No matter what at level you play, poker is a game that requires little physical exertion. For the most part, it is a game of the mind and calls upon the player to use their nous to calculate the various different permutations and intricacies of poker strategy.
The more casual players among us may even enjoy a poker night at our buddies’ house every now again. This will often involve snacks and a few drinks, which means that we’re even less likely to start doing pull-ups between the flop and the river. However, there is a body of thought to suggest that committing to a healthy lifestyle can be beneficial to your poker playing. But just how important can a healthy lifestyle be for your poker game?
Sedentary Hobbies Also Burn Calories
In a study shared by Men’s Health magazine, Stanford University researcher Robert Sapolsky explained that elite chess players can burn up to 6,000 calories a day while competing in major tournaments. Chess and poker are two sides of the same coin when it comes to the concentration and thought levels required for each game, and therefore it follows that poker players will also experience a similar physical workout.
The well-documented connection between the body and the mind means that poker players in poor physical shape are likely to experience a decline in their mental faculties as a game wears on. If you consider that top-level athletes only burn around 3,000 calories running a marathon, the importance of physical health to a poker player quickly becomes apparent.
Lasting Power and Concentration
In order to improve your poker game, regular practice is essential. The rise of online casino platforms has meant that it’s now easier than ever to hone your skills from your tablet or mobile device. In addition to this, review and comparison platforms such as Bonus Finder New Zealand, for which you can launch site here, make it extremely easy to navigate to the variant of poker you desire as well as find enticing offers to try new providers.
However, after hours on the practice or match table, waning concentration can be the difference between a win or a loss. To this end, a balanced and healthy diet can help to ensure that your brain stays sharp and active for as long as possible. As an article on the Health Line website demonstrates, there are a number of foods that can boost your brainpower and give you the best possible chance at the poker table.
Taking Care of Yourself Off The Table
If the cards are against you, winning a game of poker can be difficult, although it’s still possible in this mind sport. In the same vein, you may find yourself playing against formidable opponents and experiencing the effects of tilt. When you’ve got tilt, it’s almost impossible to be successful on the card table. Worrying about past performance is pointless and mentally taxing. Learning from it is, of course, good, but don’t let it get the better of you.
However, there are things that you can control – getting the right amount of sleep and physical exercise, drinking plenty of water, for instance. These well-being staples are things that you can do in order to put yourself in the right frame of mind for a game of poker. Physical exercise in particular has been linked to higher levels of happiness and serotonin production, and the happiest players play their best poker.
If All Else Fails…
When all is said and done, there are a number of different variables and factors which affect the game of poker. Although a healthy lifestyle is certainly beneficial to your poker playing, it doesn’t necessarily guarantee you any more success.
However, if all else fails, it certainly can’t hurt to get yourself in better physical shape. All in all, taking care of both your body and mind is a no-lose situation, whether you aim to be a poker superstar or not.
