Why do people wear sunglasses in low-limit and mid-limit holdem games?

[Dan Mezick]

Furthermore, I believe sunglasses and hats to a lesser extent actually hurt the results of the potentially best players. These potentialy great players wearing these items actually have a subtle force at work on them. The force is belief that:

1. They are emitting tells that need to be covered up;

2. They are wearing sunglasses & hats and at some level believe "they have that problem/leak covered", leading to

3. A paradox and irony: they actually are less disciplined in how they carry themselves at the table because they believe (2) and ironically emit more tells with body language (pausing, chip manipulaton behavior, speaking)

You dont see Howard Lederer, Gus Hansen or Phil Ivey wearing shades and hats, although Ivey wears them in the early stages of tournaments.

I suspect there is a very strong reason why the top ot the top pros are not wearing all this headgear.

[steamboatin]

I wear a hat because I am afraid the light reflecting from my shiny bald head will fry someone's retina, like the warning on a CD or DVD player.

[turnipmonster]

I was thinking the exact same thing.

--turnipmonster

[Cpt Spaulding]

I guess that would be true, but if they are playing for fun and to socialize, then winning isn't a factor in why they are playing....So, why would they care who is at the table? ....You are putting two completely different motivations for playing together here....So, I may not quite understand what your point is here.....

[Cpt Spaulding]

Phil Hellmuth usually wears a hat and glasses...Want him at your table?

[Cpt Spaulding]

good points there

[MrTeddyKGB]

I wear glasses and a hat and headphones because mid level players always think that i am playing more tricky that I am which lets me bet my hands less deceptivly. Anytime I can get free action I take it. Only an idiot would judge someone by his clothes.

[astroglide]

Only an idiot would judge someone by his clothes.

gimme a break. virtually everybody judges people by their clothes, including you.

[andyfox]

Because of Chris Moneymaker. They think it's cool.

[Cpt Spaulding]

Not everyone judges by clothes...There are people out there that can see past crap like that...Hard to grasp I know...but it is true. I never make judgements anyway...I make assesments.