Taking the bull by the horns

I was in Las Vegas playing at the New Orleans and because I had been walking the strip all day with my wife I was somewhat tired. I had only played for a few hours and was already starting to yawn and feel my bed calling me. I commented to the guy beside me that I wish the casino had something you could take that would let you stay awake as long as you liked. He told me that what I needed was a Red Bull.

I had never tried one of these energy drinks and really didn’t want to pack it in so early so I asked the waitress for one. She told me they did not serve them but I could go down the hall to the gift shop and they sold them. I took a break and got myself a Red Bull and when I got back I opened it up. Its taste is different, rather hard to explain but shortly after drinking about half, I started to feel a little more alert. I eagerly drank the rest and about 10 minutes later I felt somewhat exhilarated. I was wide awake and really wishing this game would go faster. I played on and after about an hour, I started to feel sluggish again. I asked my new poker friend about my lack of power and he said I could always get another. So I did. This time the awake effect was not as dramatic but I was wide awake and playing. After the next hour, I started to feel sluggish again. I asked how many of these can you drink and he replied “I don’t know, never touch the stuff.” I started to read the can and forget now what it says but there are limits.

I decided that the extra two hours was good enough and cashed out. I was wandering back to my car and was really feeling tired. When I finally made it to my room, I fell on the bed and went right to sleep.

In life and poker there are costs for every decision. It would seem that the cost of staying awake for a few more hours is 2 energy drinks but the problem is that the energy comes from somewhere and when those 2 hours are over, you pay. I don’t recommend energy drinks with gambling but I am sure they have their place somewhere.