Poker Accessories-What Really Works?

THIS WEEK IN POKER:
* Poker Accessories - What Really Works?
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POKER ACCESSORIES - WHAT REALLY WORKS?

Every poker player has their own method of how they win at the game.
Some players enjoy getting massages, some like to drink while they play.
There is another group that feels that sunglasses, hats and ipods are
their tickets to success. Are all of the accessories really helpful,
though? Poker's top professionals weigh in with their opinions on the
shades, hoods, and the tunes.

"I guess hats and sunglasses have to help a little bit. When Phil Laak
pulls his hood up you can't see any part of him. It's a little harder
to read him, but I don't think they help that much, no. The person still
has to put the chips in the pot and move." Layne Flack explains. "I
think that a good player is able to be calm and not give anything away.
The goal of a poker player is to be able to hide in their mind. What you
should work on is to be able to be calm and not give anything away. If
you are trying to use other things to help you, then that's kind of
like using a crutch. If someone gets used to hiding with their glasses and
you take them away they are going to feel naked or like they cant do it
and they need the glasses to help them, but really, how much can a pair
of sunglasses help you in a poker game. It's just a pair of
sunglasses."

David Williams feels that in wearing sunglasses a lot of players are
afraid. "I don't really wear sunglasses or low hats. I wear glasses now
for style, but sometimes I won't wear them. I don't try to hide
anything. I'll take them off in pots, because I feel the information you are
trying to gather is more important than what you are trying to cover up.
People can't really get that much from you, unless you are just shaking
and trembling. But at this level you should be able to control that."

Williams isn't really concerned about people looking into his eyes
because of his stoic presence. "I don't really care about hiding my eyes. I
don't think anyone's looked in my eyes. I've been told by people who
watch on TV that I kind of look the same no matter what I have. I try to
do things to trick people, and get people to call when I don't have a
hand. I try and act nervous sometimes when I do. Because of that, you
never know if it's true. Throw a loop somewhere so people are totally
confused,and really can't get anything from that."

Dan Harrington disagrees with Flack and Williams feeling that glasses
hide where a player is looking. "If I'm looking over there and looking
at someone's hand, someone can tell that I'm doing that and that could
hurt me if I'm trying to acquire information. I wear a hat because I'm
comfortable with a hat, and it also shades you from the glare. It also
could help in masking a tell.

When it comes to the tunes, Andy Bloch says, "Personally, I don't like
to listen to headphones because I miss things." Harrington justifies
keeping quiet and watching everything at the table. "If you're up talking
and jumping around and doing different things then your not paying
attention to what's happening at the table and you will be behind on the
information game and that has to hurt you in the long run."

Esfandiari finds that listening to music helps him at the table. "I
like to listen to my ipod when I play tournaments. It keeps me calm." John
Phan agrees because it can help you avoid aggressive table talk that
could possibly lead you to tilt. "A lot of people have their ipod on so
they can ignore whatever other people say and whatever goes on around
them." He does stress, though, the importance of paying attention to
everything going on around you. "Sometimes music can take you away from the
game a little bit. Pay attention to all your players, what they do.
Without it, it is a lot better sometimes. It just depends. The noise from
all the bad beat players, it helps a little bit."

Deciding whether to wear a hat, sunglasses or play your ipod really
depends on how it affects you in your own way. When playing online you
don't have to worry as much about these things. Luckily, your opponents
can't see your face so you don't have to cover your eyes or your head.
Once you perfect your game online and decide to take the plunge to
playing live, you should try out different things and see how much your game
changes. If you are finding success when you cover your eyes then
glasses may be the best route for you. If listening to tunes keeps you calm
then play that music. Just make sure you are keeping focused on
everything that is going on around you. You wouldn't want to miss out on some
important information another player is giving away for free!


P.S. Personally I say whatever floats your boat


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