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

[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.


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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. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

(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]

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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.