Do sunglasses/Ipod automatically make someone a douche? (Psych x-post)

[DanS]

Hey fellas,

I'm going to Vegas for a week and a half. First weekend is going to be hanging out with friends. Second week is going to be a bunch of 15-30 to 40/80, largely by myself.

Well, being a primarily online player has made me borderline ADD. I can't pull the long sessions I used to be able to when I played more live. Also, I'm somewhat light-sensitive.

So, if I bust out my Ipod, which I think I'll be using partly to avoid conversation from mid-day locals, and occassionally wear shades... well, I guess the answer's kind of rhetorical: of course I'll look like a douche. Which begs the more important question: should I care?

If I'm comfortable I can play longer, better, and have a more enjoyable time. I can easily pay attention to/hear what's occurring at the table, and I can remove both items whenever I choose to. Hell, I might even benefit from a wanna be WPT image.

Thoughts?

Dan

[RydenStoompala]

Wear a goalie mask and drink chocolate milk through a small straw. Now that's an image.

[DanS]

[ QUOTE ]
Wear a goalie mask and drink chocolate milk through a small straw. Now that's an image.

[/ QUOTE ]

LOL, good sh!t.

Somewhat funny story (tho I guess not that funny, if the kid's disturbed): Kid (20'ish) at at ice rink I work at gets shitcanned for being a weirdo, not doing his job, etc. Apparently, when it was the day for him to pick up his last check, he showed up at 4 a.m. wearing a Mardis Gras mask and talking to himself. I kid not.

BTW, I think with your idea I can take a SH 40/80 for $2500/hr, it's so damn brilliant.

Dan

[Koss]

I usually have my MP3 player with me. I look for any reason at all not to use it, and usually don't, but some tables are just too damn boring not too. As for sunglasses, it's the pitch black wrap-arounds that really make you look like a douche. Just go with a nice tinted pair that will help with the glare, as opposed to the kind that look they were designed for outfielders.

Just my $.02

[other1]

Unless they are particularly ridiculous sunglasses I don't think any more or less of people that wear them. I also have no problem with people listening to music as long as they stay with the action. And last, but most importantly, no, you shouldn't care what anyone thinks.

[mrkilla]

[ QUOTE ]
Which begs the more important question: should I care?


[/ QUOTE ]

we don't so you shouldnt. /images/graemlins/smile.gif

[morgant]

why are you asking permission for anything?

i brought an ipod to playstation the other day, first time ever doing something like that, never wore sunglasses, i immediately shun sunglass wearers in an indoor establishment regardless what is taking place(although dont discount ability)....my cents

[WhiskyRiver]

IMHO, ipods aren't even in the same category as sunglasses, but then again, I constantly listen to my ipod when I play. The difference is, the ipod has a function: if the table isn't talking or people I don't care for, I listen to the ipod. I have NEVER missed any action because of it, that's a damn fact. Always low, usually with only one ear bud in.

[IgorSmiles]

I dont take notice of the ipod or the shades. It's when they open their mouth that i know theyre a douchebag.

[PokerBob]

IMO IPods are fine at all limits, as (a) play can be boring and (b) many players are blithering idiots.

Sunglasses are for jackasses, and it's not close. That said, IMO it is OK to wear them at limits of 15/30 and up, as at that point the money becomes quite significant.

[PITTM]

less than 15/30 money is insignificant?

rj

[scrub]

[ QUOTE ]
Hey fellas,

I'm going to Vegas for a week and a half. First weekend is going to be hanging out with friends. Second week is going to be a bunch of 15-30 to 40/80, largely by myself.

Well, being a primarily online player has made me borderline ADD. I can't pull the long sessions I used to be able to when I played more live. Also, I'm somewhat light-sensitive.

So, if I bust out my Ipod, which I think I'll be using partly to avoid conversation from mid-day locals, and occassionally wear shades... well, I guess the answer's kind of rhetorical: of course I'll look like a douche. Which begs the more important question: should I care?

If I'm comfortable I can play longer, better, and have a more enjoyable time. I can easily pay attention to/hear what's occurring at the table, and I can remove both items whenever I choose to. Hell, I might even benefit from a wanna be WPT image.

Thoughts?

Dan

[/ QUOTE ]

Anything that will stop you from spazzing out after two dealers and starting to bluff 3-bet with the nut low every time it's your big blind has to be a good idea.

scrub

[stinkypete]

if you look like a douche you will stand out. if you stand out people will pay attention to you. if they pay attention to you, they pay attention to how you play. this is -EV.

it's better just to blend in.

of course, if you want to make douchebag advertising plays, it's best to look like a douchebag.

[Hermlord]

I wear sunglasses, for several reasons:

1) they are very good sunglasses (Revo's) so they actually improve clarity
2) I like to observe people without them knowing (in general and at poker)
3) it is fun, I go to B&M to have fun

Things I don't do:

1) treat low-stakes like the WSOP
2) stare people down for 5 minutes on every hand
3) bring down the table by acting ultra-serious
4) react well when dealers tell me they're dumb (cya, Mandalay Bay -- not that you were great to begin with)

[mdeck]

[ QUOTE ]
IMO IPods are fine at all limits, as (a) play can be boring and (b) many players are blithering idiots.


[/ QUOTE ]

Answer (b) is why I started bringing my iPod. Even though I feel like a douche, half the time I am at the tables I end up resenting everyone around me for their dumb comments/conversation, and as such it's easier to ignore them with the iPod than by tuning them out mentally.

[beetyjoose]

Having an Ipod can come in very handy for all of the above reasons. I've noticed that I try not to use it unless I'm getting really bored. As we all know boredom is a poker players worst enemy.

As far as sunglasses go, there are such a wide range of sunglass wearers that it is hard to lump them all together. Personally I hardly ever wear them because I can't find a pair that doesn't hurt my sight at the table. Obviously I'm sure if I tried I could find something, but I guess it's just not a priority for me.

We've all experienced the sunglassed-douchebags at the table who stand up and call for time during a 2-4 limit game. However I've played with many people who wear sunglasses and you hardly notice it. Mainly because they look comfortable at the table.

My advice would be if it makes you more comfortable, do it. Most people probably won't even notice/say anything about it. And if they do; as long as you are aware of your table image, it can only help you.

[Conspir8or]

[ QUOTE ]
Answer (b) is why I started bringing my iPod. Even though I feel like a douche, half the time I am at the tables I end up resenting everyone around me for their dumb comments/conversation, and as such it's easier to ignore them with the iPod than by tuning them out mentally.

[/ QUOTE ]

Oddly enough, this weekend at the Tropicana in AC, I saw something new: A guy was actually wearing earplugs, the orange foam ones you would normally take to a shooting range. He was focused on the action, though, and never missed his turn or a dealer cue. I guess it helped him tune out the surrounding casino din (our table was low on drivel).

A greater problem I have with some iPod users stems from the use of the stock earbuds that come with the unit. These are lousy. Good earphones do more than present sound accurately; they will also block out ambient sound and seal your own music in. iPod earbuds do neither. Many folks on subways or other noisy environments make them so loud that you can hear the tune across the train. I would find sitting at a poker table next to someone with their music at an inconsiderately loud level infinitely more irritating than an iPod user with decent headphones who once in a while missed a cue due to the music. Besides, if he or she is distracted and I am not, that helps me. /images/graemlins/smile.gif

(Due disclosure: When I bought my iPod, I also picked up a pair of Sony MDR-V600 headphones. They seal in the boom and shut out the room.)

[NYCNative]

[ QUOTE ]
Wear a goalie mask and drink chocolate milk through a small straw. Now that's an image.

[/ QUOTE ]nh

[dcmidnight]

Do whatever makes YOU the most comfortable and what makes YOU play the best. That should be all that matters here.

(BTW Cons - I have an older pair of the MDRV300s that I absolutely love, just too much for me to bring with me into the poker room. But my wife bought me the Bang&Olufsen earbuds for Xmas. Best poker purchase of the year so far. Can listen to my Ipod and still keep focused on the table.)

[SossMan]

[ QUOTE ]
Well, being a primarily online player has made me borderline ADD.

[/ QUOTE ]

borderline? who are you fooling?

more importantly, who cares what you look like? Of course some people will think you look douchey, but if you are comfy, who cares? Do whatever allows you to play your best. When are you going, I leave Thursday and will fly back Sunday.

[TakeMeToTheRiver]

[ QUOTE ]
i brought an ipod to playstation the other day

[/ QUOTE ]

Did the cops take it away?

[BottlesOf]

ipod is fine.

Shades are douchebag.

[JihadOnTheRiver]

Ipod: One earphone in. Two is just rude unless after a particularly bad beat and you need to listen to Slipknot loud enough to make your ears bleed.

Sunglasses: Douche, gay, whatever you wanna call it, they're for retards.

[mdeck]

I have some of those Sony headphones, I used them when listening to music at home though, they're too big and clunky to carry around with me.

When I bought my iPod, I went with some Etymotic ER-6i earbuds. They come with a flanged tip on the end that seals your ear much like an earplug, yet still allowing air to flow in and out. They also have a small amp built in for bass. They're expensive ($160 shipped), but the best pair of earbuds I've ever used.

[mostsmooth]

[ QUOTE ]
IMO IPods are fine at all limits, as (a) play can be boring and (b) many players are blithering idiots.

Sunglasses are for jackasses, and it's not close. That said, IMO it is OK to wear them at limits of 15/30 and up, as at that point the money becomes quite significant.

[/ QUOTE ]
who are you to judge how much money is significant to people?

[dtbog]

[ QUOTE ]
Did the cops take it away?

[/ QUOTE ]

ouch =)

-dB

[juanez]

Do sunglasses/Ipod automatically make someone a douche?

I could be wrong, but I think shades/iPods might be sort of like a gateway drug. Start using them when you are cool and you may just turn into a douche without even knowing it. /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[Stellastarr]

I bring my Ipod all the time. Helps me cope with the bad beats. /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[PokerBob]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
IMO IPods are fine at all limits, as (a) play can be boring and (b) many players are blithering idiots.

Sunglasses are for jackasses, and it's not close. That said, IMO it is OK to wear them at limits of 15/30 and up, as at that point the money becomes quite significant.

[/ QUOTE ]
who are you to judge how much money is significant to people?

[/ QUOTE ]

Uh, I'm PokerBob.

[scottso14]

[ QUOTE ]
Wear a goalie mask and drink chocolate milk through a small straw. Now that's an image.

[/ QUOTE ]

Now dont forget to wear those red oven mitts evone talks about shade and hockey goalie mask and image when are people going to realize over sized oven mitts from raking in the chips is what impresses the chicks
even better if you show up with a midget wearing a hockey goalie mask and oven mitts and after each win you clap your hands and the midget will walk up and reach ( as far as he can feet off the floor dangling ) and rake in the pot for you that my friend is big league all the way.
Please note the midget should be wearing the official
"Cambodian Midget Fighting League tee shirt"

[terrapin314]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Well, being a primarily online player has made me borderline ADD.

[/ QUOTE ]

borderline? who are you fooling?

more importantly, who cares what you look like? Of course some people will think you look douchey, but if you are comfy, who cares? Do whatever allows you to play your best. When are you going, I leave Thursday and will fly back Sunday.

[/ QUOTE ]

"douchey" - awesome word.

But, I have to agree. Don't worry so much about what others think of you.

Purely antecdotal, but the sunglass wearers at my limit, which is mostly lower, are terrible. I enjoy picking them off.

[TheCroShow]

i say wear what is comfortable for you. i like wearing them so i can hide the fact that i'm trying to check my opponent's hole cards. bill fillmaff told me to wear them for soul reading purposes.

seriously though, i say wear whatever is comfortable for you. i am generally a shy person and feel more comfortable reading someone's soul while wearing sunglasses. if the person looks back at me and my eyes are naked, i'm more likely to break my stare and blush. omg /images/graemlins/blush.gif i saw some dude wearing the hood/sunglasses @ 2/4, more power to him! haha. for a while there i could have sworn it was casey affleck.

there is an argument i have heard...who is the bigger douche? the man with the sunglasses @ 2/4? or the man making fun of the man with the sunglasses @ 2/4..discuss...