Professional poker players don’t have it as easy as those looking from the outside might think. It is a unique and different lifestyle to that of most people, but, as such, it comes with its own set of challenges. It’s not all just glitz, glamor, and big wins.
Serious players have to invest a lot of time into learning the game. They have to work constantly to keep up with the competition and they need to be very careful about how they manage their bankroll. And that’s not all.
Playing poker for a living also means spending many hours at the tables, be it online, behind a screen, or at a casino. Long sessions are hard to handle on multiple levels as you can’t afford to lose your concentration even for a minute. One mistake can wipe the hours of hard work and good play.
There are different things you can do to boost your concentration levels and your stamina, but eating correct foods comes very high on the list. So, if you’ve been wondering what kind of foods you should be eating when playing long tournaments or grinding for hours in front of your computer, here are a few ideas.
Blueberries
You may or may not be a fan of blueberries, but did you know they’re one of the best foods for poker players? You wouldn’t think it just looking at them, but these little berries are rich in healthy and useful ingredients that will help you stay sharp and focused throughout your session.
Blueberries contain more antioxidants than perhaps any other fruit in the world. Thus, they’ll help improve your cognitive functions and offer some other health benefits along the way, such as improving your vision and coordination. This kind of a boost is in the same rank with the best online casino offers and bonuses as it will have such a huge positive impact on your results.
Wild Salmon and Other Fish
Fish in general, and wild salmon in particular, is another great choice of brain food. Packed with essential fatty acids, including all-important Omega-3, wild salmon can have multiple beneficial effects on your brain function. It will improve your mood, boost your synaptic connections, and, in the long run, it will decrease the risk of Alzheimer’s and Dementia.
Cocoa Beans (Dark Chocolate)
Cocoa beans are a great source of antioxidants, catechins, and flavonoids. All of these will help improve your performance at the tables and boost your brain functions.
While cocoa is an essential ingredient of chocolate, eating regular chocolate probably won’t cut the mustard. Instead, you should look for dark chocolate, which contains about 75% cocoa, or try cocoa powder. Your brain will be grateful to you, and your poker results will soar.
Matcha Tea
Although technically a type of tea, matcha is both a drink and a meal, as you’re supposed to consume the whole thing for the best results.
You can think about Matcha s tea on steroids. It has all the benefits of tea, but the effects are much stronger. It has more antioxidants and vitamins, and it’s rich in the L-Theanine amino acid.
The Matcha tea will help you relax and stay calm throughout your session, making you better equipped with all the bad beats, coolers, and surprises that come your way.
Coffee
Coffee doesn’t enjoy the greatest of reputation when talking about healthy foods, but truth of the matter is that, when consumed in moderation, it can help improve your brain activity. It will keep you awake and alert while grinding. If you don’t like drinking it, you can always try coffee beans instead.