Daniel Negreanu, the canadian PokerStars Pro, writes in his latest blog post that a ban of sunglasses in live tournaments should be introduced. There are probably many reasons why Daniel (and many others?) thinks that sunglasses shouldn't be allowed in live tournaments. However, these are the main reasons he is mentioning in his blog.
-Sunglasses make it easier to see marked cards
-Live poker i[...] Read more » PokerStars Pro against sunglasses in live tournaments
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Would help the pros and be a disadvantage for casual players. A pro can read his opponent better and in return can keep a poker face better than an amateur.
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Posted by Pitiless: I would agree with him, it makes the game exciting, for those watching at least!
definatly
but regarding readings... i find theres by far more then just the eyes. sure, for most of us its most easy because we are used to look in the eyes, but if you control body language then there shouldnt be a problem. well for those who cant control them self its a pain in the ass if they´re not allowed to wear sunglasses.
most annoying imo is if someone wears hooded sweatshirts + sunglasses and never speaks - so boring.
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Posted by shokaku: Would help the pros and be a disadvantage for casual players. A pro can read his opponent better and in return can keep a poker face better than an amateur.
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Posted by shokaku: Would help the pros and be a disadvantage for casual players. A pro can read his opponent better and in return can keep a poker face better than an amateur.
But there are lots of pros who wear sunglasses. Anyone who plays live poker regularly without sunglasses will be used to keeping a poker face regardless of the level they play at. Yes people who don't play poker very often will be at a disadvantage but then the fact that they don't play regularly was always going to be a disadvantage so your point isn't really valid.
The real people who will lose out if this campaign is successful is the online qualifiers. Those who are used to playing online poker but not live poker, regardless of whether they are pros, high stakes regs or people who qualify for a live event through a freeroll, will be at a huge disadvantage. Then again if you make the switch to live play that's something you should just have to prepare for.
What occurs to me though is if wearing sunglasses is so much of an advantage why wouldn't all the pros do it. Surely they don't refrain from wearing sunglasses simply cos they think it's fair. They obviously feel more comfortable without them. Maybe they can read others better, maybe they prefer to make eye contact, maybe they think they can appear stronger without them.
I personally would never wear sunglasses playing even at a high stakes event with pros but maybe that's cos I see poker as a social game. I agree with T3ddy that not speaking and not interacting with other players is dull and defies the point of live poker.
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I never wear them in live. Many at the tables I play do however. I was playing live on Sat,( lol got so wrapped up in it I missed the Drive the Dream tourny I qualified for ), and i was not only the only female there but the only one not wearing sunglasses. I was playing ring tables and came ahead fairly nicely.
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I remember HSP season 8 10th episode or something like that where Elezra once said towards one player in their table that sunglasses are for weak players and people never see bigshots like Ivey or Dwan wearing sunglasses . I have to admit hes got a point init.
And in one episode of Poker After Dark Daniel told to Hellmuth and Fergusson that they should cover their faces aswell and hide under the table and play poker like that lmao. (they were both wearing sunglasses and held their fists on face )
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I agree it would be better to watch, so put it to the TV Pros, but as for all tourns etc, nahh. Wha else does he want, hands on the table no hoods or caps, no drinks that calm nerves or secret pot session b4 the game, no head phones etc etc If he feels at a disadvantage then he can wear them too, simple solution.
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Hello everybody! You have not understood the guys. Daniel was just pissed because no brand of sunglasses does offered him a contract. I'm joking of course. See you soon for new posts lol!
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Posted by DAGOR: Hello everybody! You have not understood the guys. Daniel was just pissed because no brand of sunglasses does offered him a contract. I'm joking of course. See you soon for new posts lol!
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Posted by B1gfoot: I agree it would be better to watch, so put it to the TV Pros, but as for all tourns etc, nahh. Wha else does he want, hands on the table no hoods or caps, no drinks that calm nerves or secret pot session b4 the game, no head phones etc etc If he feels at a disadvantage then he can wear them too, simple solution.
It's a fake problem, as for me. It's a part of the game, it's a show, because I think live poker is a show. I red dlkiv doesn't ever wear it like her sister Isabelle Mercier
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'' shokaku 5/10/2010 10:10:21 AM GMT Would help the pros and be a disadvantage for casual players. A pro can read his opponent better and in return can keep a poker face better than an amateur.''
not all pro's are experts on reading peoples faces/body language, the only reason shades should be aloud is if their too ugly for tv lol would you want to be playing someone online using an odds calculator etc.. ? no you would rather they dint have that advantage so tbh the same should apply to all poker, no1 should be aloud any advantage over anyone else...no matter how small
Shades can be a disadvantage for the wearer as well. If he/she tries to be cool and wear mirrored lenses, an astute person has a pretty good chance of catching a glimpse of the wearers hole cards.
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After baning sunglasses there must be next steps... Baning free-falling clothes, pullovers, jackets, etc. Why? It's hiding changes of breathing pattern. Long sleeves keep smelt of stress inside. Bracelets and rings with "mind effecting" stones and other extraordinaries - forbidden... If one wins by watching into opponent's eyes why to play poker? Better go to bank pin the cashiers eyes with irresistible sight and.. go bux-impregnated.
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i always thought it was a cardgame with mathematical expectations, not 'who is best reading people game'. Alot of pros are where they are, because they read people very well and so play the man not the card. Its for them a great advantage, and a disadvantage for people who are great at poker but not at reading.. so to equil those advantages i think sunglasses should be allowed..
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I really hope that the sunglasses will be banned very soon. In my opinion it takes one of the interesting parts out of the game. And why make it less interesting?
), and i was not only the only female there but the only one not wearing sunglasses. I was playing ring tables and came ahead fairly nicely. 
. I have to admit hes got a point init.
