking for dental care advice. If you can't keep yourself from gambling for 24 hours straight, your problem probably isn't the cost of food.

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pretty much my thoughts.
It reads like, "OMGZZ. I'm so addicted to poker I can't figure out how to leave the table. But when I'm sitting there NOT GETTING UP AT ALL then I do actually get hungry on occasion. What should I do? This sucks. Eating is so hard."

Not unlike somebody peeing all over themself because they didn't want to break-away from the slot machine to go to the bathroom.

Re: Any food alternatives for those super long sessions?
 

well boys and girls, it happened again earlier today(yesterday). I am such a sick sick degen.

So on sunday, after watching 2 bomb azz shows back-to-back, The 4400 and Ice Road Truckers, I decide to hit up HG for some quick cash.

Arrive there about 2am(Monday) and theres like 5 8/16 games going, WITH a waiting list, sweet. I play 4/8 for like 5 mins then i get called up for my game.

The first pot i get involved in, its a kill pot, im in the BB with 75o, of course i call 2 more chips. 6 to the flop. Sexy flop of 9,8,6. Theres a flush draw out there. So I bet out, donk on my left raises, 2nd donk smoooth calls. I of course 3 bang dat [censored]. Now the 2nd donk caps. 3 ways capped on the flop, Action action, me likely. Turn bricks, 2 bets go in, still 3 players. And of course river pairs the board, i check call and the 2nd donk flopped a set with 99. Sick.

I can tell this first pot is indictive of the session im gonna have tonite. The next 4 hours i do not win a SINGLE pot and proceed to drop 6 hundo. I am just getting str8 coolered, getting 1 outted, no joke. Then im down 8 hundo. No problem, i've been here before.

I spot an action table and proceed to table change over. Then i hit a nice little heater rush. I grind back up and get within like $130 of breaking even. And of course i cant leave stuck, so i continue action.

I spot another action table, or what i thought to be an action table and hop over. Now this is where things fell apart. I lose a few pots here, table is nitty. I hop over to another table.

Get AKo, raise, 3 callers. Flop Q,10,X. BB donkey bets, i ray. He lee ray's. I call. Turn is a beautiful Jack. Donkey now check calls my bet. And river of course pairs the fuggen Queen, donkey donks and of course i have to pay off. Q,10, ni hand, send dat [censored].

I table change back to the original action table i was at, the one where i hit the nice little heater. A few of the same donks are still there. I proceed to drop a few more racks. But enough is enough, by 6pm on tuesday, i am getting sick tired and cant even stay awake. I was just disgusted and didnt feel like being there any more. Total damage, -$754. So so sick. From being down 800 to being down 130 to being down 750, thats like a $2000 swing, no? so sick.

Now we get to the food. I have not so recently discovered that there is a little deli type place where they sell pizza, sandwich, salads, etc. Sometimes they dont have pizza. This time they didnt so i got the little french pastry desert dealie. Its only $1.50 and i also get the Odwalla juices which are $2.50. And i have discovered that they have this really good soup on the menu, the chicken vegetable. It was sick good, only $1.50. I dont know if its the soup of the day tho or if they have it everyday. O yea, they also have the hot dog stand. A dollar for a hot dog, not a bad deal. I ate one before I left.

Thats the story of my degen day. I think after this session today, ima take at least several days off, maybe even a few weeks. This degen lifestyle is just not healthy for me, physically nor mentally. Life tilt.

Re: Any food alternatives for those super long sessions?
 

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From being down 800 to being down 130 to being down 750, thats like a $2000 swing, no?

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me confused.