How to Prepare for a Long Poker Tournament:

As your pr career advances, you'll find yoelf playing increasingly long ho at the pr le. Staying focused and remaining comle becomes just as challenging as the game itself.

Playing Texas Holdem eight ho� or often times much MORE can definitely be a physical and mental drain. So prepare your body it, just as you would any other sport. If you don't feel good, you won't play good. That's all there is to it.

Personally, I prefer lots of exercise as a way to prepare myself long ho at the card le. Getting that endorphin kick from a good run or session of weight lifting will increase my mental acuity as well as keep my body comle at the le. Exercise also serves as my "meditation" session. I go over my game plan and overall strategy as I workout. This is very energizing� and I'm usually pumped up and chomping at the bit when I finally get to sit down at the le.

In fact, I honestly believe exercising bee I play pr is a big part of the competitive edge I have at the le. Because most pr players don't have the physical strength to sit at a le long ho� they think, "Hey, it's just SITTING." But it's much more than that.

A career in pr itself makes it EXTREMELY difficult to maintain your health. Between the alcohol, cigars, and buffets, the entire lifestyle is certainly not conducive to proper nutrition and exercise. Of coe, it CAN be done. You've just got to discipline yoelf� the same way you do at the le.

There are other things I'll also do in preparation those long pr sessions. Here are a few of them:

- Never start a game on an empty stomach.

- Take breaks during the game.

- Breathe. I know it sounds silly, but a few deep breaths can keep your brain more alert.

- Drink caffeine instead of alcohol. Alcohol is a downer, caffeine is an upper.

- Grab a bit to eat during the game.

Find an approach that works you and stick to it. Mastering this aspect of pr will automatically give you an edge over your opponents.