Introduction
At first I was hesitant of combining both of my oldest vices, marijuana and poker. I didn’t want to be that fish at the table just giving his chips away to the more experienced players all because I made a bad call because I was too high. But then I realized that I smoke weed all the time and still perform tasks efficiently, its not as if I have just started smoking weed and every time I take a hit i’m couch-locked.
To be fair if you aren’t an experienced smoker then it would be best if you did not follow my advice as the high maybe too intense for you to fully focus on the poker game in front of you. You never want to be risking money on something if you cant ensure that you will be performing at 100%.
Poker Skills and Requirements
Success in poker hinges on a constellation of skills: concentration, patience, the ability to decipher subtle cues from opponents, and making decisions under pressure. Each of these skills requires a sharp mind and emotional equanimity—qualities potentially at odds with the stereotypical effects of cannabis.
Potential Benefits of Playing Stoned
There’s anecdotal evidence suggesting that certain strains of cannabis could, in theory, sharpen some of the skills vital for poker. Strains high in CBD might reduce anxiety and improve focus, allowing players to remain calm and collected, crucial for bluffing or making strategic decisions. Similarly, some players believe that THC’s creativity-enhancing effects could lead to more unpredictable and innovative play styles.
Personally I believe that patience is one of the most important character traits for when it comes to poker, waiting for that hand when you are positive that you have the edge on your opponent and then getting your chips all in. This is where marijuana excels as time is no longer an issue, when playing I can sit there for an hour listening to music waiting for that one good hand, when sober I get impatient and play far too many hands, getting stoned and playing tight has its benefits!
Being stoned while playing poker also enables you to remain detached from the game, I find that I don’t get caught up in each hand and it easy to perceive the game on a larger scale. Remember that poker is like chess and every move should be made with a lot of consideration.
Things like position are so important and you need to learn how to exploit the button every time it comes to you, being stoned allows me to focus more on these factors. Staying emotionally detached is also important as you don’t want to get tilted and end up giving your chips away, remember to treat every hand independently and don’t get involved in battles with specific players.
Potential Drawbacks of Playing Stoned
Conversely, the psychoactive properties of cannabis could undermine critical poker skills. THC, in particular, might impair judgment, slow decision-making, and hinder the ability to read opponents—an essential aspect of high-level poker. Moreover, the legal and professional ramifications of playing under the influence could be severe, especially in regulated or professional settings.
Some big field online tournaments can run for up to 16 hours so its advisable to control your smoking when playing in these events as if you are lucky to make it all the way to the final table you will want to be as fresh as possible and 12 hours of straight smoking doesn’t normally help with that.
Stoners Within Poker
Now that legalization is sweeping the United States a lot more poker players are more open with their cannabis consumption. There are players such as Dutch Boyd who are openly pro cannabis, he has won 3 WSOP bracelets and has a lifetime earnings of close to $3 Million.
Conclusion
The question of whether it’s better to play poker stoned lacks a clear-cut answer. Cannabis’s various effects on the brain mean that its impact on poker skills is highly individual. For players curious about mixing cannabis into their poker routine, the advice is to proceed with caution, starting with low doses in a low-stakes environment.
On a final note, surely no one can have a better poker face than someone who is incredibly high, even Phil Ivey couldn’t detect anything on a stoners face as he stares into the distance, eyes glazed over. The giggles would probably give you away at some point though….
