If you are reading this expecting a ton of tips and tricks on how to beat your opponents at online gaming you are about to be disappointed. This is a survival guide. You know, how to beat the fatigue of online poker play, stay focused and on your game? This advice is based solely on my own online casino experiences and I’d love to hear other suggestions.

1. Pick a name and avatar you really really like because you are stuck with it. Staring for hours at an animated shark or psychic princess that is supposed to be a virtual version of yourself gets old really quick. If you picked a goofy gaming name, you are pretty much stuck with it unless you change casinos. Take time with these two aspects of gaming as bad decisions will haunt you every time you deal in.

1. Learn to use the bathroom in ninety seconds or less. Most sites give you 90 seconds to get back online after a disconnect and thirty seconds to play your hand. Sometimes you have enough time to sit out the next game and do your business. Sometimes you hold out for too long and end up knocking the laptop to the ground as you rush for relief. Get quicker, get smarter.

1. Keep healthy snacks around while you play poker online. Not only does having nearby healthy snacks save breaks or rapid trips to the kitchen, it helps to keep you alert. Opt for carrot sticks over carbs every time to avoid getting that sluggish feeling that could put you off your game.

1. Drink plenty of water. Yes it will increase the number of 90 minute bathroom breaks but it will also keep you focused and alert. Caffeine and sugar based drinks seem like the logical choice but their effects quickly wear off leaving you twice as sleepy and lethargic as you were before you drank them. Stick to cold water at regular intervals to meet your electrolyte quota and keep your brain in the moment.

1. Have a blanket nearby. Of course I don’t recommend lying down to play poker but having something to wrap around your shoulders after a four hour game can be very useful. Cold drafts, slight shivers and feeling uncomfortable can be a major distraction when you are playing. Sitting still for long periods cools you down so be prepared.

1. Play alone. The reason you play online poker is to practice your skills, improve your game and increase your bank roll, friends and family who want to play or ask you a hundred questions while you play are bound to distract from your goals. Poker is a study in human nature and concentration is required. Say no to guests and limit your playing time so you don’t get too unsocial.

Well that’s my basic survival guide for online poker. It’s all about staying alert, being prepared and making smart decisions. Sort of like playing poker.