Poker is no walk in the park. It’s a game that can take a serious toll on a player's mental, emotional, and physical well-being. When you're watching the World Series of Poker (WSOP), all you see are those fierce poker faces and their high-level strategic gameplay.
What you don’t notice is just how long these players have been sitting on those tables.
Hours of sitting can lead to brutal back and neck pain. Poker players can be so focused at first that they don’t even notice, but by the end of the session, the discomfort can be pretty overwhelming.
So, how do these champs actually survive the brutality of the game?
Many casinos provide licensed massage therapists who can give the players a shoulder rub right at the table. Though it is not FREE, the relief is worth every penny. And if they’ve managed to win big — who will worry about spending a few bucks on a massage?
Professional Massage Inc. brings around 400 experts to the WSOP, each with their own unique stories. Some have had fantastic experiences, while others have faced their fair share of challenges and even been let go. Let’s hear from Tori Sadiki and see what she has to share.
Massages have a lot of health benefits. Keep reading the post to find out why poker players get massages and how these rubdowns can enhance their performance at the table.
If you think poker is just about shuffling cards and tossing chips, think again! Poker is a demanding game that requires much more from its players. A tournament is a far cry from a casual poker night with friends. It involves hours — sometimes days — of sitting in one place, trying to read their opponent’s tells, and calculating odds in their head.
It’s enough mental work to make even Einstein's brain short-circuit.
Their back aches and their neck feels like it’s been through a wringer and their butt? Well, let's just say they’ll need more than a cushion to save it.
At that moment, a masseuse can feel like a Holy Spirit sent straight from heaven — just for them. So, don’t mistake them for some VIP treatment, they’re poker players’ secret weapon for survival.
Let’s be real: Poker is stressful as hell. The stakes are high — like REALLY HIGH! One wrong move, and they could be down more money than they'd make in a year at a regular job. No pressure, right?
A good massage can really help them focus on the game by relaxing the muscles and easing tension. As their anxiety and stress start to fade, they’ll go from being nervous wrecks worrying about their stack to calm, collected players ready to take down their opponents like pros.
Maintaining a poker face can be tough especially when the players are distracted by all the pain from long hours of sitting. Their legs start to feel like lead, their posture goes out the window, and their brain is foggy like a Monday morning hangover.
Not exactly the state of mind you want when they’re trying to figure out if that stone-faced guy across from them is bluffing or holding the nuts.
That’s where a massage can be a game-changer. It gets the blood pumping again, helps keep the body from seizing up, and the brain? Back in business, sharper than ever. Plus, a good massage can fix that “poker face” everyone knows too well.
A massage can be a mental break from a constant Battle Royale. Poker players have to constantly analyze hands, read tells and deal with occasional tantrums from their opponents. It’s a high-pressure environment that can wear them down.
But imagine closing your eyes for a few minutes — and suddenly feeling like you are being transported to a whole different world. That’s the comfort of a massage and the skill of a hardworking masseuse.
It not only relaxes their mind but also increases their concentration level that can turn the table in their favor.
Now, you know why poker players get massages. Poker can be a grueling test of endurance. To cope with the discomfort, many casinos provide massage therapists who help players stay focused and relaxed. For poker players, these masseuses can actually turn into luck charms. With a minimal investment — these aren't just fancy perks, they are crucial for these champs to score a big win!
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