Sunglasses idiots revisited, ring games vs. tournaments

[ChicagoTroy]

First off, I hate players wearing sunglasses in ring games. One of my favorite taunts is to get involved in a pot with a sunglasses-wearer, and pull out a pair of rediculous Elvis shades to wear for the hand.

After going through some of the thread from last week, it occurred to me that wearing them in tournaments (which I don't play) is a lot more reasonable. 1) It's certainly not going to scare off any fish, and 2) People will be looking for expressions, particularly in a no-limit structure. It seems like the reasons not to, dorkiness notwithstanding, are eliminated. FWIW, I wouldn't wear them in a tourney, either.

Does the nature of the game change anybody's opinion?

[cardcounter0]

Yes. I read a lot of Las Vegas and Novice Gambling boards. There is a recurrent theme of why people would rather play slots than table games (typical casino revenue is over 60% slots, and the casinos would like to make it 100%).

Number One is the fear of screwing up, making a mistake, and having the other players yell at them. (Think about the idiot player at the blackjack table, getting grumbled at by the 'smart' players). It is really hard to screw up playing a slot machine. No thinking needed. Plus the machine will never yell or give you dirty looks if you do mess up.

Second, they are in Vegas to have fun. Whoop it up. Have a good time. Throw their money around.

Now think about it. A huge group of people, who don't want to think, aren't really knowledgable about rules, who think it is great fun to lose money and gambooool it up. Do you want these people in your games?

So they see World Poker Tour on TV, and when out in Vegas they decide it would be real fun to enter the poker room and play. So they step inside and are greeted with a table full of Sun Glass Wearing Practicing-the-stone-face-poker-faces. They probably don't even do much more than grunt when the guy sits down, afraid by saying "Hello" they might give off a tell. Of course these are the same guys ready to pounce all over the fish the first time he attempts a raise and string bets, or inadvertantly mucks his winning hand.

Shortly, the fish will wonder why he thought trying poker would be fun with these sun glass wearing statues, and will go back to the slots to drop a couple of grand into over the weekend.

Think about it the next time you are nitpicking some newbie fish over a rule and getting a pot. Maybe letting him win that pot means you will be getting two or three larger pots from him in the future, since you are such a nice guy.

Besides, with sun glasses the cocktail waitresses can't see you wink at them.
/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[Al_Capone_Junior]

Ring game or tournament makes no difference. If you read that whole thread, you don't need to have me rehash the pros and cons again. I wear them, think what you will. But if you don't keep your eyes open, you might wind up very much wrong about someone who IS wearing them.

I should state that in very low pressure situations, such as a loose and passive 2-6 game or something, I might not wear them. It's in the high pressure situations I like to have them on. Also, I take them off when having a conversation (that is occuring when I am not in a hand) or when talking to floor, waitress, etc.

al

[Al_Capone_Junior]

Wearing sunglasses should not and does not always equate to being stone cold and rude to the fish. Being friendly at the table is always in order, glasses or not.

al

[James Boston]

[ QUOTE ]
It's in the high pressure situations I like to have them on.

[/ QUOTE ]

I wore them the first time I played in a casino, it was a 2-4. I felt stupid with them on, but got too nervous making eye contact with the experienced players.

[FeliciaLee]

My reply has nothing to do with sunglasses, but is on topic regarding the rest of your post.

I find myself much more serious in tournaments than cash games. In cash games I am trying harder to create an image. Or should I say, I'm trying NOT to look serious. I will do and say anything to mislead opponents who might be paying attention. I would rather them not think I'm a serious player, I'm a solid player, I've read any poker book or that I'm anything but a recreational tourist.

In tourneys, however, I find myself lapsing into my true personality. I'm usually quiet and serious at the table. I certainly do not go out of my way to assure players that I'm just some recreational tourist. Although I will sometimes set up a bit of an image to keep things the way I want them (loose/passive), I mostly just keep my trap shut and watch everyone else, while playing tournament strategy for that particular game/structure/table style.

Felicia /images/graemlins/smile.gif
www.felicialee.net (http://www.felicialee.net)

[goofball]

wait. isn't the point for to see you?!

[Cpt Spaulding]

If a person feels they play better when the wear shades then they should, if they don't like to wear them they shouldn't. If I am playing in a ring game or tourney, I am more focused on a persons play style rather than what they are wearing...I don't understand why clothing is so important.

[bernie]

Primarily because you know you're on very limited time and every mistake is even more greatly magnified. Especially after a rebuy period.

b

[FeliciaLee]

[ QUOTE ]
Primarily because you know you're on very limited time and every mistake is even more greatly magnified. Especially after a rebuy period.

b

[/ QUOTE ]
I think you're exactly right.

Felicia /images/graemlins/smile.gif
www.felicialee.net (http://www.felicialee.net)

[Milky]

I think that a lot of the players wearing sunglasses wear them as a sort of "confidence crutch". They feel invisible behind them, invulnerable, whereas without them it feels like all of the other players are staring into their soul and know exactly what cards they hold.

At least, that's how I feel. I haven't stepped into a B&M because I'm so afraid I'll give away too many tells with my body language/eye contact/etc.

[shadow29]

Aside from a few obvious tells, most of that 'staring into your soul' crap is total bs. Most of the deal comes with betting patterns, etc.

[pokerstudAA]

I was playing heads up for fun the other day against a friend wearing those reflective sun glasses. I figured out that when I slouched down really low I could catch a good glimpse of his cards. Definately couldnt always get them but could catch Aces and face cards as well as suited (or at least red or black) cards. After a number of hands he asked me what the hell I was doing leaning all the way back. I told him his shades were sweet.

[Gamblor]

Although I will sometimes set up a bit of an image to keep things the way I want them (loose/passive), I mostly just keep my trap shut and watch everyone else, while playing tournament strategy for that particular game/structure/table style.

In tournaments you want tight-passive opposition, no?

[Pokergod]

[ QUOTE ]
I think that a lot of the players wearing sunglasses wear them as a sort of "confidence crutch".

[/ QUOTE ]

I think this is so true. I used to see a woman, who happened to be married, and she felt safe and secure behind her sunglasses. She used to say she was "incognito" when she was behind her shades.

Anyway, that escapade came to a thankful end. Oh the memories...

My point is that people do feel safe behind glasses. So, A good player should not care if another player is wearing them, it's equivalent to caring if someone beats you with garbage. I think anyway.

-PG

[Odder]

[ QUOTE ]
One of my favorite taunts is to get involved in a pot with a sunglasses-wearer, and pull out a pair of rediculous Elvis shades to wear for the hand.

[/ QUOTE ]

lol, I do the exact same thing. Everyone else at the table gets a kick out of it heh /images/graemlins/smile.gif