Anyone who plays 6h+ a day

After about2hours into my session I seem to love motivation and my mind begins wandering off, weather or not is has been a good session. Sometimes I can play longer but then it occurs. I would like to put in more time but I cant stay motivated. To anyone who plays 6+ hours per day I would like to know what is your approach to this game mentally, were you always able to play for long lengths of time or did you develop this endurace over time, if developed, how did you do it? My skilsl are good, but I just seem to lack the endurance, and I know if I could put in more time I could double or triple my earnings if I am able to maintain good play. I would like to know what is your approach before entering a long session. I heard some people meditate or hype themselves up before playing, but Im not sure.
Any tips or insights would be fantastic - Thank you for your time.

How about sitting out for ~15-30mins after 2h to get your blood flowing, some air and/or some hot food?As for me, I'm a marathon-player, but should really implement more short breaks to keep my game at 100% at all times.

i pulled an 11 hour session the other day, with a half hour break for food somewhere in the middle. This was at 25NL though, so i would assume the stamina required for high stakes is different... but if i'm pulling a ridiculously long session i make sure i'm really comfortable, i make sure i'm not at all tired, i have some small snackish food near by ie. some fruit. On that day i also had an energy drink bit by bit as the day passed by to keep me on the ball.

note: that day turned out to be one of my most frustrating poker days ever.. up $4 for 11 hours play.. due to an assortment of bad beats and bad desicions.

Are you boys lost? This is High Stakes Hold'em Tourney & Ring.

Originally Posted by arkana

Are you boys lost? This is High Stakes Hold'em Tourney & Ring.

i am aware of that.. thats why i said, this was at NL25 though.. as in not high stakes.. so it may be different.. but i think this particular subject would cross over with low stakes as it still takes alot of thinking and stamina to do a long session at low stakes, i dont know if its comparable to high stakes.. but ideas for keeping up your stamina are still going to be similar...

ofcourse i wouldn't make comment in here on a hand history, as i have no high stakes expierience.. but i also dont think low stakes players should be considered lost if they post in here.. are we not entitled to ask questions about high stakes?

No I just meant the thread is in the wrong place, if you want to discuss high stakes strategies then this is the place but it doesn't appear to be the topic.

i assumed that talented tom meant stamina in reference to playing at high stakes

{MOVED}

-'rilla

I would think it would be the same as any mentally challenging activity. Similar to studying or chess or whatever…anytime your brain is working full time but the body is not. The solutions I have used (for studying) is to take breaks when you feel the motivation slipping. 10/15 mins is often enough. Make sure you maintain adequate food intake for energy. When you do eat, make sure you get some food with instant energy like fruit (straight fructose/glucose conversion). Adequate sleep the night before also plays a vital role.

Has anyone found that playing long sessions for a few days in a row leads to wrist pain. It might just be the chair/desk set up i'm using but i'm definitely getting some soreness in my wrist from making lots of small precise movements with the mouse. How can i avoid this?

i was having this same problem, i got one of those mouse pads with a gel filled wrist rest that sorted me out, now i just get a pain in my knee lol

Originally Posted by Legendash

Has anyone found that playing long sessions for a few days in a row leads to wrist pain. It might just be the chair/desk set up i'm using but i'm definitely getting some soreness in my wrist from making lots of small precise movements with the mouse. How can i avoid this?

Yeah, its an ergonimic problem. Try and adjust everything properly. Look up ergonomics on what to do.

i used to get wrist pain from shuffling chips playing live so much. but i built up a resistance

Originally Posted by nme

i used to get wrist pain from shuffling chips playing live so much. but i built up a resistance

yes! A common fear among my friends is developing arthritis or carpel tunnel from shuffling chips. Does anyone know if this could acutally happen?

EDIT: Oh yeah, on topic. I could never stare at a computer screen for that long...I would go nuts! I have pulled 11hr+ sessions at a casino though, but there it's easier because there are free drinks and always people to make small talk with.

My suggestion is though, like everyone else said, to take a good break when you feel you are starting to slip.

As a programmer, I'm already used to sitting at a computer for hours on end =)