T
Tajek
Rising Star
Bronze Level
Yes, you should use one
It's certainly safer, and I think it enhances your table image as a more serious player, to use a protector. I don't recommend using a chip. It's confusing to other players as it could look like it's in play, it's too light, and if it gets knocked off somehow, it can't be proven that it was being used as a protector. It is, after all, part of your stack. Let it be what it is, and don't try to turn it into something else at the same time. Also, as someone else noted, if you're chip-in-a-chair or go all-in, you've lost your protector.
I don't like protectors with flashy designs; they're distracting for me to look at when I'm scanning the table to see what cards are in play. The worst designs are the ones that look like playing cards, either up-turned or face-down. If I were running a casino I'd make them illegal in gameplay.
Once I was convinced that I needed to use a protector, every commercial card protector I shopped for was both too light for me and had cutesy designs. I now use a 124-gram slice off a brass billet. I got it on Amazon Industrial for $10. It's heavy and it's plain. I prefer it to be plain for me as well as for others. I suppose that, when it comes to my card protector, I'm about as close to an Amish poker player as you'll find.
Safely using a protector is easy. If you're worried that your use of a protector will give off reliable tells, then you have more to be worried about than the protector. Just like someone said earlier, when you're dealt your cards, don't put them immediately under the protector. Guard them with your hands. This won't affect gameplay because preflop everyone is still in the hand and the action is moving clockwise. Then, when it's your turn to act, take a look at your cards. If you don't want to play them, muck. If you do want to play them, then memorize them, place your protector over them, and then make your call or raise. This simple procedure works every time, and you'll probably find that developing the discipline to use your protector properly will actually improve you as a player.
It's certainly safer, and I think it enhances your table image as a more serious player, to use a protector. I don't recommend using a chip. It's confusing to other players as it could look like it's in play, it's too light, and if it gets knocked off somehow, it can't be proven that it was being used as a protector. It is, after all, part of your stack. Let it be what it is, and don't try to turn it into something else at the same time. Also, as someone else noted, if you're chip-in-a-chair or go all-in, you've lost your protector.
I don't like protectors with flashy designs; they're distracting for me to look at when I'm scanning the table to see what cards are in play. The worst designs are the ones that look like playing cards, either up-turned or face-down. If I were running a casino I'd make them illegal in gameplay.
Once I was convinced that I needed to use a protector, every commercial card protector I shopped for was both too light for me and had cutesy designs. I now use a 124-gram slice off a brass billet. I got it on Amazon Industrial for $10. It's heavy and it's plain. I prefer it to be plain for me as well as for others. I suppose that, when it comes to my card protector, I'm about as close to an Amish poker player as you'll find.
Safely using a protector is easy. If you're worried that your use of a protector will give off reliable tells, then you have more to be worried about than the protector. Just like someone said earlier, when you're dealt your cards, don't put them immediately under the protector. Guard them with your hands. This won't affect gameplay because preflop everyone is still in the hand and the action is moving clockwise. Then, when it's your turn to act, take a look at your cards. If you don't want to play them, muck. If you do want to play them, then memorize them, place your protector over them, and then make your call or raise. This simple procedure works every time, and you'll probably find that developing the discipline to use your protector properly will actually improve you as a player.
Attachments
Last edited: