The Alpha and Beta of Your Poker Brain

Pounding heartbeat and restless legs, dry mouth and sweating hands - we're all familiar with the physical symptoms of anxiety and adrenaline rush during a poker session. But have you ever wondered how they are reflected in brain activity? You will love this presentation on how the brain works at the different stages of the game and at different skill levels! 

"During an all-in, levels of brain activity in the Beta band spiked considerably across the full brain, showing that this is a high-stress situation for beginner players. The beginner was equally guided by logic and emotion during this all-in."

"During the betting stage of the flop, the expert reverts to Theta activity in the frontal lobes, which demonstrates that the expert player is in a state of automation. The bilateral activity in both frontal lobes shows that this is equally driven by logic and emotional instinct."

Here are some basic facts about beta and theta waves from mentalhealthdaily.com to help you better understand the images and brief explanations on the website:

Beta Waves

These are known as high frequency low amplitude brain waves that are commonly observed while we are awake. They are involved in conscious thought, logical thinking, and tend to have a stimulating affect. Having the right amount of beta waves allows us to focus and complete school or work-based tasks easily. Having too much beta may lead to us experiencing excessive stress and/or anxiety. The higher beta frequencies are associated with high levels of arousal. When you drink caffeine or have another stimulant, your beta activity will naturally increase. Think of these as being very fast brain waves that most people exhibit throughout the day in order to complete conscious tasks such as: critical thinking, writing, reading, and socialization.

Frequency range: 12 Hz to 40 Hz (High)
Too much: Adrenaline, anxiety, high arousal, inability to relax, stress
Too little: ADHD, daydreaming, depression, poor cognition
Optimal: Conscious focus, memory, problem solving
Increase beta waves: Coffee, energy drinks, various stimulants

Theta Waves

This particular frequency range is involved in daydreaming and sleep. Theta waves are connected to us experiencing and feeling deep and raw emotions. Too much theta activity may make people prone to bouts of depression and may make them “highly suggestible” based on the fact that they are in a deeply relaxed, semi-hypnotic state. Theta has its benefits of helping improve our intuition, creativity, and makes us feel more natural. It is also involved in restorative sleep. As long as theta isn’t produced in excess during our waking hours, it is a very helpful brain wave range.

Frequency range: 4 Hz to 8 Hz (Slow)
Too much: ADHD, depression, hyperactivity, impulsivity, inattentiveness
Too little: Anxiety, poor emotional awareness, stress
Optimal: Creativity, emotional connection, intuition, relaxation
Increase theta waves: Depressants

The link http://pokerbrain.brewingatbc.co.uk/ was posted on 2+2 without any additional details about sources and the underlying research but maybe a Ranking Hero will find and share more information?..
Your Brain on PokerExplore here to see how the brain reacts to a game of poker, how it varies amongst the differing skill levels and learn tips on how to improve your playing with WPT pro Tony Dunst.pokerbrain.brewingatbc.co.uk