blonde poker forum

This thread came to mind having observed Mr Gryko at last week's GUKPT main event.

Do u put your earphones in and listen to your iPod, whilst playing poker?

If so, why?

Is it block out the annoying rants or voices from those around you?
Is it to help you focus / concentrate?
Is to break-up the boredom of a long session?
Or Is it cos u just love music?
Or for some other reason?

And what are your views on the downsides of using earphones (ie missed verbal tells etc)

...and even if u don't use earphones please pot your views...

Thanks

As well as potting your views, please post them too.
8-)

I like to listen to people at the table and engage in conversation. 

However, on several occasions recently I've been flanked by bad-beat story-tellers.  It's been so bad that I've had to walk away from the table for a few minutes for some peace.  It's worse when they try to engage you in the conversation and you have to reply.  If it's a quick story, or it has some element of interest I can handle it.  But when it's insistent whining, and they repeat themselves over and over again it makes sense to have an MP3 player to use.  But even then, I'd only use one earphone at a time, don't want to miss what's actually happening in the game.

I've just ordered one today (to replace my old clunky one).

I tried listening to an ipod whilst playing poker once. I lasted about 20 minutes, before banishing it forever.

why woz that?
Any paricular reason?

I will listen to music when....

• I don't know anyone at the table and there is little or no conversation
• There are players who I feel can get information out of me by asking questions, if I can't hear them I can't give anything away
• I am totally card dead and piss bored
• Ironside is singing

Im generally not a very chatty person and Ive found that when listening to music I soon blind off and am out early doors if I don't find any cards....if Im at the table with a few chatterboxes who like light hearted banter I focus more and make more plays, sometimes what the other people say will influence others decisions (bs like "I've got a tell on you..." and everyone else folds behind them) I'd rather ditch the music at tables like this

I don't listen to my iPod when playing.  If I have it with me and am listening to it proir to taking my seat, I always take it off when I sit down.  I'd rather listen to the banter.

Used to, but found I missed too much. Amazing how many players discuss hands straight after it has taken place, giving away masses of info

Listening to The Vengaboys gives me extra motivation, thats's why I listen to my ipod

I listen to Ipod with only 1 ear in normally, so I can still hear what everyones saying etc.

Unless im steaming, then i plug both ears and put it on full blast to block out anyone talking.

I watch tv shows and films tht iv downloaded on my blackberry whilst playing, just to ensure that i know absolutely nothing thats going on around me on the table.

Why not download some pr0n and watch that, recreate the online experience in the casino


Just me?

I do this to stop me steaming, most of the time I'm talking but it helps me lock-down sometimes when I've started to play badly or something...

mainly to block out the boredom, for example when iv been playing a lot live recently. or sometimes when its at the stage of a comp when i know i shouldnt be opening many hands but i just cant help myself without a little distraction. that and when the table is full of goons

Just found it offputting

I will listen to music if it is a tournament.

There can be long periods where there is no action and you can end up with some loud tosser at your table.

Also I do love music.


However in cash games I think you shouldn't wear earphones because you want to engage with your opponents, make them feel comfortable around you and playing with you. If they come for a fun game of poker and end up sitting with a bunch of miserable sods listening to music and "in the zone" they wont come back again.

This is obv live poker..


Online I just listen to radio 1. Edith Bowman on weekdays and on weekends I the chart show can't be beaten

top tip!

how do you format them for use on your blackberry?

Its to keep him going when he tanks for 40 seconds before every tiny decision.

I'll only ever listen to music if I've taken a beat or feel I may be playing too fast (as in opening too many hands) to calm me down and keep me patient for a while.

I often have my headphones on but no music on because it allows you to pretend you cant hear the shit people talk and then pick up on what you think is important.

I do listen to music when i'm card dead or as someone said the table doesn't really have anyone for me to talk like mad to lol.

I normally listen to music with just the one ear in, I can still hear people if i need to, and it relaxes me plus I love music.

Played the deepstack at DTD a couple of weeks back and watched a film for the first time while playin, think I will defo be doing it again as it made the time pass, I could still play the right hands and stopped me being tempted to muck about with shit. Killed my phone battery though!

On the downside I have missed action by having an ear phone in, short at the final, folds to me, easy shove without really looking at my cards, blinds fold, sweet ive nicked the blinds................................... on their backs, oh man you could have made him push his chips in dealer, come on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! my  3h 7c sure made it against the  Jh Jd of the chipleader who was so poor he thought shoving 60BB at the final was the only way to play jacks  ;D :'(

I make a regular point of tapping people on the arm when they wear earphones, asking them to remove them, then repeating what I have just said as i feel it unfair that they should miss out on my constant verbal repartee. I feel they appreciate that extra effort to include them.

Lol

I think i would have to explain that i had no interest in what you were saying.

Occasionally, especially during a long tournament I'll wear ear buds, mostly just to ward off bordem and normally I'll only have one ear in with the music quite low so I can still hear whats going on at the table.  If you're going to wear them then make sure you keep track of the action, nothing is more irritating than a dealer having to repeat everything for the bloke bopping away to music and not paying attention.