Beer is great; that’s why you’re here. However, as much as drinking responsibly can enhance social situations, there are times when it’s not needed. In fact, there are social situations when having a clear head is paramount.
One such situation is poker. People often associate poker with alcohol, particularly when played in a home game setting. We’re all for hosting home games where people can kick back and relax. However, despite the common associations, drinking isn’t the best strategy if you want to make the right moves. Unlike other card games, such as blackjack, poker requires concentration, focus, and strategy.
Poker is More than a Game of Luck
Indeed, there’s a huge amount of skill involved in poker, which is why you might not want to drink beer (or any alcohol) during a game. There are some scientific reasons as to why alcohol isn’t the best accompaniment to a home game. However, before we get into that, let’s run through the basics of poker.
Poker is a card game where the aim is to win pots (i.e., chips) from your opponents. You do this in two ways:
- By having the best five-card poker hand.
- By making everyone else fold.
The skill element of poker, to a large extent, is in making people fold and call when you want them to. Obviously, you want them to fold when you have a weak hand (i.e., you’re bluffing) and call when you have a strong hand.
One of the easiest ways to master the basics of poker is to play for free. Land-based casinos don’t give you that option, which is why newbies often turn to the internet. Today, it’s possible to ante-up without spending a cent.
Master the Basics of Poker Online for Free
For example, you can play WSOP poker games via a free-play desktop or mobile app using a starting bankroll of 1 million chips. These chips don’t have any real-world value, but they do allow you to enter cash games and tournaments where you’ll compete with thousands of players around the world for prizes and virtual WSOP bracelets.
Once you’ve got a handle on the basics, it’s time to set up a home game. Call up some friends, buy a set of poker chips, and get some snacks in. A lot of people might want to add alcohol to the equation, but it’s not the best idea. We all know that alcohol in small amounts can lower inhibitions and make us feel more relaxed and euphoric.
Stay Sober to Play Your A-Game
That’s all good in most social settings. However, in a game of poker, where you need to be alert, it’s not always the best idea. What’s more, there’s a direct link between the amount you drink and your ability to concentrate.
According to the Irish Health Service website, most people have a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) level of between 20 mg and 50 mg after one drink. That’s enough to reduce concentration and judgment, two skills that are vital in a game of poker. We’re not saying you can’t drink responsibly during a friendly home game. However, if you want to play your A-game, it’s not advisable. Having total focus is essential, particularly if you’re a novice.
So, while people often associate poker with drinking, they’re not necessarily great partners. Anyone who wants to play their best should avoid their favorite alcoholic beverages. Do this and master the tactical elements of playing poker by using free-play platforms, and you stand a good shot at being the player with all the chips at your next home game.
