Intense mind fatigue often plagues poker players when they are in a game for a long time, and can lead to bad luck or poor play. You can solve this by eating well, doing some good physical activity, and breathing deep.

These are designed to help poker players maintain better attention and focus when playing, develop stronger mental models by training in mindfulness and emotional stability.

Take Regular Breaks

Get periodic, short or longer naps so that you are not mentally and physically worn out and remain awake at the table. This will keep your mind and body refreshed, so that you don’t burn out, by allowing yourself these needed breaks.

Do one break every hour and a half or so. This will let you stretch, eat something nutritious, and unwind before going back to work. Or try the Pomodoro Method where you do 25 minute sections of 25 minutes with 5 minute breaks; you keep on working on your task at hand without being tripped up by its big picture.

If you’re getting burnt out on poker, it’s a sign to make some changes or move away from poker for a while. Friend-see, read a non-poker book, anything that gives you some new energy – a long hiatus can also help you to get back into the game and rev up motivation.

Practice Mindfulness

These qualities can be learned by a practice of mindfulness, and applied to the poker table with persistence.

Mindfulness is nonjudgmental observation of thought and feelings. It will make it easier to decide what to do, based on emotion rather than feelings, while playing poker, and also reminds you that poker isn’t going to be free from losing streaks or bad wins at any given moment – even in the best players!

When you are not playing poker, mindful breathing can help you calm your body and nerves before playing the game. The body scan also helps determine if you have any tension within yourself or between rivals. Practicing mindful observation — listening closely to things around you and observing what others are telling you can sharpen focus and improve reading skill.

Visualize Success

The game of poker requires the right mindset to thrive as any game. A player in the wrong mindset will play a bad game because they’re frustrated, angry or tired – and these feelings usually result in paid-tilted plays.

Visualisation is very popular for the best players looking to step up their game. They’re all about the game, and they get used to having cool responses and optimal decisions before they imagine certain events (such as raising big hands or folding small hands) that will help them win.

The way to do this is for players to re-enact an earlier or future session through their five senses, and plunge into it – noting the cards, the bets, and their own actions, before engaging the emotions in each scenario. They should do it all the time as part of their practice – this should put them on top against other players on the table.

Develop a Support System

It is very important to create a support network for you when playing a long time such as friends, family, coaches or poker communities online.

It is difficult to pay attention to things or make good decisions when tired; and this is certainly the case in poker, which involves a lot of long sessions of concentrated attention and planning.

Knowing what to do if your mind starts getting racked up is the most critical aspect of poker play. : If you get easily distracted or rush, stop and think again. Activities such as visualizing success or stretching can recharge your brain; also, remember the point of playing poker — to stay committed to your objectives when you’re having a rough session; this will keep you going when it’s rough and keep you from getting burnt out.