[Limit Breaker]

I was watching ESPN last night and they replayed the 2004 final table with commentary from Greg Raymer. I've seen the replay of the event before but never with commentary.

I really enjoyed watching how he controlled that table. He looks so intimidating and those glasses really do work. Whenever he's pushing those $25000 stacks he always looks at his opponent (or his glasses do). I found that interesting. I think most players look at the chips they are pushing in.

So basically I wanted to discuss the advantages of glasses. I don't use them. Never have and will consider using them. One obvious advantage is that it hides your reactions well, and you can face one way but look another.

But there are some great players who don't use glasses:

Dan Harrington (possibly the best poker face), Daniel Negraneau, Barry Greenstein comes to mind.

[jojobinks]

i'd wear them if i knew i was seriously outclassed. i think they help protect you from being read. not by amateurs, though. i've never worn them, but i guess i would if i were playing wpt or wsop events.

i guess...

[2_hotty]

I only wear them when I play online.

Seriously though, I wear them everytime. I don't wear them to hide my reactions, or tells, I wear them so I can look around the table without anyone knowing where I'm looking. People act differently when they know you're watching them. If they have no idea, it's a lot easier to pick up little things.

[dad604]

I don't wear them. All I need is to misread my own cards, that can be costly.

[chipper57AA]

One obvious advantage is that it hides your reactions well, and you can face one way but look another

Eye's are only a small part of your face. You can hide your eyes but your facial expressions can also give away a lot as well.

Consider wearing a full face hockey mask with built in shaded eye sockets to your next poker game. That way you can grimace all you want when you see a crappy flop.

[pager23]

I'm going to be entering my first live tournament (aside from home games) in a couple weeks, and I'm wondering if I should be wearing glasses, a hat, sit on my hands, etc.

Any other advice?

Actually, I'll probably be pretty hard to read due to the fact that I'll have completely psyched myself out...

[smoore]

I wear eyeglasses so sunglasses are out of the question. I would only wear them if I thought I was outclassed.

I wear a baseball hat all the time. It definitely helps at a poker table, just to shade your eyes. Also, the forehead is the hardest to control facial muscle.

Before you go, decide what you're going to do with your hands. Hands are a HUGE source of tells. You're not going to be able to do much about them shaking, only experience takes care of that. But basically, practice getting your cards, squeezing them and then protecting them with your bauble or a chip. Do this over and over and over and OVER before you go. You will have quite a bit to think about, better make sure that the one thing EVERY player at the table is looking at will be done by rote.

Heh, as an aside, I have a tell on one of my home game regulars:

Bet with right hand: decent hand or a draw/semibluff
Bet with left hand: MONSTER
Bet with both hands: bluff

I'm NEVER going to tell him

[poker_princess]

Do whatever makes you feel comfortable. If you feel that not having the glasses will give away to much then bring them. You can also use them to drstract players. Putting them on and takin them off all the time no mattter what your hand is will get players to think everytime you bet or check.

[dad604]

smoore, you can have your prescription glass tinted if you really need to hide your eyes.

[Limit Breaker]

Originally Posted by smoore

Heh, as an aside, I have a tell on one of my home game regulars:

Bet with right hand: decent hand or a draw/semibluff
Bet with left hand: MONSTER
Bet with both hands: bluff

I'm NEVER going to tell him

I find the most obvious physical tell is speech pattern. I look for loudmouths at the table. Many subconsciously just shut up when bluffing.

Also, when someone is shortstacked and bets, I sometimes ask how much they have. The Bluffers generally try to to aphease me by counting their chips to represent that they aren't afraid of a call. You can detect quivers in their voice because no one really likes counting their chips when they're bluffing because they're afraid of being put all-in.

Those holding good hands usually don't bother counting or saying anything.