There are some facts about the human body that we should all be aware of. First of all, over 70% of our body is made up of water. This means that though bourbon is good in a pinch, a couple of glasses of H2O per day probably won't kill you. Second, hair on your hands is probably due to some problem at the genetic level, regardless of what old wives tales have to say about that particular topic. Third, we need sleep. Anybody who tells you that they work best when they are tired probably also signed on to Amway after watching a Battlestar Galactica Marathon.
We could simply tell players that being well rested is part of an overall strategy for success. Most players would read that, pop some no-doze, and go on playing into their 35th hour. The truth is though, that the brain is affected by exactly the sort of sleep deprivation that marathon poker can induce. Playing to the point of exhaustion can cause what some medical professionals refer to as "Brain fog". When this condition sets in, say goodbye to your chips.
What specifically happens to the brain at about hour 12 of play is at the synaptic level. In short, you are probably getting a few misfires. This is the start of "Brain fog", which is characterized by forgetfulness, confusion, slowed thinking, being easily distracted, and the inability to remember the correct words when speaking or writing. All of these things may make you more fun at parties, but are probably really bad for your poker game.
It is a fact that people play worse poker at the end of a day than they do at the beginning. In a long tournament, the intensity of the situation combined with the lack of rest take their toll. Some of this can be blunted by good nutrition and being in better shape, but being well rested is always a good decision when facing a tournament or a long night at the casino.



