Photo by Marin Tulard
Poker is a fun game that also allows you to earn, especially those who play real money video poker. While watching poker games, you will often find players looking all serious at the table wearing sunglasses. And no, this isn’t common to a particular category of players. The professionals and the newbies alike do it.
We know that sunglasses are helpful under the sun and very fashionable. Many are curious, however, to know why players in a poker tournament are seated at the table with sunshades across their faces. This piece will elucidate the reasons for this common practice among poker players.
Why Players Wear Sunglasses in Poker
- Blocking physical tells
- Searching for tells
- Confidence boost
- Better image
- Focus
- Eye protection
Blocking physical tells
Poker, like every other game, could get players in their emotions. Players tend to show physical tells as things get intense during a game. The eye twitches, movement toward or away from an opponent, the fear, anxiety – there is almost always a tell on a player’s face.
Pro players look out for these tells by looking straight at their opponent’s eyes as it helps them read the game. For instance, a player has probably missed when they stare too long at the flop.
Players play with their sunshades on to ensure their eyes do not betray them. They can make eye movements without their opponent having any clues because the eyes are protected.
Searching for tells
If tells can give players up, you can as well use it to your advantage. As much as they can hide tells, sunglasses can be used to search for them in other players. With your sunglasses on, you can stare at your opponent for as long as you want until you catch a tell without them knowing.
What’s more? Even when they suspect, they have no proof and, as such, can’t challenge you. You can try to look for tells with your bare eyes; it is just awkward to stare non-stop at your opponent. Sunglasses help you do the dirty job without blowing any sirens.
Confidence boost
This is not spoken about enough, but you need all the confidence you can muster during a poker tournament. There are many sources of confidence boosts for different players. For some, it’s a particular look on their faces; for others, it’s their attire.
Sunglasses also give players a confidence boost. Wearing sunglasses will make you look relaxed and ooze confidence like a pro. Guess what? Even if you are not, opponents still think you are.
It could be daunting for newbies to play against pros because they can read your every move. That’s just your nerves giving you away. A nice pair of sunglasses will allow you to sit at the table and play your game without pressure.
Better image
We have established earlier that poker tournaments are for fun and making money. However, you should still dress your best. Who says you can’t be fashionable at a poker table?
Like pro players in football and basketball, for instance, prefer wearing statement accessories like high-quality footwear, you can also make a fashion statement with sunshades while playing the game you love.
More and more poker tournaments are getting televised, and photojournalists are all over the place trying to photograph players. Because these photos will make it to the TV and the internet, a nice pair of shades is the way to go if you want to avoid being caught unfresh.
Focus
Some players have the attention span of a child, with their eyes and mind wandering even in serious situations. It’s no problem, though; we are all humans, after all, with different traits. To maintain focus, players like to wear sunglasses during a game. It keeps their eyes and minds where they want them.
Sunglasses also help keep human distractions away. If you were outdoors with your headphones plugged into your ears, it is less likely that anyone would want to disturb you. It’s the same in poker; your opponent will not likely bother you with small talk and unnecessary conversation.
Eye protection
Casino lights are very bright, and this could be a problem for those whose eyes are sensitive to extra light. Since casino owners can’t possibly dim their lights for the few affected people, it only makes sense for poker players in this category to wear sunglasses that tune down the effect of these lights.
Conclusion
Poker players wearing sunglasses isn’t a new development in poker; people wear them for various reasons. While some use them to conceal physical tells, it helps others to search for these tells. Sunglasses also help with focus and eye protection.
If you figure wearing sunglasses will significantly improve your game, you should get one and start winning the big bucks.