Should you ever play poker while "under the influence"?

[uptrendfinancialsignal]

I was at a friend’s birthday and they were joking about playing after drinks. That is not a bravery approach. I once tried a small beer before a session and I was overconfident for no reason, I made a series of mistakes. I learnt quietly that mixing alcohol and strategy do not align.

 

[Bawse]

Honestly I believe it helps me play better, if I have a buzz going, because I don't get bored playing poker when I'm drinking, so I have more patience.

 

[Shawn]

It really all depends on the casino you’re playing at.

State regulators might have specific rules in place for patrons who use alcoholic beverages at a casino.

For example, in Illinois, you cannot be allowed to play while showing signs of obvious intoxication.

A COA may be issued. That means Cut Off Alcohol and you’ll either be allowed to play or 86ed for the night if they deem you drunk.

Casinos have to comply or be fined for not complying.

IMO, a drunk gambling isn’t a good idea. It’s a good way to spend all your money and be in a bad situation if you lose it all.

 

[Bawse]

I do, but if I'm drinking I'll make sure I don't overdue it, or play bigger games. Nothing that would put me on tilt, because I know it's easier for me to steam off my chips if I'm drunk.

It's fun to drink, and play poker. I smoke when I play too.

 

[BenMachineSmith]

I think it depends on the context.

So for most players who play casually, drinking doesnt matter, since your aim isnt to maximize how much you can win.

For anybody who is actively trying to win, then for most part, you shouldnt play under the influence. The game is one of the most complex things period! So to do that, directly affects your main goal! I would put this under the same header as playing tired, playing with no bankroll, playing without preparing, or playing when youre tilted.

 

[uptrendfinancialsignal]

I do, but if I'm drinking I'll make sure I don't overdue it, or play bigger games. Nothing that would put me on tilt, because I know it's easier for me to steam off my chips if I'm drunk.

It's fun to drink, and play poker. I smoke when I play too.

Alcohol and strategy games do not mix well at all. It’s the same thing as trying to calculate numbers when your head isn’t clear. That small fog in the brain turns simple folds into an expensive mistakes.

 

[Ja sa bong]

If you can hold your liquor or any other substances you take without losing control, I don't see anything wrong with using them before playing or even at the poker table. James Bond in Casino Royale ordered for this drink ;

"Three measures of Gordon’s gin, one measure of vodka, half a measure of Kina Lillet, shaken over ice with a thin slice of lemon peel".

 

[Henry]

I was at a friend’s birthday and they were joking about playing after drinks. That is not a bravery approach. I once tried a small beer before a session and I was overconfident for no reason, I made a series of mistakes. I learnt quietly that mixing alcohol and strategy do not align.

That is risky and I can only play poker when drunk, if there is no cash involved and we are all playing offline for fun. Aside from that, I can never try doing such.

 

[Maya]

I like to sip wine when I am gambling but I sip just to set a mood and not to be too much intoxicated. I don't think you should play when you are under the influence of any stimulants

 

[poker]

There are actually some persons who can play while under the influence of alcohol and are still able to control themselves and their actions. So if you know you can handle yourself I don't see any reason why not? But it's best not to be under the influence.

 

[Heatman]

There's a friend of mine who doesn't go into the exam hall to write any exam without being under the influence of either booze or Cannabis. It stir his brains for him to remember. Maybe it's the same for those who do the same to play poker.

 

[Nomad]

Are you playing for money? Well, avoid playing strictly when you are under the influence. For a game like Poker, you need to think and plan, and when you are under influence, you might not be able to do it.

 

[Henry]

There's a friend of mine who doesn't go into the exam hall to write any exam without being under the influence of either booze or Cannabis. It stir his brains for him to remember. Maybe it's the same for those who do the same to play poker.

I can understand when anyone smokes before playing poker, but drinking alcohol to the point that it influences your decision-making might not be the best move at all.

 

[Shortie]

As much as drinking alcohol whilst playing poker can result in a good time, it can also mean that you can make decisions when playing poker without thinking, and that can all too often result in losses that could have been avoided.

I personally would rather play poker without drinking alcohol.

 

[Bawse]

I can understand when anyone smokes before playing poker, but drinking alcohol to the point that it influences your decision-making might not be the best move at all.

Sometimes alcohol helps me from making bad decisions.

 

[Ace]

No, it’s generally a bad idea.

Poker depends on clear thinking, discipline, and emotional control. Alcohol or any other influence lowers judgment, increases impulsive decisions, and makes tilt more likely. Even small mistakes add up quickly, so it’s hard to play your best or protect your bankroll.