Playing Setup and Health
 

This is a quasi PSA thread and perhaps it will turn into something slightly more useful.

I know that we sometimes tend to focus entirely on the details of hands, but one thing that can easily go overlooked is a player's computer setup. Many of those who play full-time go the extra mile to ensure that they have the proper setup and accessories to ensure their body functions at its peak while playing and doesnt suffer any ill effects from the many hours logged in a relatively similar position.

I don't know how many of the other do and I just wanted to take a moment to remind people to think about it some. Especially those that play 25+ hours a week consistantly.

I do this particularly because I have recently began to encounter moderate problems in my mouse arm, which relates in significant part (if not entirely) due to my poker play and poor setup. The details are relatively unimportant and its not as if I've lost the use of anything, but ensuring that I have a proper setup is something I always said I'd do next week or the next time I hit a big rush. Now, after 4 years of play, I've finally realized that perhaps it is something that needed more attention earlier. Now I am facing a variety of symptoms that really restrict play of any significant length of time and even while not at a computer I have problems.

So, please consider reviewing your setup and perhaps those that play full-time can share some of their pictures/items used/etc to help the process.

Evening PSA by your friendly host

Re: Playing Setup and Health
 

http://content.etilize.com/Large/10037090.jpg

the logitech trackball changed my life. no more tired or sore wrist ever. as for setup i play on a laptop sitting in my reclinger, and use a lapdesk to hold the comp and mouse

Re: Playing Setup and Health
 

This is a repost of a post I made in the chat thread about a week or two ago:

[ QUOTE ]
Congratulations to me - I've made Carpal/Tunnel.

The condition that is, rather than the number of posts. Can anyone link me to the post someone made about good mice/wrist supports?



[/ QUOTE ]

I started to get this several years ago. Not quite to the point where I had to seek medical attention, but, I had a hard time spreading my fingers flat and couldn't make a real fist. Came on quite suddenly and was pretty scary.

The first thing you really need to do is completely reassess your work environment. In my case, most of my trouble was caused by sitting too far away from my desk. My desk at work was quite narrow and if I sat right close to my desk, my knees would hit the wall. So I was sitting far away from the desk, and having to stretch my arms out when typing. Pulling my desk about 6 inches out from the wall helped an awful lot as I could sit in close and wouldn't have to extend my arms.

I also started doing exercises at my desk, constantly, stuff like this:

http://www.carpaltunnelexercises.net

In particular, every half hour (at least) I would drop my arms to the sides of my chair and shake my hands and fingers for a minute or so to loosen everything up.

I also started squeezing a stress ball constantly (both hands, obv). Took that thing with me everywhere. You want a stress ball that gives some resistance, not one that's total mush. Use a tennis ball or rubber ball if that's all that's handy.

It took me a couple months for things to return to normal, but I haven't had a problem for at least 5 years.

Re: Playing Setup and Health
 

[ QUOTE ]
http://content.etilize.com/Large/10037090.jpg

the logitech trackball changed my life. no more tired or sore wrist ever. as for setup i play on a laptop sitting in my reclinger, and use a lapdesk to hold the comp and mouse

[/ QUOTE ]

[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]

I got to the point that I had couldn't play some days and/or couldn't play as long, until I bought this -- I use a TV tray [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]. They also make cordless versions.

I started squeezing a stress ball as well.

Re: Playing Setup and Health
 

also, any of you who work at a decent size company should be able to get some info on this from your hr department

also, thanks for the PSA berge, sorry to hear you're in pain. feel better soon, I hope.

Re: Playing Setup and Health
 

I have one mouse for my right hand and one for my left and don´t use one hand all of the time.

Re: Playing Setup and Health
 

A really comfy chair deffo helps too.. I opted for a this >>>

http://www.myvisualdiary.com/simao/LaraChair2.jpg

being comfortable helps me to play longer.. however universal balance is maintained by the baby that reduces how long i can play

Re: Playing Setup and Health
 

Simon, with a distraction that wonderful I'm not sure how you ever have time to play. She is precious!

Re: Playing Setup and Health
 

full tilt shortcuts

comfortable ergonomic chair that has back support and forces you to sit up straight.

mesh back chairs are nice.

take breaks every hour and do jumping jacks, or take a quick jog around the block.

mousepad with gel wrist-pad can be good.

wrist pad for keyboard also good.

look away from monitor at something far away as often as possible, doing this on break helps also.

stretching and exercising regularly do wonders, dont become an atrophied, pimply-assed, goblin with CTS!

Re: Playing Setup and Health
 

[ QUOTE ]
Simon, with a distraction that wonderful I'm not sure how you ever have time to play. She is precious!

[/ QUOTE ]

[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] QFT [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]

Re: Playing Setup and Health
 

[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]full tilt shortcuts
[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]comfortable ergonomic chair that has back support and forces you to sit up straight.
[img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]take breaks every hour and do jumping jacks, or take a quick jog around the block. (if i am playing 2 hours straight i stop every hour for 2-3 minutes - then get back to it if i have time)
[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]mousepad with gel wrist-pad can be good.
[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]wrist pad for keyboard also good.
[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img]look away from monitor at something far away as often as possible, doing this on break helps also. (have not tried this)
[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]I do some yoga too which helps to relax for life in general and step back from the immediacy of daily life

Re: Playing Setup and Health
 

A good chair is a must for me as I have a bad back. I would also say that having a good balance between poker and life in general is the right way to approach it. I know how easy a 2 hour online session turns into a 4-5 hour session and very heavy eyelids the next day.

Re: Playing Setup and Health
 

I've been searching for a new desk for a while now and didn't realize it would be so difficult. First, many desks have that monitor "shelf" that's basically worthless since any LCD with a stand is now higher than eye level and constantly looking upward will cause neck pain over time.

Second, most desks if they have a keyboard/mouse shelf at all, are still too high to use comfortably. The only way to get your arm at a height that doesn't contribute to shoulder pain is to crank your chair up so high your legs barely reach the floor (and I'm 6'1").

If anyone knows of a place that sells a good ergonomic desk, please let me know. At this point I'm about to take a stab at building one on my own.


As far as ergonomic mice are concerned, 3M makes one that looks rather odd as you are twisting your arm into the more natural handshake position in order to use it. I'm haven't tried it but people who use it seem to like it.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...eL._AA115_.jpg

Also, a lot of people like this Evoluent mouse.

Re: Playing Setup and Health
 

I just bought a logtech mouse, my ball is on the top, so I can use either hand. Id definitely recommend that. Someone once recommended the "evoluent vertical mouse"
Im planning on ordering that next and plan on rotating different mouse.
My chair sucks!

Re: Playing Setup and Health
 

recommend comfortable chairs. I want to buy new one and probably doing that tommorow. Any recommends, guidelines?

Re: Playing Setup and Health
 

i need a good desk chair. i'm sitting in a crappy one now. my setup isn't all that clean and i'm using a folding table, not even a real desk.

one thing i recommend is getting out and exercising! do a session in the morning, then go work out, then shower and play again. i just feel better, i feel like i'm healthy. it gives me a positive mindset about life in general and that translates to better play at the table. when you feel good about yourself and what you've accomplished for the day, it's harder to tilt from bad beats.

i dislike working out personally, but i enjoy playing tennis. that's something i try to do several times a week.

Re: Playing Setup and Health
 

Monitors are very important and correct lighting.

I am sure most serious players have LCD flat screens, but if anyone is still playing with CRT screens, you really need to invest in an LCD flat screen because the flicker/ refresh of CRT screens really strain your eyes.

Reagrdless of what kind of screen you use. Take an "eye break" every hour or so, and focus on something far away in the distance, then close, then far etc.

Re: Playing Setup and Health
 

These chairs are good, it's what I use. Also ask on the internet forum, those guys know there stuff.

Aeron Chairs

Re: Playing Setup and Health
 

I have a large table for a desk and use a recliner with attatched appliance wheels for a chair. I can sit in this thing for 12hrs easy with a 5min break for bathroom/ice/etc. I have had this set up for 4yrs and havent had any physical effects from it, Must be good then.

For eye strain, I keep the brightness level real low (18/100) so my eyes never really bother me.

Re: Playing Setup and Health
 

Any1 try out a bungee cord chair?