Staying awake and alert in Vegas

What do some of you do to stay awake and alert while playing in vegas without caffine?

Kevin

every night, take several showers daily, avoid big meals or too much red meat, and limit your play to no more than 6-8 hours a day.

because your play certainly will be affected by lack of sleep, if not the first day, then the second. Further, there's no sense ruining a great time by making yourself sick by the third day. I know I am always sustained by the excitement of it all the first day, but I've done it both ways, and getting a good night's sleep and eating (and drinking!) sensibly has always yielded a better vacation. And, oddly enough, higher win rates.

When I first played Vegas, I would arrive around 11 PM after work from LA, play all night, check into a hotel at 8 am, sleep till mid afternoon, play until I collapsed, get a second night's sleep for the price of one day, etc...

Years later I play much less, sleep normal hours, and get much better results.

winning will keep you awake and losing will put you to sleep.

To be blunt it is that simple. People tell you not to play tired but that is 90% BS (and I dont mean basic strategy). People remember losing and remember sometimes being tired while doing so. It is selective memory. As long as you are still competent to count and bet and play your hand have some Hot tea it keeps you warm and alert. Eating alot will put you in sleep mode as will extended losing. When you are winning your excitement level will be higher and sleep will not be on your mind.

You cannot control winning and losing so my suggestion is eat small but frequent meals and do marathon sessions.

I do not play long sessions personally nor have the desire to stay awake. After I heard about the tragic events I pretty much slept for the entire day even though I had just woke up that morning, then slept the entire night. It is very depressing sometimes looking at the world and I just couldn't get myself into the casinos.

Cutter

. . . winning will keep you awake and losing will put you to sleep.

Not me - I'm exactly the opposite.

Back when I used to pull all-nighters, it was always when I was trying to dig myself out of a hole.

After a comfortable session win, I have no problem enjoying a leisurely meal (comped, of course) and calling it a night, even if it is still early.

However, after a losing session (or sessions) I have to force myself to quit for the evening when I become fatigued to the point where my counting skills are affected. I want to keep playing until I book a win!

However, I have learned through hard experience, that it is best to call it a night, get a good night's sleep, and hit 'em hard in the morning, relaxed, refreshed, and with a better attitude.

Besides, the tables will be less crowded in the morning. :-)

winning keeps me alert but i have to drive home after my sessions so i have to watch out. I may be alert by winning at the casino but that "high" will wear off while driving home.

The nearest casinos are about a 3 hour drive from where I live. One Saturday afternoon I decided to drive out there, (Spur of the moment decision - yes, I'm single) play a few hours of BJ and then drive home. I left my house at 3PM and was at the tables by 6:30. I played till midnight and then drove back home after having a comped meal. I lost 3k and was extremely exhausted. Several times, I pulled over to the side of the road, put on the flashers, locked my door, and took a little nap (15-20 minutes). It took me nearly twice as long to get back home. I'll never do that again. Damn, that was a long drive back!

JB

This might be alittle over-kill, but it works for me. Because of my work, and one of my other hobbies which requires me to stay awake and alert for up to 48 hrs, I have talked with many experts on jet-lag, meditation, and nutrition.

2 days before my trip to LV, I put myself on an eating program which continues until my last night there. I consume Gatorade, Power Bars, and a few herbal supplements which include Chromium Picolinate (with 334mg MaHuang, 910mg of Guarana). Alittle Green Tea is nice too, but hard to find unless I bring my own. Also, I'll go for a 20 minute run down the strip when I get up. Alittle cardio, work up a good sweat, alittle fresh air, and im ready to go.

Your body will adapt to the program in the 2 days before you hit LV. You wont feel hungry, have lots of energy, and you'll be surprised at the number of hrs of sleep you'll need to wake-up refreshed.

Btw - If you find yourself getting mentally fatigued during a session, Take a break and try this quick exercise.

1 Sit back in your chair with your feet relaxed and flat on floor.

2 Put your hands in your lap. With your right thumb, dig deep into

middle of the palm of your left hand. Hold for 30 sec.

3 Reverse and dig your left thumb into your right palm.

4 Now pinch the base of each finger tightly. Hold for 10 sec.

5 Repeat with other hand.

6 Now press with your thumb on the outer edge of your forearm at

about 2-inch intervals all the way up to the elbo on one side.

7 Continue on the other side back down to wrist.

8 Do the same with other arm.

Works doesn't it??

(source of exercise is The Book Of Shiatsu)

MLB

Many years ago I was involved in rock 'n roll. I left a club one night at abour 4am fit as a fiddle for a 2 hour drive home. At about the half-way mark I opened my eyes just in time to swerve out of the way of a tractor and trailer coming straight at me. Yes, it was me on the wrong side of the road.

From that day to this I carry an alarm clock and a blanket in the car. Any time I feel I may be getting a bit tooo tired, I pull over, set the alarm for an hour and take a little nap.

Pulling over and resting might have been the smartest thing you've ever done in your life. Better a long ride back than not getting back at all.

Thanks for your post. Maybe something everyone should think about.