Poker News

Ashley Adams

In the first part of this column, two issues ago, I identified the rewards of playing poker while traveling. There are many. There are also risks. The biggest risk, I’ve found, is weariness. When I travel, especially to all-night gambling venues like Las Vegas and Atlantic City, I have a hard time getting a good night’s sleep. This is partially due to the natural affects of being away from home and my comfortable bed and pillow (and wife). But it’s also a product of the extra adrenaline that’s pumping through my veins in these exciting places.

Even as I fall asleep, there is the gnawing thought in the back of my mind that there are dozens of poker games going on at that moment. Though I don’t plan it in advance, this gnawing feeling tends to wake me up in the middle of the night. And when I awaken, I feel the urge to find one of these games - and sometimes I do, though it’s not the best way to make sure I’m well rested, attentive, and energetic at the table. There’s also a risk of being overly eager to get into action. I note this not just because of its impact on sleep, but because of its impact on your ability to play your best game even when you’re properly rested. Think about it. You’ve traveled for hours to reach this destination. You’re less inclined to be patient at the table; less inclined to wait for the quality hands you normally wait for. You’re more inclined to think, “Hey, I’m here to play poker,” and then dive into a hand you would normally fold.

This urge to play - and to gamble - can also propel you into the troubled lands of games that are normally too big for you. I know that I do this. I was inPhoenix. There were no $20-$40 stud games. There was, however, a rocking $5-$10-$25 blind pot-limit hold’em game. It was surely over my head. I would never have played in it in my home casino. Even so, I sat down.

There’s also the risk to your general health when you play poker in a foreign venue. When you’re traveling it’s easy to eat improperly or fail to hydrate yourself sufficiently. I’ve found this to be the case for myself. I’ll play late, eat on the run, and not drink enough water. This can wear you down, especially when it’s coupled with inadequate sleep, too much coffee, and too much alcohol. And getting sick on vacation is a drag. It puts a damper on the rest of your time on vacation - and it’s tough to find a decent doctor.

Finally, you must consider the risk of getting robbed in unfamiliar surroundings. The risk of getting robbed or cheated increases as your knowledge of the area in which you’re playing and the players you’re playing against diminishes.

The good news is that none of these risks provide insurmountable hurdles to an excellent poker experience. Plan on getting enough sleep, no matter how good the game. Set a time to go to bed and stick to it. Toward that end, stay in a place without a poker room - to avoid the temptation for easy middle-of-the-night sessions.

As far diet is concerned, I like to stop in a grocery store when I’m driving from the airport and buy a few bags of fresh fruit, some dried fruit, some nuts, and a case of those water bottles. I want to make sure I have these around me at all times so I can easy drink water and snack on something healthful. I haven’t gotten sick on a trip since I started doing this.

Regarding safety, bring only a small portion of your vacationing poker-playing bankroll to a game. And when you’re going to and from a game in an unfamiliar area, divide your money up on your person, so if you are robbed you won’t lose everything. I’ve never had any problems getting robbed or cheated that I know of. But if you feel even a little bit uncomfortable, don’t play. Trust your instincts on this one.

Finding a poker game while traveling can be a great treat. Just plan for some of the potential pitfalls and you’ll get the most out of it.

Filed under: Poker News