Marijuana and Poker: are they compatible?

[Phenom604]

I was wondering peoples opinions on whether or not you can be a successful and improving poker player AND also be a weed smoker. I do find that it helps to relax me when I'm stressed out, and this helps to alleviate some crushing defeats so in that way it does help my poker game.

On the other side, at times I'm felt left feeling a bit 'foggy' the next day. There are the claims that marijuana affects your memory and braincells also, but I'm not always sure what to believe regarding marijuana. There are all these medical claims, and all the claims denying the effects, but both sides argue so passionately, that its hard to know what is true.

There are also the claims marijuana decreases your ambition and makes you more lazy. These effects can also deter one's success in poker.

Please let me know what you guys honestly think regarding this issue. I'd love to hear your opinions.

[OMGuraBOT]

I think for most people it will have a negative effect on their game. However, for someone that is anxious and that anxiety causes them to tilt easier it may be beneficial. I was a heavy smoker for years (recently quit) and I know I played worse when high. I would make bad reads and have a worse concept of position and blinds in tourneys. But I don't know, people react so differently to marijuana that it really depends on the person.

[syncmaster]

[ QUOTE ]
I was wondering peoples opinions on whether or not you can be a successful and improving poker player AND also be a weed smoker. I do find that it helps to relax me when I'm stressed out, and this helps to alleviate some crushing defeats so in that way it does help my poker game.

On the other side, at times I'm felt left feeling a bit 'foggy' the next day. There are the claims that marijuana affects your memory and braincells also, but I'm not always sure what to believe regarding marijuana. There are all these medical claims, and all the claims denying the effects, but both sides argue so passionately, that its hard to know what is true.

There are also the claims marijuana decreases your ambition and makes you more lazy. These effects can also deter one's success in poker.

Please let me know what you guys honestly think regarding this issue. I'd love to hear your opinions.

[/ QUOTE ]

Both "claims" you mentioned are ture.. Do u not notice them urself from smoking? If you get past these "side affects" and control the drug everything is fine.. If you find urself getting stoned and wanting to play Xbox the rest of the day, its most likely a problem. If you can smoke between 4 sessions spread thoughout the day and not lose motivation, then your fine. Also remember drugs affect each person differently, only you can tell if its affects are -EV on you and how much so.

For me, I only really had a problem with lazyness. Setting goals has helped me overcome this. I might be a slightly better player if I quit all together, you might too. If you really need to decide quit for a month and see how you play.

**If I remember correctly, the THC blocks (slows down) the blood from getting thru your brain which produces the high. I don't think it kills brain cells.. someone correct me if I'm wrong.

[AlienBoy]

[ QUOTE ]
**If I remember correctly, the THC blocks (slows down) the blood from getting thru your brain which produces the high. I don't think it kills brain cells.. someone correct me if I'm wrong.

[/ QUOTE ]

No, the "high" is produced by THC receptors in the brain.

Also, THC is non-toxic, and does NOT kill brain cells.


AB

[holyfield5]

ummm dont play high?

being a smoker wont affect your game if you are doing it after your sessions not before. Im sure a majority of poker players smoke.

the stuff about losing motivation and becomming lazy is propoganda.

[luckyjimm]

[ QUOTE ]
I was wondering peoples opinions on whether or not you can be a successful and improving poker player AND also be a weed smoker. I do find that it helps to relax me when I'm stressed out, and this helps to alleviate some crushing defeats so in that way it does help my poker game.

On the other side, at times I'm felt left feeling a bit 'foggy' the next day. There are the claims that marijuana affects your memory and braincells also, but I'm not always sure what to believe regarding marijuana. There are all these medical claims, and all the claims denying the effects, but both sides argue so passionately, that its hard to know what is true.

There are also the claims marijuana decreases your ambition and makes you more lazy. These effects can also deter one's success in poker.

Please let me know what you guys honestly think regarding this issue. I'd love to hear your opinions.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah man

[_Towelie_]

During the day, when I do pretty much all of my grinding, I stay off the weed. There's no way that I can consistently make the right decisions across 10 tables while stoned. I get blazed pretty much every night and find that I can competently play in a couple of mtts or one cash game - anything more than that and I'm asking for trouble.

[sonneti]

I'm addicted to the nicotene in the joints I roll (grass and berekley menthols.. aka Dot Cotton Specials) so I end up getting blazed most of the day. I tried smoking bongs but everytime I did that I couldnt look at the monitor without getting tunnel vision.

Overall it effects my memory, I can't really recall how a player played a hand more than a few seconds ago... sometimes my mind goes blank during a hand aswell. The plus side is I can play all day!!

I think the best drug for me has been alcohol... I've hit more final tables when I've been wasted than I have been sober.

[pfapfap]

If you're playing below your level, you can probably get away with it. I tend to smoke at my fish-heavy home games, and do well. However, the nights I stay sober I tend to do better.

While looking over the league stats for my monthly 3-table tourneys, I've noticed the potheads dominate the leaderboard. Of course, we also tend to smoke a bunch during the early insane unlimited rebuy period, slow down as antes kick in, and stop entirely on the final table.

I'll sometimes show up at a cardroom coming down from a buzz, and occasionally have a drink or two later on, but I've so far not gone out to the parking lot for a smoke mid-session as a lot of people do. But then, I'm still a small stakes player and am trying very hard to be a winner at it. Once I've logged enough hours to be comfortable with my ability, my attitudes may change.

[Al Mirpuri]

You are dumb.

You have admitted to carrying out a crimimal offence (if you are British or American).

Marijuana and the law: are they compatible?