Drugs in poker

[Dingdell]

Having allegedly witnessed the results of drug use during a poker game yesterday (absolutely bizarre behaviour/volume/actions etc etc) I just wondered what the general feel was about drugs used in poker.

Legend has it that the bin in the mens loos at Luton has been used more often than not for a line of coke by some players and one was banned from Luton for doing a line on the metal bars of the smoking cage and being caught on camera.

In an unregulated playing arena such as poker is it open season for whatever works for you, or should the killjoy in me have asked the TD to check the player for drugs and have him booted out if anything was found? (I'm pretty sure they can't do that by the way - it's a rhetorical question acting as a devils advocate)

As I sat by this player last night with him banging on in my left ear constantly about 'keeping it real Bro' and 'peace and love' and everytime a camera went past he shouted 'strike a pose, strike a pose' I thought about how drugs and violence are connected. I for one, was close to punching him in the face.

One of the poker magazines recently wrote about performance enhancing drugs in poker, suggesting some heighten your awareness of surroundings and help you keep track of what's going on in the game more easily. Remembering tells behaviours etc. Last night I drank a mineral drink throughout the evening and was alert at all times and at midnight would have believed it was 10pm, I was so full of energy. Is there any real difference between what I did and what 'peace and love' allegedly did?

[TightEnd]

it's rife. I could have pointed out five-six players yesterday on my tables alone who were coked up.


I wasn't even on your table and I cringed at behaviour of that young lad

[Dingdell]

it's rife. I could have pointed out five-six players yesterday on my tables alone who were coked up.


I wasn't even on your table and I cringed at behaviour of that young lad

Does that make it OK?

[TightEnd]

it's rife. I could have pointed out five-six players yesterday on my tables alone who were coked up.


I wasn't even on your table and I cringed at behaviour of that young lad

Does that make it OK?

does what make it ok?

[Chompy]

I restricted myself to crack, whizz and scooby snacks yesterday. It was a proper tournament after all.

[celtic]

give seb a break imo. he's young, he'll learn!!!

[Dingdell]

it's rife. I could have pointed out five-six players yesterday on my tables alone who were coked up.


I wasn't even on your table and I cringed at behaviour of that young lad

Does that make it OK?

does what make it ok?

I thought you were suggesting that as so many were doing it, it became acceptable?

[KarmaDope]

I'm ridiculously anti-drugs lol, don't even light up a spliff around me.

Seeing somebody doing coke...I don't know if I could keep my mouth shut. I probably would, and if that person was playing in my game, I'd walk away.

[TightEnd]

it's rife. I could have pointed out five-six players yesterday on my tables alone who were coked up.


I wasn't even on your table and I cringed at behaviour of that young lad

Does that make it OK?

does what make it ok?

I thought you were suggesting that as so many were doing it, it became acceptable?

not at all. Also the casino is regulated by the GC, its in their interests to catch people at it on the premises and their licence is at risk if it goes on and is spotted on an inspection

It doesn't necessary follow that unacceptable table behaviour and drugs are linked, but in the case of your table companion yesterday I think they probably were. I am a little surprised that no one had a quiet word with the TD.

[tikay]

it's rife. I could have pointed out five-six players yesterday on my tables alone who were coked up.


I wasn't even on your table and I cringed at behaviour of that young lad

He was normal pre-break, & as high as a kite after it - I was on the same table. He suggested Ding was a Racist! ("Innit").

He was absolutely OTT, totally out of his head. It was very hard to focus with him banging on at the top of his voice about everything. "Bro".

Remind me the last time anyone was ejected fom a Poker Tourney for taking drugs. Well, for anything, really. We just have to accept it I think. I wonder what might have happened if someone had given him a slap? - several came very close to it.

[DaveShoelace]

Mike Matusow used to play poker on speed a few years ago and he said it helped his performance at the table (I think you can tell at the 2004 wsop footage where he is nodding his head quite a bit) and he obviously is a perfect role model.

Generally I would say drug use and poker shouldnt even remotely mix, its certainly not something I have witnessed much myself and ultimatley I cant see how it can help ones game that much long term. The benefits of something that makes you feel sharp and confident like cocaine surely dont outweigh the long term implications of using it.

That said, if anyone ever wants to play at my table while on ectasy or LSD they are more than welcome.

[TightEnd]

it's rife. I could have pointed out five-six players yesterday on my tables alone who were coked up.


I wasn't even on your table and I cringed at behaviour of that young lad

He was normal pre-break, & as high as a kite after it - I was on the same table. He suggested Ding was a Racist! ("Innit").

He was absolutely OTT, totally out of his head. It was very hard to focus with him banging on at the top of his voice about everything. "Bro".

Remind me the last time anyone was ejected fom a Poker Tourney for taking drugs. Well, for anything, really. We just have to accept it I think. I wonder what might have happened if someone had given him a slap? - several came very close to it.

would a quiet word with the TD (away from proceedings) to watch the table not have been a good idea? It was way OTT.

[tikay]

it's rife. I could have pointed out five-six players yesterday on my tables alone who were coked up.


I wasn't even on your table and I cringed at behaviour of that young lad

Does that make it OK?

does what make it ok?

I thought you were suggesting that as so many were doing it, it became acceptable?

not at all. Also the casino is regulated by the GC, its in their interests to catch people at it on the premises and their licence is at risk if it goes on and is spotted on an inspection

It doesn't necessary follow that unacceptable table behaviour and drugs are linked, but in the case of your table companion yesterday I think they probably were. I am a little surprised that no one had a quiet word with the TD.

What would be the point? They did not even stop players usng 'phones in the hand, which, trivial as it may be, was specifically mentioned in the pre-comp drawl as being prohibited.

[DaveShoelace]

it's rife. I could have pointed out five-six players yesterday on my tables alone who were coked up.


I wasn't even on your table and I cringed at behaviour of that young lad

He was normal pre-break, & as high as a kite after it - I was on the same table. He suggested Ding was a Racist! ("Innit").

He was absolutely OTT, totally out of his head. It was very hard to focus with him banging on at the top of his voice about everything. "Bro".

Remind me the last time anyone was ejected fom a Poker Tourney for taking drugs. Well, for anything, really. We just have to accept it I think. I wonder what might have happened if someone had given him a slap? - several came very close to it.

would a quiet word with the TD (away from proceedings) to watch the table not have been a good idea? It was way OTT.

Maybe a couple of spliffs might have sorted him out?

[Dingdell]

Mike Matusow used to play poker on speed a few years ago and he said it helped his performance at the table (I think you can tell at the 2004 wsop footage where he is nodding his head quite a bit) and he obviously is a perfect role model.

Generally I would say drug use and poker shouldnt even remotely mix, its certainly not something I have witnessed much myself and ultimatley I cant see how it can help ones game that much long term. The benefits of something that makes you feel sharp and confident like cocaine surely dont outweigh the long term implications of using it.

That said, if anyone ever wants to play at my table while on ectasy or LSD they are more than welcome.

Well at one point he got a little bottle out and I thought it might be the thing they give you when you have fainted?? it smelt quite strong and he dabbed some in his nose. And no it wasn't vicks sinex! But I had no idea what it was he took - so blatant I told myself it couldn't be anything illegal.