Sunglasses, Hats, and Headphones

Have you ever watched a poker game and noticed that some payer were wearing sunglasses, hats, or headphones? Whether you're at a casino, playing at home, or watching poker on TV, some players do this - but have you ever wondered why?


It is because people display subconscious 'tells' when they see their cards, or the other cards on the table. Many of these signs are shown through their eyes. They don't want other players to read their tells, so they hide their eyes from the sight of the other players.

One benefit of wearing sunglasses while playing poker? You don’t want people to know when you’re checking out their eyes. Sunglasses allow you to look without being obvious. This makes it easier to try and read the other players at the table.

A negative aspect - Your sunglasses can reflect your hand. Be careful while choosing a pair. If you’re not careful your cool shades can expose your cards to careful observers with good vision. This is especially true of the mirrored kind.

Hats also help in keeping faces hidden and hiding tells. With the combination of a hat and a pair of sunglasses, you're pretty covered up out there!

They might be the most famous sunglasses in poker -- those green, lizard-eye specs that Greg Raymer bought at Disney World and wore right into winning $5 million and the World Series of Poker championship in 2004.

Funny thing is, they were just supposed to be a joke. A one-time thing at the 2002 main event. Put them on, people would laugh, the tension would break.

"But the first time I put them on,'' Raymer explains, "a guy kind of freaked out. 'What the hell's going on?' And he threw his hand away. I'd raised him, and while he was thinking, I put the glasses on. He jumped out of his chair when he saw them.

"At that point, I said there's a little something to these glasses other than a one-time joke. I continued to wear them when I played a hand. I've always found there are several opponents who are very uncomfortable. They don't want to play against you when you're wearing glasses.''

- from ESPN


Headphones are worn to help block all the additional noises and distractions around you. This can be especially helpful while playing poker at a loud, busy casino.


Do you wear sunglasses while you play poker? Do you consider it unfair?

Poker Night Snacks

Whether you do a poker night every weekend with friends, or ever month - odds are, it will be your turn to host sooner or later. We've got a good selection of snacks listed below - some are easy (store bought), and some involve a bit of work by you!

Let's start with a few quick and easy snack ideas:
- fruit or veggie trays from the grocery store
- chips, pretzels, popcorn, peanuts
- nacho chips and salsa


Going for a bit more of a meal? Why not grab a pizza, or wings from your favorite local restaurant!

Jalapeno Popper Dip

 Some snack ideas that require a bit of work, but are worth it:
- nachos - click here for a delicious recipe
- wings, meatballs, mozzarella sticks, or other frozen finger foods
- store made or homemade garlic bread
- chip dips - click here for a great Jalapeno Popper Dip (super easy!)
- maple glazed almonds - click here to see how to make them

If you are serving or allowing guests to bring alcohol, always make sure that there is food, water and other non-alcoholic beverages available at all times.

Make sure you have plenty of napkins to go around too, you don't want the cards to get marked or dirty!



Here's an awesome cupcake display if you're feeling adventurous too!

How often do you host poker nights? Do you provide snacks, or does everyone bring something?

World Poker Tour

Ever dreamed of playing in the World Poker Tour (WPT)? As a poker player of any skill level, who hasn't?

The World Poker Tour was started in 2002, with the total prize pool at $1,416,200.00. The 2013 WPT has a prize pool of $3,660,500.00

Each season, a Player of The Year (POY) is established, awarding the WPT Player of The Year, based on a points system. WPT Player of the Year points are awarded based on the total prizepool of the tournament. In the event of a tie in a given Season, the player who earns the most money in such Season will win WPT Player of the Year for such Season.

In many ways, the World Poker Tour is the Superbowl of the poker community.

So - what if you did want to enter the WPT? Here's what you need to know:

It is not necessary to be a poker professional, but candidates do need to be at least 21 years of ages in some of the locales. Players must also pay an entrance fee, which may vary by location. Because some of these fees coupled with the buy-in can be substantial, only serious players typically play at these events. Finally, players must first win a series of satellite tournaments in order to qualify for the main events. The entrance fee and buy-in for the satellite events are much less than the official tour games. Once at the table, the standard poker rules apply and players may be disqualified for infractions such as profanity, cheating and other inappropriate behaviors.

Let's talk winnings...

First, the winner will have their tournament entrance fee refunded. These fees are often in the hundreds of dollars, which does not include the buy-in for the tournament. They also typically have their hotel stay and related charges such as dining and airfare reimbursed as well. This applies to the main events and not the satellite tournaments. The prizes for the tournaments range from $100,000 to well over $4 million. Many of the individuals that play at this level are pros at the game and this is their singular source of income. Some of the higher level players also become sought after guest speakers and commentators at poker events around the world.



2013 World Poker Tour at the Bellagio in Las Vegas

Dates	May 19 - 26, 2012
Final Table Date	May 26, 2012
Buy-In	$25,000 + $500
Number of Entrants	152
Prize Pool	$3,660,500

 

Do you follow the World Poker Tour? If so, how long have you been following it for?

How Do You Play Poker, Anyways?

Do you feel like this when you get invited to play poker? Let us help you.

Here are a couple handy things to keep in mind when learning how to play:

- There's a big difference between playing poker in a casino and playing at a friend's home: There is virtually no joking around and the atmosphere can be intense while at a casino. When playing in a more casual setting, you can feel free to jest, tease and really let loose during the game.

-  Even if you have a good hand, you will need to weigh that against the chances that your opponent has a better hand.

- The more you are into the game, the easier it will be to learn the language of your opponents.

- Below, an example of poker hands and what they include:

- The best time to fold is when you see that your hand is a losing one and that those around you are exhibiting a confidence that you do not share.

- Not only is it possible to read the body language of others as you sit at the poker table, it is a key component of the game. For instance, if someone sits up very straight as they place their bets they likely have great confidence in their hand. The same is true if the player is chatting a lot during the game or smiling at the other players. On the other hand, players that roll their eyes or take deeps breaths are more likely to have fairly weak hands.

- The most common hand is a no-pair which is also referred to high-card. This means that there are no pairs, no flush and no other ‘playable’ sequence in the hand. Thus, all you are really left with is a hand with a high-card. This hand is dealt about 50% of the time.


These are some great tips to get you started in learning how to master the game of poker. For more tips, and greater detail, check out our website articles here.

Online Poker or Regular Poker?

Did you know that poker was one of the first games that was widely available online? About 10 million Americans play poker online each year via about 550 gaming sites. The top sites as of 2012 were: PokerStars, PartyPoker and iPoker

What's more difficult: online poker or regular poker? Many people find that online poker is much more difficult than the face-to-face game because players are not given the opportunity to read the body language of their competitors. Gathering these subtle cues are important to the game of poker and those that sit behind a computer as they play the game are at a clear disadvantage.

Can you make money playing online poker?
Like any other casino game, it is actually possible to make money via playing poker online. The secret is to be cautious about providing your financial information online while also know when to walk away from gaming prior to it being an addictive activity.
First, make sure that the casino site that you are using is reputable. One of the things that you can look for is overall popularity of the site. The ones that have a lot of continual traffic tend to be well-respected and legitimate. Also, make sure that you can start your gaming with only a small initial investment. You should check to see that the site is recognized by the Poker Players Alliance, which maintains a listing of trustworthy sites.
It is important to investigate whether online poker is legal in the area in which you live. Some jurisdictions have laws that forbid online poker and you may face stiff fines for participating in this activity.

The largest online poker prize of all time was just over $2 million. More typical prizes are in the range of a few hundred dollars.

Looking for an alternative to online and regular poker? Check out our electronic poker games on our website - perfect for the car, on the train, or anywhere else you can't get a poker game going or don't have an internet connection!


Have you ever played online poker? Do you like online or regular poker better?

Poker Man Caves

Let's talk man caves. Whether you're a lady or a man, you've been in one at some time. While they are gaining in popularity over the recent years, man caves are the ultimate guy hangout - custom built according to what you're into.

Throughout this blog post you will find some great poker or casino themed man caves that we loved - like the one below - it's simple, yet effective. There's plenty of room for multiple poker games to happen, and not a lot of distractions on the walls.

Man Cave building tips:

- Find a focal point for your man cave.  Your focal point can be your beloved TV, workbench, trophy case, audio system, putting green or just about anything that you are passionate about.  Your focal point will help you decide on your theme.

- Once you have your focal point, figure out where you want to place it in the room. This allows you to plan around your focal point to complete your room plan.

When building your man cave, be sure to carefully think of the area in your home that you are choosing, any furniture, your budget, and any additional decor or items you will need.

There is tons of inspiration online to help you theme, build and design your perfect area. If you're doing a poker themed man cave, check out our website for items to help fill it- we have poker tables, chips, dice, and much more.

What would be your ultimate man cave? Casino or poker themed? Let us know what your theme would be, and what the main feature would be by leaving a comment.

Who makes the rules in a poker game?

This blog post, we want to bring together some great short articles from our website and highlight the types of poker games there are.

Let's start with some basics... Who makes the rules of a poker game? How long has poker been around for? Who has the final say at the rules during poker night? Read on to find out...

For standard and generally accepted games of poker, the rules of the game are dictated by governing bodies such as the World Series of Poker and the International Federation of Poker. Because the game of poker has been in existence for nearly 200 years, the base rules (for example, what is a flush, the type of deck used, etc) have remained consistent through the years. For the at-home poker player, the decision maker when it comes to ancillary rules is the host of the game. In essence, the philosophy is “My house, my rules”. This does not mean that essential poker rules may be usurped, but it does mean that the host can tack on additional house rules.

So are the Casino poker rules different than the rules you would use at home? We have some tips on etiquette for when you're out at the Casino playing poker.

While the rules of a casino game of poker are the same as the version you would play at home, there are some extra tips that you need to know when playing in a public forum. First, you should only act when it is your turn and not before it is your turn.  Be sure not to throw your tips into the pot and instead place them in front of you and allow the dealer to pull them into the pot. You should also be sure to make sure your cards that are on the table are clearly visible at all times. If you win a pot, you should not make a grab for your winnings and instead wait for the dealer to push them towards you.  Further, it is customary to tip the dealer a small portion of your winnings.

 
Now we will cover some basics of the very popular poker game - Texas Hold 'Em:

Texas Hold ‘Em is one of the most popular poker games in the world and is a favorite at tournaments. This game is played with nine or ten players, with each player getting two cards to hold and then five community cards are dealt face up on the table. The goal is to create the best five card hand given the seven cards that you now have available. Following the first round of betting, three cards are now dealt face up on the table and this is known as the ‘flop’. These are also community cards and another round of betting ensues. Next, a fourth card (referred to as the ‘turn’) is dealt face up on the table and leads to another round of betting. A fifth and final card will now be dealt and this is called the ‘river’, with final betting following.


Find more great articles on our website by clicking here.

2012 Holiday Gift Guide!

At BestProPokerSupplies.com, we have tons of quality Poker products at great prices, for every price range and budget.

Check out our 2012 Holiday Gift Guide - we have ideas for everyone on your list, including the person who's already got everything! We're going to break it down by price ranges, to help you find what's best for everyone on your list. Big ideas that are sure to please, all at discount prices!


Under $25

6 Deck Card Shuffler - Battery operated. It shuffles standard or bridge sized playing cards. It will definitely help your hands from shuffling for long periods.

500 Chip Aluminum Poker Chip Case - We have taken great care to ensure this case has the upgraded strength where required, including a wooden base for the chip trays.This is the chip case that will last a lifetime.

19mm A Grade Serialized Set of Casino Dice-Red - Precision casino dice are manufactured to exacting standards from high-quality plastic material that is free from defects. The spots on their faces are made flush to ensure there is no imbalance to the dice.

$25 - $50

200 Texas Hold'Em 11.5 gram Poker Chip Set w/Clear Covered Aluminum Case - This set includes 2 decks of cards, and 5 dice. The detail on these chips is flawless and their unique design makes them great for casinos and home style play alike. This poker chip set is truly a must have for any Texas Hold'em Poker player!

Solid Wood Poker Chip Carousel - The capacity of this carousel is 200 chips. This carousel will easily hold 25 casino sized 39 mm chips in each slot. There is also space for two decks of playing cards.

Poker Chip Cases 750 pieces Mahogany with High Lacquer Finish - The top rack in this case comfortably holds 450 chips as the bottom rack holds 300 chips for a total chip capacity of 750. Also on the bottom there is enough space for 2 decks of cards and a dealer button for all your Texas Holdem games.

 

$50 - $100

Paulson Tophat & Cane Clay Poker Chips $25 x 50 Chips - Because of Paulson expertise in the casino clay poker chip industry, these Paulson Classic clay poker chips feature the same sound, feel, and look as the poker chips used by many Las Vegas casinos.These clay poker chips will take your home poker game to the next level and your friend will definately be impressed by your investment.

1000 Casino Las Vegas 12g Coin Inlay Poker Chip Set w/ Aluminum Case - Six different denominations complete this chip set, including $1, $5, $25, $100, $500, & $1000. Each denomination has its own color. Also engraved in the coin of each chip is each card suit. No detail was spared in this highly unique and durable poker chip series.

500 U.S. Air Force Clay Filled 11.5 gram Poker Chip Set w/Custom Case - A unique design of black stripes will make your poker chips stand out. These have a rare 1.3 inch inlay, allowing for larger graphic surface area. The graphics feature detail-rich U.S. Air Force artwork. The quality of these permanent, water-proof labels is unbeatable and can be compared to professional casino chips.

$100 - $200

*BRAND NEW TO BPPS.com* 200 Nevada Jack 10 Gram Poker Chip Set w/ Carousel - These world renowned Nevada Jack poker chips are the closest thing to a casino chip that you are going to get outside of Vegas. They have a highly textured face and an extremely cool design depicting a poker playing skull holding ""The dead man's hand"".

Electronic Games - Portable Video Poker Mega Touch Screen 7-in-1 - Great for on the road or at home! Thanks to this Touch Screen Mega 7-in-1 Video Poker Game, "what happens in Vegas" can now happen anywhere you wander. This will make a great gift for the whole family!  

 $200 - $500

*BRAND NEW TO BPPS.com* 500 Nevada Jack Poker Chip Set w/ Black Mahogany Case - These ceramic chips have a textured surface and the graphics are printed directly on the chip as opposed to an inlay or sticker used on Clay Chips. This set comes with 500 ceramic chips, 2 decks of cards, a dealer button, and an extremely nice Black Mahogany wooden case.

Professional Texas Holdem Home Poker Table with Dealer Position - Full size table: 9 player positions, 9 built in cup holders, dealer position, padded armrest, padded felt top, convenient hinged wooden legs.

$500+

19 inch Roulette Wheel - This is the highest quality wood roulette wheel available. This is the kind you find in a real casino

Blackjack Table (79" x 46" x 36") - Top quality casino felt, built in metal chip tray with cover and lock, money slot, storage compartment for accessories, casino grade table, metal foot rail, Blackjack Table comes standard with green felt and black vinyl.

 

We are certain that our 2012 Holiday Gift Guide will help you complete your shopping - or maybe do a little shopping for yourself! See something you like on this list, or anywhere on the BPPS.com website? Add it to your wishlist on the website!

 Do you have Poker supplies on your holiday list?

Top Winners in WPT

Have you ever wondered who is the top winner in the World Poker Tour?
We have your answer here! But before we give you the answer... take a guess at the amount he has won over his WPT career.




The top earner is Carlos Mortensen, from Henderson, Nevada.
He has earned over $10,000,000 (yes, 10 million dollars!) over the course of his professional poker playing career, $5,766,252 of which has been earned in WPT games.
Carlos Mortensen first started playing poker in 1997, and entered the WPT scene in 2001. He has 16 first place finishes.

Other top 5 earners in the WPT series:
2- Daniel Negreanu
3- Michael Mizrachi
4- Tuan Le
5- Gus Hansen
view the full list of top 100 WPT winners here.

What's the largest pot you've ever won at a poker game?

Product of the week:

6 Deck Card Shuffler

Connect with us

Welcome to our BestProPokerSupplies.com blog!
This is the first of many blog posts, all about the best Poker tips, the latest news and info in the Poker world!

There are many ways to connect with us and stay in the know. Make sure you like our Facebook  fan page, and see what's new every day in the Poker scene. Also, follow us on Twitter if you prefer to stay connected that way!

Each week, we will feature one of our products from the website. We have items for every budget, and some great gift ideas for all your holiday shopping.

Product of the week:

 

PAULSON R National Poker Series CLAY POKER CHIPS