Initially, clothing served just one practical function: to keep us warm. Then the art of dance emerged, a phenomenon whose name was unknown at the time. Suddenly, what you wore became more significant than your culinary preferences. Fashion took center stage, turning clothing into a representation of one's identity. Those who became fashion icons began to act as walking advertisements.
And then came the psychology.
Table of Contents
- You Are What You Wear?
- Clothing Style vs Poker Play
- Fashion Accessories: The Most Unflattering and Unusual Styles
- Banned Clothing and Accessories
- Understanding the Dress Code at Final Tables in Poker
- Are Poker Players Truly Governed by Superstitions?
- Politics and Religion in Poker?
- The Debate Surrounding Sponsored and Branded Apparel
You Are What You Wear?
Did you know that wearing a Superman t-shirt could make you feel more powerful?
If that seems unbelievable, consider the case of journalist A. J. Jacobs, who spent an entire year adhering strictly to the Bible's teachings, even donning only white garments. He still often dresses in a way reminiscent of Jesus because it brings him feelings of joy, lightness, and purity.
Does it really make a difference if you believe you’re wearing a doctor’s coat? An insightful article published in 2012 in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology revealed that it does. The study concluded that participants exhibited increased focus when they thought they were adorned in a physician's coat rather than one worn by an artist.
One more study for you.
A survey conducted by Holiday Inn Express revealed that a staggering 90% of their guests felt that looking polished and professional is crucial for work.
What if poker was your profession?
Could your clothing selections actually increase your winnings by a few big blinds each hour?
Clothing Style vs Poker Play
We conducted interviews with ten of the most stylish individuals in poker, asking them about their fashion mishaps and surprises. Here’s what they shared.
Does your attire at the poker table influence your image to such an extent that it alters how opponents approach the game against you?
A significant 90% of the participants felt that your dressing style at the poker table impacts how your competitors play against you. However, many professionals indicated that this influence mainly applies when competing against casual players, rather than in matches between professionals. poker “The way you present yourself at the table does shape the way your opponents engage with you,” asserted Shannon Shorr, a former nominee for the Global Poker Index Player of the Decade’s Top 10. “We all unconsciously make judgments based on the little information available to us, and appearance plays a considerable role in that.”
The way you dress can greatly influence the quick judgments people make about you. Some professionals intentionally use their appearance to mislead their opponents into underestimating their skills.
“I dress in a bonnet, a cozy sweater, and sweatpants so that other players mistake me for an 'Internet player,'” Jean-Marie Vandeborne remarked. “This gives them the impression that I bluff more than I actually do.”
“There are players who cleverly manipulate others' perceptions by their choice of clothing,” Shorr explained.
Ben Wilinofsky, a former champion of the European Poker Tour (EPT), is well-known for his stealthy fashion sense.
“I strive to present myself as both wealthy and somewhat foolish, which is only somewhat accurate,” Wilinofsky confessed.
However, dressing in a particular way can backfire for a professional player, especially if they are sponsored.
“One factor that could influence how others play against me is if they don't know me but recognize my 888 logo, leading them to assume I'm a professional player,” shared one of the most successful online multi-table tournament players.
Would you ever consider wearing specific clothing or accessories just to gain an edge at the table? If so, what would it be and why?
The feedback from this survey was not as clear-cut as the previous one; about 60% said they would contemplate wearing items for an advantage at the poker table.
Sean Jazayeri, a member of the World Poker Tour (WPT) Champions Club, believes that sporting sunglasses gives him a beneficial edge:
“Sunglasses provide an advantage, enabling me to observe my opponents without them realizing,” Jazayeri stated during large tournaments.
Ben Wilinofsky opts for a scarf to enhance his gameplay.
“Sometimes, I wear a scarf to conceal my mouth,” Wilinofsky mentioned. “I'm not the most socially adept person, so it makes me feel more at ease when I know my facial expressions aren’t giving anything away.”
WPT Champions Club member, Matas Cimbolas, finds that donning unconventional hats encourages players to talk to him, which helps ease the atmosphere, working to his benefit.
“I enjoy wearing hats, and often players strike up conversations with me about them during games,” Cimbolas remarked.
Shannon Shorr also appreciates the idea of sporting quirky themed hats or fun card protectors. While 888 Ambassador Natalie Hof doesn’t believe in going all-out in her attire, she recognizes that some women might enjoy a strategic advantage over men based on their clothing choices.
“I wouldn’t do it myself, but I believe that wearing alluring clothing could indeed influence how some guys play against a woman,” Hof suggested.
Have you ever experienced instances where certain garments or accessories negatively affected your gameplay?
Fashion Accessories: The Most Unflattering and Unusual Styles
Only approximately 30% of survey participants acknowledged that an article of clothing or an accessory impacted their performance negatively.
Natalie Hof dislikes wearing outfits that leave her neck exposed and is not a fan of sunglasses.
“Once, a long time ago, I played with sunglasses and misjudged the board, which cost me dearly,” recounted Moorman.
Who would you say is the worst-dressed player you’ve encountered in the poker world?
Jean-Marie Vandeborne believes that the title for the worst-dressed player could be held jointly by Phil Hellmuth and Davidi Kitai. Natalie Hof is not fond of Elky's fashion choices but admits he has a pleasant personality. Meanwhile, Ben Wilinofsky has a definite opinion on who could use some fashion advice.
“Fashion is highly subjective, so I don't think there’s a definitive 'worst dressed' label as long as you're content with your own appearance,” Wilinofsky noted, before adding, “but definitely the title for the worst dressed player belongs to Dominik Nitsche.”
However, none of these renowned players has ever taken a seat at a poker table with a baby in tow.
“The most bizarre sight I encountered was one summer in Vegas,” Matas Cimbolas recounted. “A guy was seated at the tournament with a fake baby strapped to his belly in a baby carrier.”
If you could eliminate any clothing item or accessory from the poker scene, what would it be and why?
Banned Clothing and Accessories
Players were unanimous in stating that anything obstructing the neck or eyes should be prohibited. Only one participant felt that there was no need for a ban on any items.
Theme #1: Anything That Obscures the Head & Neck
Two themes stood out.
A significant 60% of respondents wanted to see sunglasses banned, while 20% called for a ban on scarves and hoods. The general opinion was that any item that blocked visibility of the upper half of a player's face takes away a critical aspect of poker — the ability to read live tells.
“Any item that covers the head can be detrimental to the integrity of the game,” asserted Ludovic Jonsen, a former winner of the United Kingdom and Ireland Poker Tour (UKIPT).
“I am against sunglasses and scarves — essentially anything that hides the face,” stated Kenny Hallaert, a former WSOP Nov Niner and Tournament Director. “Controlling one's facial emotions at a poker table is a skill that should not be hindered during gameplay.”
Both 888 Ambassador and Shannon Shorr align with Hallaert’s perspective.
“Sunglasses undermine the essence of the game,” Moorman commented.
“I would eliminate sunglasses to avoid the drama and delays caused by players fiddling with them during a hand,” Shorr explained.
Theme #2: Anything That Reduces Sociability
Sean Jazayeri advocated for banning phones and earphones at the table to boost engagement among players. Similarly, John Eames, a former winner of the World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOPC) Main Event, expressed a desire to see headphones banned, believing that would encourage more conversations and create a more enjoyable and relaxed atmosphere during games.
Do you think players should put in more effort regarding their appearance at final tables? What’s your reasoning?
Understanding the Dress Code at Final Tables in Poker
Seventy percent of those surveyed agreed on the importance of dressing well for final tables, primarily to draw more casual players into the scene. However, a few dissenters had differing viewpoints.
“Players participate for their own reasons, not for the industry's sake,” commented Jean-Marie Vandeborne. “Ultimately, comfort matters more, so I don’t believe they need to make an effort regarding how they look.”
“There was a time when I definitely would have argued that it was important for players to dress nicely at final tables,” reflected Shannon Shorr. “Today, I think each player should simply dress in a way that reflects their desired image and brings them happiness. One of poker's appeals is its lack of a formal dress code, allowing anyone to participate.”
Do you have any clothing or accessory-related superstitions in relation to poker?
Are Poker Players Truly Governed by Superstitions?
Only a small number of players, three to be precise, confessed to having superstitions related to their attire, and two of them indicated these were relics of the past. Ludovic Jonsen used to sport a lucky sweater, Natalie Hof had a ring given by her mother she used to wear, while Ben Wilinofsky is the only one still clinging to his superstition. His opponents might not be thrilled with this choice.
I guess poker players aren’t superstitious .
“I have been wearing the same pair of underwear since winning the EPT in Berlin,” Wilinofsky admitted.
Should players be permitted to display political or religious messages on their clothing at the poker table?
Politics and Religion in Poker?
This query resulted in a divided opinion among panelists; however, there was a common thread in their responses. Some felt it was acceptable as long as the statements were not offensive. Yet, many agreed that it would be challenging for Tournament Directors to regulate, leading to inconsistencies across events.
“I genuinely believe that political or religious expressions on clothing can be offensive and may lead to significant conflicts among players from various backgrounds with different opinions, beliefs, and ideas,” Matas Cimbolas asserted. “I believe strict regulations would need to be implemented by Tournament Directors.”
Discover how your outfit influences the perceptions of other players at the poker table and gain insights from professionals on how to leverage this to your advantage.
Initially, clothing served the basic function of keeping us warm, but with the advent of dance and social interactions, it took on a whole new significance. Attire became a critical point of focus, often outweighing dietary choices. Fashion transformed into a means of expression, turning individuals into visual representations of various messages.
Fashion Accessories, Unfortunate and Outlandish Outfits
The Proper Dress Code for Final Table Events
Are poker players genuinely superstitious about their attire?
The Debate Surrounding Sponsored and Branded Apparel
The Impact of Sponsored or Branded Apparel
Have you ever noticed that wearing a Superman t-shirt can make you feel more powerful?
If that sounds unbelievable to you, consider the case of A.J. Jacobs, an American author who spent an entire year meticulously adhering to all the rules found in the Bible, choosing to wear only white clothing. He continues to don similar attire because it contributes to his feelings of joy and purity.
Does it really make a difference if you believe you’re dressed in a doctor’s white coat? According to research published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology in 2012, it appears to be significant. The study indicated that participants displayed increased focus when they believed they were wearing a doctor’s coat rather than one typically associated with an artist.
A survey conducted by Holiday Inn Express showed that a staggering 90% of their guests feel that dressing well for work is important.
Could your clothing choices potentially lead to winning a few additional big blinds per hour?
We gathered a selection of ten of the most stylish poker players, both women and men, to discuss their fashion missteps and triumphs, and here’s what they had to share.
Does your attire at the poker table alter how other players perceive you to the extent that it influences their strategies against you?
An impressive 90% of respondents felt that dressing style plays a crucial role in how opponents choose to engage with you during the game. However, most professional players noted that this influence is primarily felt when playing against casual gamers rather than fellow pros.
"Your appearance at the table plays a significant role in how your competitors conduct themselves,\" observed Shannon Shorr, a former nominee for the Global Poker Index Player of the Decade, Top 10. \"We all subconsciously make judgments about others based on the minimal information available to us, and appearance is a key factor in this process.\"
The impact of your clothing on quick assessments is so notable that some experts intentionally use their style to mislead opponents into perceiving them as less competent.