Casinos have no clocks and no windows for a reason. Time disappears, and so does the sharpness you started the day with.
Why it matters
Video poker strategy is easy on most hands and tricky on a few. The tricky ones are where tired players slip, and those slips come straight off the machine's return.
A player who's sharp for the first hour and sloppy by the fifth is playing a worse game than the pay table says.
Signs you need a break
- You're holding hands without really looking at them
- You've stopped noticing what you're winning or losing
- You're playing to win back a loss
- You've just had a big win and feel invincible
Plan your breaks
- Stand up every hour, even for five minutes
- Eat real meals away from the machines
- Set a time to stop for the night before you start
- Go easy on drinks while you're playing
Breaks protect your bankroll too
Stepping away is the easiest way to stop a bad session from turning into a bad trip. Losses feel smaller after a walk and a meal.
If stopping is hard, that's worth noticing. Help is available, and it's free.
